1

Volunteer Forest Fire Watch Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FOREST RANGER

Concord, NH · On-site

$25.96 - $41.77/hr

... voluntary compliance. Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire ...

$47K - $71K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work. A complete, all ... GOV Watch This Video for Tips on Applying in Workday:

next page

Showing results 1-20

Volunteer Forest Fire Watch information

See salary details

$8

$19

$27

How much do volunteer forest fire watch jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer forest fire watch in the United States is $19.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer forest fire watch?

Volunteer Forest Fire Watchers are individuals who assist professional fire management teams by monitoring forests and natural areas for signs of wildfires. Their primary duties include observing and reporting smoke or fire, patrolling assigned areas, and sometimes helping with public education on fire prevention. These volunteers play a crucial role in early detection, which can prevent small fires from becoming large, uncontrollable wildfires. They are often trained in basic fire behavior, safety protocols, and communication procedures. Volunteering in this role helps protect natural resources and communities from the devastating effects of forest fires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer forest fire watch?

To thrive as a Volunteer Forest Fire Watch, you need a keen eye for detail, basic knowledge of wildfire behavior, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with two-way radios, GPS devices, and fire observation reporting systems is typically required. Reliability, strong communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are important soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for early detection, accurate reporting, and supporting rapid response to prevent the spread of wildfires.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer forest fire watch personnel, and how can they be effectively managed?

Volunteer Forest Fire Watch personnel often encounter challenges such as working in remote outdoor environments, maintaining vigilance during long shifts, and responding quickly to changing weather or fire conditions. Effective management of these challenges involves thorough training in wildfire detection, clear communication protocols with local fire departments, and proper preparation for outdoor work, including hydration and sun protection. Teamwork and regular check-ins also help volunteers stay alert and safe while fulfilling their critical role in early fire detection.

What is the difference between Volunteer Forest Fire Watch vs Volunteer Forest Firefighter?

AspectVolunteer Forest Fire WatchVolunteer Forest Firefighter
CertificationsBasic fire safety awareness, local trainingFirefighter certification, first aid, CPR
Work EnvironmentMonitoring forest areas, observing for fire signsActive firefighting, fire suppression efforts
Employer & IndustryForestry agencies, conservation groupsFire departments, forestry services

Volunteer Forest Fire Watch primarily involves monitoring forest areas for fire signs and reporting hazards, requiring basic safety training. In contrast, Volunteer Forest Firefighters actively engage in fire suppression and rescue efforts, often needing specialized certifications. Both roles support wildfire prevention but differ in responsibilities and training levels.

More about Volunteer Forest Fire Watch jobs

What cities are hiring for Volunteer Forest Fire Watch jobs?

Cities with the most Volunteer Forest Fire Watch job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Forest Fire Watch jobs?

The most popular types of Forest Fire Watch jobs are:

What states have the most Volunteer Forest Fire Watch jobs?

States with the most job openings for Volunteer Forest Fire Watch jobs include:

Infographic showing various Volunteer Forest Fire Watch job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,998 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

$25.96 - $41.77/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


State Of New Hampshire rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 50 rated states


