A Career with ODNR - Division of Forestry
 

The ODNR Division of Forestry employs a diverse work force to manage and protect Ohio’s forest resources. This mission requires a team of individuals with special skills for accomplishing their role and carrying out their responsibilities. The Division has three overall program areas, State Forests, Reforestation/Nurseries, and Private Forestry Assistance. Each of these programs provides opportunities for contributing to Ohio’s forest legacy.

Applying for Available Jobs
Available positions are posted at ODNR facilities. Applicants must complete and follow instructions on the Ohio Civil Service Application (GEN-4268). Applicants are subject to pre-screening to determine qualifications. Upon completion of the pre-screening process, applicants are notified as to whether or not they are being scheduled for an interview. For some positions, the interview may include a test or exercise to assist in evaluation of the applicant’s ability. The selection process for current personnel applying for available bargaining unit positions is conducted in accordance with provisions of the applicable Collective Bargaining agreement.

Job Requirements and Education
The State of Ohio employs a classification system used by all State agencies. Specific job duties and qualifications for available positions are included in job postings (available at ODNR facilities). Minimum requirements include a current valid Drivers License and a level of formal training, education, experience, abilities and knowledge specific to the job. Some positions also require special licensing, or require successful completion of additional training and certification within a certain time following employment. Most jobs involve outdoor work with potential for exposure to inclement weather, insects, and poisonous plants. A number of field, administrative support, and professional/technical positions are governed by Collective Bargaining laws and contracts. All non-exempt positions are represented by either the AFSCME/OCSEA or FOP unions.

Persons seeking formal education in forestry should consider an accredited program. The Society of American Foresters (SAF), the national organization representing professional foresters, accredits colleges and universities with comprehensive forestry curricula. Foresters with SAF accreditation are eligible for professional achievement incentive pay supplement under the current Collective Bargaining agreement.

State Forests Program
Personnel working within Ohio’s State Forest program may be involved with land management activities (timber, wildlife habitat, endangered species, recreation, minerals, forest health monitoring and assessment), wildfire protection (training of volunteer fire departments, prevention, suppression, prescribed fire), or law enforcement (of forest rules and fire statutes). Maintenance and repair of forest roads, bridges, facilities and administrative complexes, planning and presentation of promotional and special forest events, assistance in natural disasters, working with State Forest neighbors, elected and appointed officials, cooperators (rural volunteer fire departments), constituent groups (hiking, bridle) and forest visitors are also involved.

Protecting Ohio’s forests and wildlands from fire is an important and historic role for State Forest employees. For this reason, most personnel participate in wildfire suppression or related duties depending upon their qualifications and training. The minimum requirements for many positions is the successful completion of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses S130 Basic Wildland Fire Suppression and S190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior. Candidates for these positions must have completed both of these courses. These courses are available through various state and federal wildland fire agencies and many colleges.

Forestry Assistance Program
Foresters in the Private Assistance Program are involved in a variety of activities. The duties include offering technical assistance to private woodland owners (Service Forestry Program) and technical and organizational assistance to communities (Urban Forestry Program). Also included is detecting, monitoring, and assessing forest health conditions (Forest Health Program) or assistance and training to Ohio’s forest industry (Forest Products Utilization Program).

Much of the assistance and many responsibilities require a high level of technical forestry capability acquired through education and experience. Our staff is expected to maintain professional and technical competency through a variety of in-service and self-directed training programs. Staff is involved with a significant amount of forestry out-reach efforts and conducts education and training activities for the numerous landowner, community, industry, and non-profit organizations interested in and concerned with forestry. On rare occasions, staff becomes involved in wildfire suppression when statewide conditions dictate.

Reforestation/Nursery Program
Personnel working within the Nursery program are responsible for the cultivating, growing, harvesting, and distribution of tree seedlings at Marietta State Nursery. Trees are sold to a variety of customers throughout Ohio, including organizations, local governments, forest landowners, and the general public. Promoting the planting of trees and reforesting Ohio is an important and historic role of the Division of Forestry

General Administration/Other Programs
The Division of Forestry, administrative functions receive support from fiscal and human resource staff at both the field and central office locations. Some of the duties performed are accounts payable and receivable, coordination of computers and communications issues, purchasing and vehicle management, implementation of department policies and procedures, payroll and benefits administration, completion of Personnel Actions, job posting, interviewing and hiring, new employees orientation, staff training, and labor/management conflict resolution. These activities are coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources support services located in Columbus.

Current Department of Natural Resources Job Openings

Classifications and Typical Job Duties within ODNR Division of Forestry

The following is a brief representation of the job duties, special requirements, and general qualifications for the various positions in the Division of Forestry. Educational course work, formal training, experience, registrations, and licenses are evaluated for meeting minimum qualifications for the specific position at the time of interviewing and applicant selection. The Basic Wildfire Training noted as a special requirement under numerous positions consists of completing the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) courses S130 and S190.