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Forester Series

Forester Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established November 1, 1972

Scope

This series specification describes three Forester classes used in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

 

Forester Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
BY80 1054 Forester I (Nonsupervisory)
BY70 1042 Forester II (Supervisory)
BY60 1041 Forester III

Definition of Series

The Forester series describes professional work concerned with forest, range, and watershed management and protection, which is accomplished by: providing encouragement, advice, and assistance to landowners, individuals, organizations, and agencies; regulating use; demonstrating good wildland management; and seeking through research, assessment, risk analysis, and studies the necessary knowledge to utilize forest, range, and watershed lands while protecting all their benefits. Foresters are also required to participate in fire protection, fire prevention, and all-risk response.

 

Work assignments involve the planning, development, and administration of resource management programs; surveys, research, and demonstration projects in the fields of forest pest protection, reforestation, climate change, forest utilization, and forest nursery operations; mapping and inventory of wildland soils and vegetation; emergency revegetation and rehabilitation; range improvement; forest practice and fire prevention inspections and regulation; criminal and civil law enforcement; State forest management; studies in forest economics, engineering, genetics, and appraisal; watershed management; environmental protection; forest products utilization; forest and wildland improvement and restoration; environmental review; forest policy; urban forestry; vegetation management; pre-fire engineering; all-risk response; and land-use planning. Individuals entering the series must successfully complete basic fire control training prior to the end of probation.

Job Characteristics

Certain positions in these classifications require peace officer or public officer status as a condition of appointment and continued employment.

Entry Levels

Entry into this series is typically at the class of Forester I (Nonsupervisory). The class of Forestry Assistant II also provides preparation for promotional entry. Entry from fire suppression classes is also permitted.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, complexity, and technical difficulty of work; nature of public contact; supervision received and exercised; latitude for independent judgment and action; responsibility for decisions; geographic responsibility area; degree of administrative responsibility; program control; influence on policy decision; and influence on methods and program direction.

Definition of Levels

Forester I (Nonsupervisory)

This is the entry and first working level. Incumbents perform difficult, professional duties in connection with forest, range, watershed management, protection, and planning. At the unit level, incumbents enforce regulations, carry out policy, and serve in Forest Practice, Vegetation Management, Forestry Assistance, or other Resource Management assignments, as well as Fire Protection, Pre-Fire Engineering, fire prevention, local land use planning, and risk analysis. In some units, single positions function as Unit Foresters, with multiple program responsibilities. Incumbents may also be responsible for a segment of operations at a State Forest or Nursery. In region or headquarters assignments, incumbents may serve as staff specialists or assistants responsible for activities of a resource management program such as Forest Practice, Forest Management, or Urban Forestry. Incumbents may also serve as staff specialists or assistants responsible for activities of other department programs, such as pre-fire engineering, local land use planning, and risk analysis. Incumbents with appropriate training, Incident Command System (ICS) qualifications, experience, and certifications may serve in emergency assignments.

Forester II (Supervisory)

Foresters II (Supervisory) perform the more difficult, sensitive, and complex professional forestry duties in connection with forest, range, watershed management, protection, and planning, and interpret, develop, and implement regulations and policy to ensure consistent application. In units with large Resource Management staffs, Foresters II (Supervisory) supervise two or more staff, which may include Foresters I (Nonsupervisory), Forestry Assistants or Forestry Technicians, and fire protection and prevention staff. At the largest State Forest, Foresters II (Supervisory) serve as supervisors in charge of a segment of State Forest operations. In region offices and at units with large resource management staffs, Foresters II (Supervisory) serve as THP Review Team Chairpersons. In region offices and headquarters, Foresters II (Supervisory) supervise staff in performing the activities of a major resource management, resource assessment, fire risk assessment, or planning program. This level may also be involved with the drafting and development of policy and regulations for the Department. Incumbents with appropriate training, ICS qualifications, experience, and certifications may serve in emergency assignments.

Forester III

Foresters III perform the most difficult, sensitive, and complex forest, range, watershed management, protection, and planning duties such as responding to inquiries from legislators, advocate/civic groups, and citizens; administering a region or statewide resource management program; and supervising the review and processing of timber harvesting plans. Foresters III may have in-charge responsibility for the largest State Forest and in units with large resource management programs. Foresters III are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the forest, range, and watershed management activities in an administrative area. Foresters III may supervise a staff of Foresters.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Breadth of experience through a variety of job assignments is a factor in planned manager development in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Although Foresters develop highly specialized assignments at higher levels, rotation in assignment is anticipated at all levels within the series.

Forester I (Nonsupervisory)

Either I

 

Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection or possession of an authorized letter from the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Professional Foresters Registration, to compete in the Registered Professional Forester exam. (Applicants with an authorization letter from the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Professional Foresters Registration, will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

 

Experience: Two years of experience performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant II in the California state service. and

 

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).

