Forester II; District Forester

Forester II

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Forest Service (MFS), has a current vacancy for a Forester II in Maine.

Opening Date:
June 18, 2026

Closing Date:
End of the day July 10, 2026

Location:

Ashland

Position Number:

Position Type:
Permanent Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 9452

Grade: 25 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $55,764.80 - $78,228.80 Per Year*

*(This includes a 2.5% Salary Adjustment)

Interested applicants need to submit a Direct Hire Application, along with a Cover Letter, and a detailed Resume.

As one of 12 MFS District Foresters statewide, you will lead efforts in your district to provide education and assistance to multiple audiences, monitor forest conditions and forest operations, and promote stewardship of Maine's critical forest resources.

BRIEF

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is professional forestry work involved in promoting informed decisions about Maine's forests to a wide variety of audiences and implementing a service forestry program in an assigned district. Responsibilities of the position include:

• Provide on-site advice and assistance to landowners, loggers, and foresters about management practices that will enhance the timber, water, wildlife, and recreation resources and values under their care.
• Develop and deliver presentations, field tours, and workshops to individuals, students, clubs, other entities, and the public about forests and forestry.
• Inspect timber harvest sites for compliance with the state's forest practices and other land use regulations and with Best Management Practices; advise consulting foresters, harvesters, and landowners on how to prevent violations and mitigate existing problems.
• Prepare informational materials, reports, and correspondence about forest issues, attend local meetings, answer inquiries, and perform public relations and outreach work to engage with the people of a district.

The position collaborates closely with a team of MFS field and program staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelors' Degree in Forestry or related field and four (4) years field experience involving inspection and supervision of harvesting operations, surveying, cruising, timber making, and general forest management planning. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class):
Licensed as a Registered Professional Forester from the Maine State Board of Registration for Professional Foresters.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following skills and abilities:

• Stewardship – demonstrate broad knowledge and appreciation of the many economic, ecological, and social values of Maine's forests.
• Self-motivated – ability to work independently, identify needs, seek additional resources, and initiate new efforts to address emerging issues.
• People person – ability to communicate easily, tactfully, and professionally with a wide range of audiences. Comfortable leading presentations and workshops with people of different backgrounds and levels of understanding.
• Recorder/reporter – capable of preparing effective reports, assessments, and other documentation in written and electronic formats.

A job offer to a new hire is conditional upon verification of credentials, criminal records, and driver's license check if applicable. Three professional references must be provided and made available at the interview.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of…