Natural Resource Specialist - Winter Seasonal

Initial Posting Date: 09/28/2026

Final date to receive applications: 10/06/2026

Agency: Forestry Department

Salary Range: $4,519 - $6,276

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 1 - Winter Seasonal

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‑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‑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

Salary Determination:

Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis for starting salary will be conducted to determine…