Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal

Initial Posting Date:
09/28/2026
Application Deadline:
10/06/2026
Agency:
Forestry Department
Salary Range:
$4,519 - $6,276
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal
Job Description:
Real Jobs. Real Impact. Are you up to the Challenge? Join a team that helps care for Oregon’s forests.
Our Mission – To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians.
ODF is hiring for Winter Seasonal positions estimated to run from October 2026 through June 2027. This position will be for winter of 2026/27 and 2027/28.
NOTE: This recruitment is to establish a pool of candidates for winter season work. Preference will be given to employees who have been hired for winter season work for ODF in prior years.
Great Benefits Package - watch this video here
What you will be doing:
This position provides on-the-ground and administrative process coordination and leadership to fuels reduction projects. Serves as liaison with rural fire districts, university extension agents, cities and counties. Provides technical forest management advice to private landowners pertaining to fire planning and fuel reductions practices. Maintains effective project tracking systems, including assistance with expenditure tracking. Documents on-the-ground progress using GPS and occasionally GIS tools. Responsible for grant administration support. Through utilization of natural resource and fuels management knowledge, this position administers federal grant projects that ODF has already secured. Including but not limited to: contacting landowners, explaining grant program to landowners, signing the landowner up in the program, checking the property, estimating amount of work to be done, answering landowners questions, checking project completion, and requesting payment/reimbursement/authorization. Also assists with fire program needs, such as helping with fire staffing needs on District, and potentially off District fire assignments.
General Duties:
Administer fuels‑hazard abatement grant projects
Provide outreach, education, and technical guidance to landowners and community partners
Assist in project planning, inspections, and compliance checks
Use GIS tools to track and document project progress
Maintain reports, budgets, and grant deliverables to meet federal requirements
Coordinate with program staff and help resolve project issues
Conduct onsite reviews of work progress and completion
Support wildfire emergency operations, including firefighting or incident support
Assist with essential duties during major fire emergencies as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
Three years of experience in Forestry or a closely related natural resource field; OR
A bachelor's degree in Forestry or a closely related natural resource field.
Note: Driver’s License Check – This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for official State business. As part of the hiring process, the agency uses Advanced Reporting LLC to conduct all required DMV and CDL driving‑record checks. Advanced Reporting LLC will obtain and review the driving record for the top candidate to verify possession of a valid license and an acceptable driving record.
Desired Skills:
Knowledge of fuels management, wildfire behavior, and fire‑risk reduction practices
Strong communication and outreach skills for working with landowners and community partners
Ability to manage grant projects, including budgeting, tracking deliverables, and reporting
Proficiency with GIS tools for mapping, planning, and data management
Problem‑solving skills and the ability to work effectively in field conditions and emergency wildfire situations
How to Apply:
Please ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date.
Current State of Oregon employees – You must apply through your employee Workday account.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Salary Determination:
Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis for starting salary will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the submitted materials and the time of application. No other documents will be accepted after submission of application. Please include any relevant information and materials if you wish to be compensated accordingly.
Additional Details:
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
If you have questions about this position, please contact Hiring Manager: casey.a.smith@odf.oregon.gov
Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, co