Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00094004

Description Activated On:  5/29/2025 1:10:29 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

 To assist the Fire Forester in limiting the impact of wildfire in the district through an organized program of forest fire prevention, pre-suppression and suppression activities. Provides the best possible services to the general public and maintains the district fire equipment and facilities by utilizing skills and job knowledge efficiently and effectively.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Forest Fire Protection

1. Assist in fire prevention activities.
2. Patrol for and suppress wildfires.
3. Assist with investigating wildfires and complete accurate and timely reports.
4. Attend wildfire training courses.
5. Serve as fire tower lookout when necessary.
6. Operate and maintain firefighting equipment, fire towers and vehicles.
7. Assist other agencies in wildfire suppression activities as needed.
8. Participates in the District's Prescribed Fire Program.

Equipment Operation

1. Operate fire engines.
2. Operate light trucks to transport personnel and equipment.
3. Operates chainsaw, weed wacker, brush saw, leaf blower and portable pumps.
4. Operates lawn mowers.
5. Operates fork or hi-lifts.
6. Operates tractors equipped with loader, sickle bar and rear mounted brush cutters.
7. Operates UTV’s with rear fire suppression units and ATV’s.


Maintenance and Repair

1. Assist with vehicle, UTV and ATV maintenance.
2. Perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on vehicles and fire equipment.
3. Walk and maintain deer fences.
4. Change hydraulic filters and hoses.
5. Maintain and repair hand tools and fire related equipment.
6. Repair flat tires.
7. Repair and maintain fire hoses.


Maintain State Forest Facilities

1. Clean and maintain fire towers.
2. Prepare and paint signs and buildings.
3. Cut brush and grass at facilities, along rights-of-ways, and wildlife areas.
4. Install culvert pipes, head and tail walls, and appropriate erosion and sedimentation control devices.
5. Build and maintain facilities including wood and metal projects.
6. Paint and maintain State Forest boundary lines.
7. Load and unload road or building materials.
8. Repair bridge structures including redecking bridges under supervision.
9. Repair or replace roofs, install soffits, flashing, and spouting under supervision.
10. Operate and maintain chainsaws, power tools, fire pumps, generators, and brushsaws.
11. Assist surveyors with land and boundary surveys.
12. Maintain recreation and picnic areas.
13. Collect and dispose trash from State Forest land.
14. Apply herbicide under supervision of Licensed Applicator.

General Forest District Operations

1. Assist with equipment training programs.
2. Assist with fire training programs.
3. Assist in Search and Rescue operations.
4. Occasionally function as lead worker on various district projects.
5. Participate in establishing work goals.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Has free range to make decisions in order to accomplish the items in this position description. Seeks advice and approval from supervisor when decisions may have political and/or financial impacts. Routine duties are performed according to established methods and procedures. Work is often performed with considerable independence. Initiative and good judgement is exercised after experience is gained on the job.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:



Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License
 
2.   N/A
 
3.   N/A
 
4.   N/A
 
5.   N/A
 
6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Ability to perform strenuous outdoor work and to negotiate uneven and rough terrain.
 2. Ability to operate small engines and equipment.
 3. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with coworkers and the public.
 4. Ability to organize, plan, and implement various work activities.
 5. Ability to read, interpret and follow various policies and procedures so that operations are carried out according to guidelines.
 6. Ability to learn and practice new techniques to maintain and repair district equipment and perform maintenance tasks.
 7. Ability to perform routine maintenance of district facilities.
 8. Ability to lift and move heavy objects and work under adverse weather conditions.
 9. Ability to carry a backpack tank or leaf blower and other power or hand tools. Ability to use other fire suppression equipment.
 10. Ability to operate motor vehicles.