What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer 25 Seasonal Service Forestry Assistant - Amherst position at DCR - Urban Parks & Recreation?
Seasonal Forestry Assistant
40 Cold Storage Drive, Amherst
4/13/2025 - 11/1/2025
Number of vacancies: 1
ABOUT THE AGENCY: The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s mission is to protect, promote and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all. The DCR is steward to one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation which includes more than 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways. DCR strives to be an exemplary leader in conservation and recreation. DCR’s staff is passionate, dedicated, and continuously employs best practices that are informed by expertise, and creates a sense of place through carrying out the mission.
About Conservation and Resource Stewardship: DCR places are special. It starts with the conservation and stewardship of our Commonwealth’s unique and significant landscapes. Outdoor recreation invites all to experience these resources and see what makes Massachusetts special. It is the purpose of the Conservation and Resource Stewardship team to ensure these lands are available for future generations. It is our passion to create a sense of place at DCR that will foster a culture of stewardship.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Seasonal Service Forestry Assistant.
Seasonal positions may be subject to the recall process and will be filled in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, positions not filled using this process will be interviewed for.
General Duties of Seasonal Service Forestry Assistants:
Seasonal Service Forestry Assistants help perform the necessary and fundamental tasks for the Service Forestry Program which provides outreach and education to private landowners and municipalities to aid them in making educated decisions about their woodlots, as well as protecting our valuable forest resources through fair and consistent application of environmental regulations.
Seasonal Service Forestry Assistants may in both an office and field environment. Field environment includes work in all types of weather, work in isolated areas, and travel for job-related purposes. Must be an independent worker with solid computer and writing skills, good people skills, as well as some forestry field experience.
Specific Duties of the Seasonal Service Forestry Outreach Assistant:
- Assist service forestry staff in the preparation of newsletters
- Assist service forestry staff in preparing for outreach events and meetings
- Assist DCR staff with interpretive signage and panels
- Assist service forestry staff with mailing lists, mail merges and other preparatory work
- Assist DCR staff with the preparation of cover letters, popular writing for pamphlets, and web content
The position may also include some or all of the following:
- Assist DCR staff with field and office review of forest management plans and forest cutting plans prepared by private foresters as well as applications for practices to improve forest resilience.
- Assist DCR staff with collection and maintenance of GIS data and projects, including forest cutting plan data.
- Assist DCR staff with data collection, entry, processing, and analysis, using a variety of methods and tools, including field computers.
- Assist DCR staff with interim site visits to active timber harvests to ensure regulatory compliance
- Assist DCR staff in the review of practices for improved bird habitat, forest resilience, or forest carbon.
- Assist DCR staff with other Service forestry duties as assigned, including but not limited to office tasks.
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
