What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forest Program Specialist position at State of Pennsylvania?
Salary : $70,666.00 - $107,345.00 Annually
Location : Centre County, PA
Job Type : Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number : CS-2025-19681-54414
Department : Game Commission
Division : GC Fors Inv Sectn
Opening Date : 02 / 25 / 2025
Closing Date : 3 / 11 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern
Job Code : 54414
Position Number : 00078876
Union : Non Union
Bargaining Unit : B3
Pay Group : ST08
Bureau / Division Code : 00236530
Bureau / Division : Forest Inv. Section
Worksite Address : 197 Nursery Road
City : Howard, Pennsylvania
Zip Code : 16841
Contact Name : Julie Toth
Contact Phone : 717.787.7836
Contact Email : gamevacancybids@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking to hire a Forest Program Specialist to work in Centre County. If you have what it takes to develop, implement, coordinate, evaluate, and promote statewide programs designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources, this is the role for you. Become a leader in innovative and proactive stewardship of wildlife and their habitats!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In this professional forestry work developing and evaluating statewide programs, you will make decisions with database management, data collection, and transfer quality control, as well as data analyses and reporting within the statewide program oversight of the Forestry Division. This will rely on your knowledge of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, and other plants of Pennsylvania, as well as your ability to coordinate activities across multiple programs and disciplines, including programming languages. Responsibilities involve assessment of resource sustainability, information system integration, technology improvements and integration, research collaboration and alternative funding development, and regional support and training. Your experience and adaptability are essential for assisting the Forest Program Manager with statewide Forest Habitat ecological inventory programs designed to monitor the condition, growth, and health of Forest Habitats across our State Game Lands.
Our team will also rely on you to understand the needs of diverse program interests, serve as a primary support for regional forestry staff engaged in data collection, manage projects and contracts with third party vendors, and provide related support and advice as needed. Join our team and help provide lasting benefits for all wildlife, habitats, and people in Pennsylvania!
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information :
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 7 : 00 AM to 4 : 00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- Salary : In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam / junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements :
Special Requirements :
Other Requirements :
How to Apply :
Veterans :
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) :
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work / Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
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Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?
If you answered "yes", provide the issuing state, license number, and expiration date.
Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Forester or Forest Nursery Assistant Manager for two or more years full-time?
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N / A in the text box below.
How many years of full-time professional forestry work in the conservation, development, management and use of forest resources do you possess?
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N / A in the text box below.
How many years of full-time professional experience do you possess in the management of a Forest Tree Nursery which involves the planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating of forest tree nursery operations?
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N / A in the text box below.
How much graduate coursework do you possess in forestry, forest technology, forest management, forest ecosystem management, urban forestry, forest science or agroforestry?
If you are claiming credits / degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.
CS-INSTRUCTIONS You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience / training. List the employer(s) / training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience / training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND MONITOR PLANS
Develop, implement, and monitor the performance of forest resource management plans based on the principal goals and objectives of the Forestry Program and the State Game Lands Comprehensive Management Plans.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N / A in the box below.
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education / training related to this work behavior, type N / A in the text box below.
WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Provide forestry program / project-related technical assistance to public officials, local and regional planning boards or commissions, other state or federal agencies and bureaus, non-governmental organizations, collegues , and the public regarding the Commission's approach to Game Lands planning, habitat management, and programs such as wildlife habitat management, forest management, and Comprehensive Game Lands plans.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N / A in the box below.
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education / training related to this work behavior, type N / A in the text box below.
WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Write technical reports, letters, and other correspondence to exchange information with elected officials, superiors, field personnel, co-workers, or the public.
Levels of Performance
Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N / A in the box below.
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education / training related to this work behavior, type N / A in the text box below.
Required Question
Salary : $70,666 - $107,345
