Forestry Aide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FORESTRY AIDE - SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT / RESOURCES SECTOR - WILDFIRE AND FOREST RESILIANCE PROGRAM
"Priority consideration will be given to any person receiving State public assistance under the CalWORKs program. Applicants who receive State public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWORKs recipient in the comments area on the application. Applicants must submit a verification of their CalWORKs eligibility status, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing TANF eligibility or a copy of your last aid check stub. If verification is not submitted with the application, the application will not be processed. (Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program)."
The reporting location for this position is Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek. This position will work under the direction of the Crew Lead and/or Environmental Scientists. Forestry aides work under the supervision of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Crew Lead and Environmental Scientist(s) for the Wildfire and Forest Resilience (WFR) program in the Santa Cruz District.
This position is best suited for a person interested in natural resource management, forestry, and prescribed fire. The WFR crew primarily performs manual labor in restoring, protecting, and enhancing CA State Park's forested habitats, often in remote locations away from roads and facilities. The majority of WFR crew work involves vegetation management, including selective thinning, fuel-reduction, prescribed fire, and invasive plant removal by manual, mechanical, or chemical methods. As a WFR crew member, employees will be trained as needed to perform chainsaw work, including felling, limbing and bucking of trees. WFR crew members will also receive fire training as needed and will participate in prescribed fire operations including pile and broadcast burns. Scheduled work hours are variable, with a typical schedule consisting of 4, 10-hour days with 3 days off. Crew members may also be required to work 8, 10-hour days with 6 days off when deemed necessary for certain projects. Employees may be expected to camp on-site during these 8-day work weeks. Additionally, during prescribed burns employees will be expected to work overnight patrols.
This position may work up to 1500 hours within 12 consecutive months. This position is designated as not telework eligible.
The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.
This position requires a valid Class C driver's license. You must answer the questions addressing your driver's license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver's license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.
State housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Dmitrik Berlanga (619) 890-1195 or at Dmitrik.berlanga@parks.ca.gov .
Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) 599.961 , this is a sensitive position, and therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing. It should be noted that testing is not mandatory, but is allowed to be conducted only if and when there is a determination of reasonable suspicion as defined in CCR 599.962 .
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Incumbent will be expected to work outside in inclement weather conditions, hike up to 10 miles in steep terrain with packs up to 40 lbs. and have a willingness to work in locations with poison oak, ticks, and other environmental hazards. An ability to safely operate 4x4 vehicles on backcountry fire road and familiarity with flora and fauna of the California central coast or willingness to learn is also expected.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FORESTRY AIDE

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-521000
Position #(s):
549-715-1060-901
Working Title:
FORESTRY AIDE
Classification:
FORESTRY AIDE $21.60 - $26.71
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Santa Cruz County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Non-Tenured, Intermittent
Facility:
Santa Cruz District
Department Information
The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. If selected for the position, official sealed transcripts will be required prior to appointment.
DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/9/2026
Who May Apply
This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Parks & Recreation
Santa Cruz District
Attn: Dmitrik Berlanga
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek , CA 95006
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Parks & Recreation
Santa Cruz District
Dmitrik Berlanga
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek , CA 95006
Monday-Friday, excluding weekends and state holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Dmitrik Berlanga
(619) 890-1195
Dmitrik.Berlanga@parks.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Sharon Comas - EEO Office
(916) 653-9990
sharon.comas@parks.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Instructions
If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-715-1060-901 and the Job Control # JC-521000 in the "Examination or Job Title for which you are applying" section on the STD. 678.
Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.
Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.