Or III

 

Experience: One year of experience performing the duties of a Forestry Assistant II in the California state service and six months of forestry work requiring professional skill. (Graduation from college with specialization in forestry, range management, or a closely related natural resource field may be substituted for the six months of forestry work.) and

 

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).

Or IV

 

Experience: Either

 

1. Three years of experience in the California state service performing forestry work requiring professional skill, fire prevention, or supervising fire suppression work in a class comparable in level to a Forestry Assistant II. or

 

2. Two years of experience in forestry work requiring professional skill involving one of the following: management of a forest area; management of forest resources; appraising forest resources; forest engineering; regulating forest practices; controlling forest pests; reforestation or tree nursery production; urban forestry; or range and watershed management duties. (Graduate work in forestry may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in forestry, range management, or a closely related natural resource field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.) and

 

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (applicants who do not possess the required license will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment).

Forester II (Supervisory)

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. and Either I Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing forest, range, or watershed management duties in a class comparable in level to a Forester I (Nonsupervisory).

Or II

 

Experience: Three years of experience in forestry work requiring professional skill involving management of a forest area, management of forest resources, appraisal of forest resources, forest engineering, regulating forest practices, controlling forest pests, reforestation or tree nursery production, urban forestry, or range and watershed management duties. (Graduate work in forestry may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) and

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in forestry, range management, or a closely related natural resource field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Forester III

License Requirement: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Professional Forester issued by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. and

 

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing forest, range, or watershed management duties in a class comparable in level to a Forester II (Supervisory).

Knowledge and Abilities

Forester I (Nonsupervisory)

Knowledge of: Natural sciences (biology, botany, geology, hydrology, ecology, soil science, and climatology, including climate change principles); forest, range, wildlife, and fisheries management principles and practices; California vegetative types, soil, climatic conditions, and plant ecology and the tools, methods, and practices related to vegetation management, including fuels management; tools, methods, and practices related to forest and range inventory, mensuration, appraisal, and harvesting; tree nursery production, distribution, reforestation, and forest pest control; identification and protection of archaeological sites and other cultural resources; tools, methods, practices, programs, organization, and standards related to fire prevention, wildland fire protection, fire behavior, and all-risk incident management, strategy, and tactics; watershed management and erosion control methods; State, local, and Federal environmental, forest, and fire laws and regulations applicable in California; criminal, civil, and administrative law and law enforcement and investigation techniques; tools, methods, and practices related to forest engineering, land surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, and use and applications of remote sensing imagery; evaluation techniques and migration methods for land management and incident related activities and effects; the Department�s mission, vision, and values; the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection�s and the Department�s policies; other agencies� roles, objectives, and jurisdictional authorities; and forest economics, forest product valuation, and forest product utilization.

 

Ability to: Interpret and apply technical standards and make decisions based on available data; make inspections and investigations and prepare technical reports of findings; research the literature and other sources for information; use clear and concise expression in oral presentations, written reports, and correspondence; identify and protect sensitive resources; and work effectively and harmoniously with others (e.g., co-workers, other fire protection agencies, the public, landowners, other governmental agencies, and the business community).

Forester II (Supervisory)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and program administration; forest policy development and application; principles of effective supervision; and a supervisor�s responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a safe work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and accept increasing responsibility and accomplish objectives without close guidance and review; effectively plan and organize work programs; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a safe work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment; and demonstrate leadership.

Forester III

Knowledge of: All of the above, but at a broader level of scope that includes multiple programs, agencies, and levels of government; policies, objectives, and standards established by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection; conservation programs and forest and wildland management as practiced in California; research and statistical methodology; special project management; principles of personnel management; training; and budgeting.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously and meet deadlines; demonstrate leadership; analyze problems and design systems for project organization and problem solving; do technical and policy writing and editing for publication; effectively communicate with various levels of government, the media, and the private sector; and effectively plan and organize work programs.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Willingness to work long and irregular hours under stressful conditions, in remote parts of the State, and during the fire season, to remain available for duty assignments 24 hours a day as required; ability to meet physical and medical standards established by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; color vision and visual acuity sufficient to perform the duties of the position; ability to perform and exercise good judgment under emergency or other stressful situations; and ability to operate specialized equipment (e.g., personal computers, audio visual, fire apparatus, vehicles, and camera).

Felony Disqualification

Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class. This felony disqualification applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within this class.

Class History

Forester Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Forester I (Nonsupervisory) 09/04/1934 04/14/2009 11/05/1996
Forester II (Supervisory) 10/20/1931 04/14/2009 11/05/1996
Forester III 05/02/1952 04/14/2009 05/21/1964
  Updated: 6/3/2012
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