Forest Fire Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880223 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: FORESTRY CENTER MANAGER-DACS - 42002890 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42002890 

Salary:  $53,917.24 - $101,920.00 

Posting Closing Date: 08/09/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FORESTRY CENTER MANAGER - DACS

 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

 FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

***INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.***

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and eight (8) years of professional administrative, or supervisory forestry experience; or

A bachelor's degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in forestry and four (4) years of professional administrative, or supervisory forestry experience; or

A master's degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in forestry and three (3) years of experience as described above.

In addition, requirements under Florida Statute 633 must be met.  

NOTE:  THE INCUMBENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF HOURS OF FIRE RECRUIT TRAINING WITHIN THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD.

Requires possession of a valid class E driver license.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Florida Statute 633 requires that any person employed in this class obtain a Certificate of Compliance which includes, in addition to the above requirements, satisfactory completion of a fire fighter training program approved by the Division. No employee shall obtain permanent status unless the Certificate is received.

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Hours and days may vary due to fire conditions.

JOB DUTIES:

The incumbent in this position is required to be fire certified as a forestry firefighter under Chapter 633, F.S., and at any time may be required to perform the tasks of a Certified Wildland Firefighter in accordance with Florida Forest Service (FFS) Policy and Procedure 225.00, Appendix B.  Directly responsible for the planning, implementation and direction of all state forestry activities for an administrative center. These activities include, but are not limited to, the overall responsibility for the center's forest fire prevention, detection, suppression, administration of state lands and the management of these activities.   

Responsible for center administration. Directs the activities of center staff to ensure balanced operational use of manpower, equipment and budgets. Monitors progress and work to ensure accomplishment of the FFS goals and objectives. This is accomplished through periodic spot checks and on-site inspections of all center operations. Ensures center personnel recruitment is managed in a timely and efficient manner. Responsible for interviewing and evaluating selections, and assignment of personnel. Responsible for strict adherence to the personnel rules of the Career Service system, department personnel procedures and FFS policy and procedure manual. Supervises preparation of operational budgets for state lands, Cooperative Forestry Assistance and center fire prevention, suppression and mitigation programs. This entails review of all fixed capital, expense and operating capital outlay budgets. Provides training to staff in budget planning, preparation and implementation. Remains in constant contact with the Deputy Chief to ensure accomplishment of bureau programs and goals assigned to the center. Ensures that all property, including sites, buildings and equipment are well maintained in accordance with established standards, available funds and operational ability. Ensures that all inventory items (state and federal property) are accounted for according to established procedures.   

Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with FFS and department policies and procedures.

Responsible for center fire suppression activities. Assumes command of major fires within the center. Directly supervises the activities of Forestry Operations Administrator who is responsible for preparation and implementation of fire readiness plans as well as ensuring readiness of all fire suppression crews.  Monitors prescribed fires and burning regulations to ensure compliance with fire laws and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) rules and regulations. Coordinates FFS fire suppression responsibilities with community fire protection organizations within the center. Responsible for reviewing requests, acquiring and distributing federal excess and state fire equipment as requested by fire departments and/or County Commissioners. Monitors and ensures that the FFS's fire protection, Firewise and Incident Management Training Programs are given to requesting fire departments and other cooperating agencies. Reviews and recommends federal-funding requests from volunteer fire departments. 

Administers the rural and urban forestry assistance programs, which include a wide range of professional assistance to landowners and homeowners.

Establishes and maintains contact with all related public agencies, major landowners or their representatives, and elected officials. Assures that the public is kept appropriately informed of FFS's programs and services, with emphasis on fire prevention, fire mitigation and reforestation. Coordinates with center staff to ensure that an effective environmental education program is carried out.

Responsible for the training and safety programs administered by the center. This includes long-range and short-range development of training plans and the conducting of periodic safety meetings.

The Following Special Benefits for this Position Include

• State of Florida Special Risk Retirement package
• Annual Uniform Allotment
• Annual Boot Allotment

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck.  The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the "Posting Closing Date."

SPECIAL NOTES:

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.