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Kansas Forest Service

Kansas Forest Service
2610 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66502
785.532.3300

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Employment Opportunities

The Kansas Forest Service is always looking for energetic, enthusiastic, career-minded individuals who desire to work in an exciting and dynamic industry. Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

To recieve notifications for new job opportunities, please fill out our employment interest survey.

Student Workers

We often employ student workers for positions as Office Assistants, GIS Technicians or Conservation Tree Program Assistants. Please review the below matierals for additional information.

Assistant Forester / District Community Forester

Apply nowDepartment: 3670010290 Kansas Forest Service
Job no: 517211
Employment type: Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Term)
Location: Other
Worksite: On-site requirement
Categories: Agriculture, Forestry
Pay Grade: 001

About This Role:

Kansas Forest Service is hiring a full-time District Community Forester position for the southeast district of the Community Forestry Program. The position supports the Community Forestry Program by assisting communities in planning, managing, education/outreach and developing tree resources to improve environmental, economic, ecological, social, beautification and recreational benefits. Responsibilities include:

  • Providing community forestry technical assistance to communities and partners of the southeast district.
  • Planning, developing, and conducting a balanced full-service forestry program to meet the needs of the resource and communities in a positive and professional manner.
  • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with federal, state and local agencies, and organizations on forestry related programs.

Incumbent delivers community forestry services with limited direct supervision. Approximately 50% of the time will be spent in the field, travel is routine with occasional overnight travel for special duties and training. Work may need to be done in inclement weather on occasion. This position is located within the Southeast Community Forestry District in Haysville, KS.

Why Join Us:

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887, and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 35 full-time employees, and 40+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization. Learn more at our website: www.kansasforests.org

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

 

Visit this link for K-State’s guidance and policies on remote work and flexible work arrangements. Remote work agreements are required for all flexible work arrangements and are subject to review.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 2 years of experience in forestry, horticulture, landscape ecology or landscape architecture. Education such as a Master's degree can be substituted for required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in forestry or a closely related field
  • 5 years of experience in forestry, horticulture, landscape ecology or landscape architecture
  • Certified Arborist (KAA or ISA)
  • Knowledge of tree identification, tree inventory, GIS, tree planting, pruning
  • Experience utilizing the Microsoft office suite
  • Ability to communicate in an effective and professional manner

Other Requirements:

  • Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
  • Valid driver’s license

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Professional references
  4. Academic transcripts (if applicable)

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by May 8, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$47,000 - $52,000 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

 

Advertised: Apr 25, 2024 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

District Fire Management Officer

About This Role: Kansas Forest Service is hiring two full-time positions as District Fire Management Officers within the KFS Fire Program. These positions help the Fire Program to meet the needs of fire departments and communities we serve by being the direct contact for the program to the fire departments and related organizations within their assigned district. They will help provide training, direct incident support, and have the opportunity to more effectively pursue relations with those we serve. The location for these positions is flexible within the NW, SW, and/or SE district and they are eligible to work remote in a hybrid/partial capacity.


Why Join Us: The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th oldest state forestry agency in the country established in 1887 and is housed as an independent agency within K-State Research and Extension. The agency employs 37 full-time employees, and 45+ temporary and student positions, housed in Manhattan, KS and offices throughout the state. Our programs include Rural Forestry, Community Forestry, Fire Management, Conservation Tree Planting, Forest Health, and Marketing and Utilization.


For 50 years the Kansas Forest Service, Fire Management Program has provided vehicles and equipment to fire departments to enhance their fire suppression capacity. Current programs are the Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP), Fire Fighter Property (FFP) and the Equipment Donation Program (EDP). While some restrictions apply, FFP allows the departments to eventually own the equipment and to utilize it for prescribed and controlled burning as well as other civil emergencies.


Education opportunities are available at no cost for fire prevention education, suppression and prescribe burning. Some classes for land managers and fire fighters are specifically for use within the state, others qualify one to participate in incidents at the Federal level through the Incident Qualification System (Red Card).


Financial assistance for the Kansas Forest Service fire program is principally provided by the State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance Programs of the USDA Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Division. State fire assistance funds, or SFA, provides funding for KFS fire staff to deliver services to rural fire districts and the citizens of Kansas with services such as training, wildfire preparedness and planning, suppression and response, as well as prescribed fire management. Volunteer fire assistance funds are pass-through funds to cooperating fire districts for ancillary products such as communications equipment, protective gear, hand tools, water pumps, and related items. Coupled to the above is long range planning assistance for Districts desiring a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Fire Master Plan, or a Hazardous Fuel Assessment.


Incident support and resource management is made possible through funding from the Kansas Legislature. This allows KFS employees to be positioned through Kansas to respond when requested within 2 hours and enables KFS to pre-position wildland fire taskforces and assist local fire authorities with fire aviation.


Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits


We Support Diversity and Inclusion:
Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the
Principles of Community.


Worksite Options:
This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work may be performed partially remote and partially on employer premises agreed upon by the hiring manager and State Forester.


What You’ll Need to Succeed:
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree
• Five (5) years of wildland fire experience
• Experience working for or directly with both local fire departments, and state or federal wildland fire agencies
• Familiarity with both the Rural/Volunteer Fire service as well as the Interagency (NWCG) wildland fire community


Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Fire Ecology, Fire Management, or other related field
• Incident Commander Type 4 or higher, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss type 2. Higher qualifications are highly encouraged.


Other Requirements:
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Ability to engage in firefighting duties, including meeting "arduous" fitness standards as identified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.


How to Apply:
Please submit the following documents:
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Professional references
4. Academic transcripts (if applicable)
Screening of Applications Begins:
Screening begins immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 3, 2024.


Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:
$47,000 - $52,000


Equal Employment Opportunity:
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.


Background Screening Statement:
In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

Apply Now

Employment Opportunities with Forestry Contractors

(The Kansas Forest Service provides this listing for informational purposes only. No endorsement is implied. Contact Ryan Armbrust for additions or corrections.) 

Custom Forestry Applications LLC

Wildlife