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Posted: March 5, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Forest Program Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Fresh

Location

Pennsylvania, 17120

Salary

$67,736 - $102,905

per year

Closes

March 19, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working outdoors to survey and protect Pennsylvania's forests from insects and diseases across multiple counties, while coordinating with various agencies and leading projects to keep forestlands healthy for public and private use.

You'll plan, monitor, and educate others on forest health issues. It's a great fit for someone passionate about nature, with experience in forestry and strong teamwork skills.

Key Requirements

  • Two years of experience as a Forester or equivalent federal job title
  • Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Assistant Manager or equivalent
  • Equivalent combination of experience and training in forestry or related fields
  • Ability to plan, coordinate, monitor, conduct, supervise, and evaluate forest health activities
  • Skills in forest pest suppression, insect and disease survey, and detection
  • Experience fostering relationships with agencies, universities, and conservation organizations
  • Willingness to work in the field across an inter-county area in Pennsylvania

Full Job Description

Are you someone who has a deep appreciation for our local forests and wildlife and finds working in the great outdoors exhilarating? If so, we invite you to elevate your career with the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) as a Forest Program Specialist. Here, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating the Division of Forest Health's activities within a multicounty area to ensure our state's forestlands are surveyed, protected from destructive insects and diseases, and conserved for public and private uses. Make a lasting green footprint in your community and apply today!

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Requirements

As a Forest Program Specialist, you will serve as an Area Forest Health Specialist, responsible for the field implementation of the activities of the Division of Forest Health over an inter-county area encompassing four forest districts.

These activities include forest pest suppression, forest insect and disease survey and detection, and information and education programs necessary to fulfill the Bureau of Forestry’s goals of monitoring and managing destructive insects and diseases on Pennsylvania’s public and private forest resources.

You will also be responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring, conducting, supervising, and evaluating these activities, and may serve as Field Project Leader for statewide forest health projects.

Within this role, it is vital to foster effective working relationships with appropriate contacts from other PA agencies, universities, cooperative extensions, conservation districts, federal agencies (particularly the US Forest Service), and collaborative landscape-level organizations which operate within Pennsylvania.


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


Work Schedule and Additional Information:

  • Full-time employment
  • Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
  • Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period.

    In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

    If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Aristes. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

    Additional details may be provided during the interview.

  • Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
  • 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:

  • Two years of experience as a Forester (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
  • Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Assistant Manager (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.


Special Requirements:

  • This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, of the proper class for the vehicles operated, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.


Other Requirements:


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).

  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • 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.

  • 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.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 3/5/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/5/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-pabureau-5254911