Forest Maintenance Worker (Semi Skilled Laborer) - Penn Nursery, Centre County

Full Job Description

If you find enjoyment in outdoor endeavors and thrive in a hands-on role, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) at Penn Nursery invites you to explore a rewarding career with our team as a seasonal Forest Maintenance Worker. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to support Pennsylvania’s forests and parks through a combination of skilled craftsmanship, outdoor work, and teamwork. As part of the Bureau of Forestry’s operations, you will play a key role in producing and maintaining high-quality forestry products—from nursery-grown seedlings to wooden signs and picnic tables used across state forest and park lands.

This is an excellent position for someone who enjoys working with their hands, learning new skills, and taking pride in work that directly supports conservation, reforestation, and public recreation. Here, you will gain practical experience in woodworking, grounds maintenance, and nursery operations while contributing to the long-term care of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. We look forward to working with you!

Requirements

As a Forest Maintenance Worker, you will provide a wide range of duties in nursery, wood shop, and table shop operations to support forestry production and facility maintenance.

In the table production area, you will help assemble picnic tables and prepare lumber for use by sorting, cutting, and stacking materials.

You will feed lumber into saws and other equipment, assemble complete picnic table kits, and ensure all hardware and parts are accurately included.

Equipment setup, shop upkeep, and safe work practices are part of the daily routine.

You will also assist with the construction and finishing of wood products, including the setup and operation of equipment such as planers, saws, routers, and joiners.

Work includes selecting and cutting lumber, sanding, routing, staining, and painting wooden signs and kiosks.

You will follow blueprints and supervisor instructions to ensure accuracy, package completed signs and projects for shipment, and maintain a clean, safe work environment.

Your nursery responsibilities will include assisting with sowing and covering seed in nursery beds, weeding, and lifting and packing seedlings during harvest.

You will operate and maintain small equipment such as mowers, weed eaters, and backpack sprayers under supervision, and help with greenhouse work, irrigation line maintenance, and general building and grounds repair.

Additional duties may include applying fertilizers, collecting forest tree seed, and performing light plumbing, carpentry, and electrical tasks.

Throughout all areas of responsibility, you will follow established safety policies, attend training sessions as directed, complete required reports, and perform related duties as assigned.

This diverse position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, values teamwork, and wants to contribute directly to Pennsylvania’s forest management and conservation mission.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare benefits. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits.

The season runs from approximately March 2026 until November 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay.

The employee will automatically be returned to employment in March 2027.

Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.

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

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience in laboring work including the use of tools and equipment used in maintenance or construction; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

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:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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.

Additional Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.