Forestry Technician III

Job Code: 32000094
Salary Grade: NC09
Revision Date: 04/2019

Class Concept

District Ranger – Work in this class involves overseeing and conducting a variety of forestry services that may include fire suppression, forest law enforcement, forest protection, forest management, information and education, and/or disaster/emergency response within a large assigned unit of the North Carolina Forest Service such as a District (four to ten counties), Dare County Bombing Range, or Youthful Offenders Program. Work is typically overseen by a Forestry Supervisor and may involve the supervision and training of permanent Forestry Technicians I, Forestry Technicians II, and/or other permanent or temporary employees. Other related duties may be assigned as necessary. Work is subject to hazards such as fire, pests, wild animals, weather, and difficult terrain. Work is also subject to on-call and rotating shifts and rotation of work areas. Work is further distinguished from that recognized in the Forestry Technician II step by an increased level of responsibility and accountability to include more technical program complexity, more technical oversight, and more work planning, training, and implementation, each over a larger or more complex geographical or program area. This level also requires considerable knowledge of purchasing procedures, property and inventory procedures, elements of law, law enforcement procedures, forest protection statues, court procedures, environmental guidelines, state budget, personnel systems, wetland determination, and safety standards.

Regional Ranger – Work in this class involves overseeing and conducting a variety of forestry services that may include fire suppression, forest protection, forest management, information and education, and/or disaster/emergency response within a Field Division of the North Carolina Forest Service consisting of 27 - 41 counties or roughly 1/3 of the state. Work is overseen by a Forestry Supervisor and involves the supervision of permanent or temporary employees and the training of employees within the Field Division and across the state. Other related duties may be assigned as necessary. Work is subject to hazards such as fire, pests, wild animals, weather and difficult terrain. Work is also subject to on-call and rotating shifts and rotation of work areas. Work requires an expert level of responsibility and accountability to include the highest level of program complexity, technical oversight, and work planning, training, and implementation each over a larger or more complex geographical area. This level also requires expert knowledge of purchasing procedures, property and inventory procedures, elements of law, law enforcement procedures, forest protection statues, court procedures, environmental guidelines, state budget, personnel systems, and safety standards. Employees are operationally independent and receive no higher technical supervision in their program areas.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

District Ranger

• (i) Significant knowledge of programs and services delivered by the North Carolina Forest Service. Significant knowledge of wild land fire control strategy and firefighting techniques, protocols and safety practices.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of forest management practices including surveying, GPS, best management practices and applicable environmental regulations.
• (iii) Considerable knowledge of purchasing procedures, property and inventory procedures, elements of law, law enforcement procedures, forest protection statues, court procedures, environmental guidelines, state budget, personnel systems, wetland determination, and safety standards. State of Forestry Technician III 32000094 North Carolina 04/2019
• (iv) Ability to communicate effectively and establish effective working relationships with the public and other agency personnel including the ability to train and educate others on fire control and forest management related topics.
• (v) Ability to secure cooperation of the public and other agency personnel in fire prevention and control activities.

Regional Ranger

• (i) Specific knowledge of North Carolina Forest Service programs and services offered to the public is required.
• (ii) Expert knowledge in fire control strategy, tactics, dispatch procedures, fire behavior, topography, water management, forest fuels, incident organization, mutual aid rescue sharing, prescribed burning/smoke management, and fire line safety is required.
• (iii) Expert knowledge in purchasing procedures, property, inventory procedures, elements of law, law enforcement procedures, forest protection statues, court procedures, environmental guidelines, state budget, personnel systems, and safety standards is also required.
• (iv) Specific skills required to function in forest protection/fire management, administrative management, law enforcement, and disaster/emergency response include: emergency operations management, emergency strategies and tactics, and public relations.
• (v) Abilities required include communication with public, other agencies, Division employees, organization, planning, leadership, management, supervision, and negotiation. Ability to design and conduct formal training schools is also required.

Minimum Education and Experience

Associate's degree in forest management or an environmental or natural science curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of related experience in providing forestry services; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license required within 90 days of hire.