Conservation Aide - Penn Nursery, Centre County

Full Job Description

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking hardworking and dependable individuals to join the Bureau of Forestry’s Summer Seasonal Program.

If you enjoy working outdoors and are interested in assisting with the counting and classifying of tree seedlings—or simply want hands-on work in seedling beds—this opportunity may be a perfect fit.

Whether you are looking to gain experience in forestry or earn extra income through temporary summer employment, the Commonwealth offers a rewarding way to spend your season.

Requirements

In early spring, you will assist with harvesting tree seedlings by lifting them from nursery beds, packing them into tubs for refrigerated storage, and grading, bundling, and classifying them by species and size.

Your work will include placing high-quality seedlings onto conveyor belts, discarding damaged ones, identifying species, and organizing bundled seedlings on storage racks.

As the season progresses, you will support additional nursery operations such as weeding seedling beds, transplanting nursery stock, and collecting cones and seeds in seed orchards.

You will also complete timesheets for supervisors, help maintain the counting room during harvest, and perform other duties as assigned to support smooth nursery operations.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Seasonal, full-time employment without benefits

Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. As temperatures rise later in the season, the schedule shifts to 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Because this work is dependent on weather conditions and seasonal needs, hours may vary, and work may not be available every day or every week. Employees are paid only for the hours actually worked.

• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
Additional Requirements:

• You must be willing and able to work in Centre County, PA
• You must be willing to work a temporary, but full-time schedule without benefits
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• Experience in harvesting, sorting, counting, classifying, and bundling tree seedlings.
• Perform manual laboring tasks indoors or outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Experience with inventory, quality control, or assembly line.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.