Forestry Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $37,000.00 - $50,161.32 Annually
Location : 71 - TISHOMINGO COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9391-0451-20260819tish
Department: 0451 - FORESTRY COMMISSION
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $37,000.00
Agency Maximum Salary: $50,161.32
About the Agency: This position is with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, with duties and responsibilities in Alcorn, Prentiss, and Tishomingo Counties. If you have any additional questions about this position, please contact Ben Vanderford at bvanderford@mfc.ms.gov.
About the Position: A forestry technician's work duties include protecting, reforesting, and managing timberlands on both private and public property in accordance with Mississippi Forestry Commission regulations. In this role, the technician monitors forest conditions, identifies signs of disease or storm damage, and helps maintain fire lanes to reduce wildfire risk. They also participate in reforestation efforts by preparing land, planting trees, and evaluating seedling survival. The job requires conducting timber inventories, measuring tree species and growth, and documenting forest health using maps, GPS, and field tools. Forestry Technicians frequently collaborate with federal agencies on land designations, conservation planning, and critical-area mapping. Another major responsibility is assisting private landowners by providing guidance on proper forestry management practices, including tree planting, timber stand improvement, pest control, and sustainable harvesting. In addition, they may support forest fire suppression crews by clearing brush, operating equipment, or helping contain fires. The role also involves maintaining tools and equipment, completing field reports, and following all safety protocols while working outdoors in various conditions.
What you'll need to be Successful: To succeed in forestry, one needs hard and soft skills, including ecological knowledge, technological proficiency, forest inventory and measurement, fire management, effective communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy. These skills are crucial for navigating forestry challenges and contributing to forest preservation and management.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires an associate's degree and 0-2 years of experience. Hiring agency preferred qualifications: New Hires must either have their Commercial Driver's License or obtain a CDL within the first year of employment and pass a fitness test (Pack) within 90 days of employment.
Characteristics of Work
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Health/Prescription InsuranceEligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick LeaveFull-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
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What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed from an accredited four-year college or university?

• None
• GED / High School
• 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
• 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist's Degree
• Doctorate's Degree

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How many years of experience do you have?

• None
• 6 months of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• More than 10 years

Required Question