Spotted Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.47 - $35.38 Hourly
Location : *Home Headquartered, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Limited Term Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-49733-54140
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: AG Plnt Pro Div
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 54140
Position Number: 50564940
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B1
Pay Group: ST05
Bureau / Division Code: 00043951
Bureau / Division: Plant Protection Division
Worksite Address: Home Headquartered
Contact Name: Becky Hershberger
Contact Email: behershber@pa.gov
THE POSITION
NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF CS-2026-49733-54140. IF YOU APPLIED UNDER THE PREVIOUS POSTING WHICH WAS OPEN FROM MAY 14, 2026 TO MAY 27, 2026, YOU CANNOT SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION.
Are you someone who is deeply passionate about our local forests and finds enjoyment in working in the great outdoors? If so, the Department of Agriculture is excited to welcome a committed Forest Technician to play a key role in helping to protect Pennsylvania's invaluable forests and agriculture. You will take part in essential fieldwork that supports the control of invasive pests like the Spotted Lanternfly. Here, you will have the exciting opportunity to work outdoors, collect valuable data, and support various research projects. Apply today to join a team that works hard to protect natural resources across the Commonwealth!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This fulfilling position supports efforts to detect and manage the Spotted Lanternfly by completing surveys, site assessments, and field monitoring activities. You will gather data, communicate with property owners, and assist with a wide-range of pest control measures. As a Forest Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Property Contact: Reach out to property owners to explain survey needs before placing traps or conducting inspections
• Trap Management: Follow survey procedures to place, maintain, and remove traps and submit collected specimens
• Site Assessment: Perform assessments to locate properties suitable for survey or pest treatment activities
• Field Monitoring: Conduct visual checks of host plants, collect data with electronic tools, and maintain activity logs
• Pest Control: Apply pesticides as assigned to help reduce Spotted Lanternfly populations

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the .
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Limited-term, full-time employment
• This position is expected to remain active through Fall 2026.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position is home headquartered in Westmoreland County. You will be expected to travel in the field for this position.
• This position is home headquartered. In order to be home headquartered, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.
• 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:

• An associate's degree in forest technology; or
• Completion of equivalent formal education in forestry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Condition of Employment:

• This position requirespossession of a valid PA non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our
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
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Condition of Employment - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered "Yes", please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
03
Do you possess a conferred associate's degree or higher, or are you within three months of conferring an associate's degree or higher, in forest technology?
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 transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to 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.

• Yes
• No

04
If you are within three months of completing an associates degree or higher in forest technology, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
05
Have you completed at least 60 semester college credits which includes completion of 12 semester college credits in forestry? (Acceptable forestry coursework must include at least the following: one course in dendrology; one course in forest measurements, surveying, or mensuration; and one course in forest ecosystems management, forest ecology, or silviculture).
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 transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to 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.

• Yes
• No

06
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

• Yes

07
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - CONDUCTS FIELD SURVEYSConducts field surveys of forests to assess forest health and detect evidence of major forest pest populations.Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience conducting field surveys of FORESTS to assess forest health and detect evidence of major forest pest populations.
• B. I have experience conducting field surveys of NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS OTHER THAN FORESTS (e.g., fields, farms, go...