Job description

Stateof New Hampshire Job Posting
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Forest & Lands - Forest Protection Bureau
172 Pembroke Road
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Forest Ranger
Position#MR035-FR I-III
$25.96/hour - $41.77/hour
*See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.
The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Forest & Lands, Forest Protection Bureau, has a full-time vacancy for a Forest Ranger.
Summary:
Forest Ranger I: Under the supervision of higher-level Forest Ranger staff, performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.
Forest Ranger II: Performs technical field work in an assigned district relating to forest law enforcement to include forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands regulations; and promotes forest protection through organizing and participating in woodland fire suppression activities throughout the state as necessary. Works a non-typical work week including some weekends, evenings, and unscheduled hours and is subject to 24-hour availability.
Responsibilities:
Forest Ranger I:
Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.
Forest Ranger II:
Enforces all state forest protection statutes and the rules promulgated under the authority contained in same, by vigilant patrol of an assigned district to locate, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute violators of laws and rules pertaining to forestry, open burning, timber tax, and wetlands protection.
Mediates conflict between various forest users, fire personnel, the public, and landowners.
Promotes forest protection by providing information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Division, and by planning and presenting programs related to woodland fire prevention.
Develops, plans and conducts forest law enforcement programs for Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens, municipal fire fighters, municipal officials, timber industry personnel and the public in order to enhance agency effectiveness and achieve voluntary compliance.
Supervises forest patrol persons and air patrol, oversees forest fire lookout towers in the district and supervises fire lookout personnel to ensure an adequate woodland fire detection system exists in the district.
Aids and/or directs Forest Fire Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Special Deputy Wardens and municipal fire fighting personnel in woodland fire suppression/prevention activities to include developing, planning, and conducting woodland fire prevention/training to ensure a safe and efficient statewide woodland fire fighting organization.
Ensures Wardens, Deputy Wardens, and Special Deputy Wardens are available in each town and develops district plans and makes recommendations in the development of statewide/regional suppression/prevention programs.
Inspects all state-owned and town woodland fire equipment to ensure that all are in good working condition and recommends purchases to remain fire ready.
Performs assigned administrative functions including, but not limited to, preparing reports, issuing and reviewing state permits, preparing necessary court paperwork, and coordinating and providing general supervision for numerous special activities in both woodland fire and forest law enforcement.
Assists with the supervision of lower-level Forest Ranger staff to include providing training, giving instructions, reviewing work for accuracy and contributing to performance appraisals.
YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Forest Ranger I:
Education: Associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Experience: Two years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full-time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof.
License/Certification: See attached.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference will be given to qualifying candidates who have education and/or work experience across the three disciplines of forestry, fire science and criminal justice.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: For appointment consideration, Forest Ranger I applicants must successfully participate in a written examination. This examination measures possession of knowledge, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job performance by this class.
See attached for more special requirements.
For promotion from Forest Ranger I, to Forest Ranger II, employees must:
  1. Meet the minimum qualification requirements of Forest Ranger II.
  2. Meet Special Requirements #1 - 7 listed on the attached.
  3. Successfully complete the field training program for Forest Rangers.
  4. Receive satisfactory performance evaluations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant
  1. Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.

  1. Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.

  1. General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction-free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.

  1. Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.

  1. Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188-F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227-G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part-time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full-time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.

  1. Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.

  1. License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE: Additional information concerning the physical fitness and strength test, Forest Ranger certification, or police officer certification can be obtained from the Division of Forests and Lands, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Forest Ranger II:
Education: Associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institute of higher education. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Experience: Three years of experience in forestry, fire science, criminal justice, full time active military duty with honorable discharge, or any combination thereof, with at least one (1) year of experience performing duties equivalent to a Forest Ranger I.
License/Certification: See attached.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: See attached.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREST RANGER I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant
  1. Age: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date indicated on the job announcement.

  1. Physical Fitness and Strength: Candidates for initial appointment as a NH Forest Ranger must be able to pass a specified strength and agility test designed to measure ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. All Forest Rangers I, II, Sergent & Lieutenant, hired after January 1, 2005, will be required to submit to and pass, at 3-year intervals, a medical examination and physical fitness test, as a condition of continued employment.

  1. General (candidates for initial appointment only): A medical examination shall be required after a conditional offer of employment has been made and prior to appointment. A thorough background investigation and reference check will also be made before appointment. Candidates who do not have a conviction-free record of serious offenses will be ineligible for appointment.

  1. Forest Ranger Certification: During the probationary period, employees must successfully complete the specified training courses and become fully certified as Forest Rangers qualified to fight forest fires by the New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Commission or by the Director of the Division of Forests and Lands, unless already certified and certification is still in effect.

  1. Police Officer Certification: During the probationary period, employees must satisfactorily complete the preparatory training program for police officers established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council and become certified as police officers pursuant to RSA 188-F, unless already certified and certification is still in effect. Pursuant to RSA 227-G:9, Forest Rangers hired prior to January 1, 2005 are required to be part-time certified, whereas any Forest Ranger hired after that date is required to be full-time certified. A minimum of eight (8) hours of approved training per year is required for continuing certification.

  1. Residency: Candidates must be willing to accept employment anywhere in the state. Prior to completion of the probationary period, appointees must establish residency within their assigned district or region, as applicable for the position and detailed in the residency policy.

  1. License: Upon appointment, candidate must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license in compliance with New Hampshire statutes and maintain for duration of employment.

NOTE: Additional information concerning the physical fitness and strength test, Forest Ranger certification, or police officer certification can be obtained from the Division of Forests and Lands, Department of Natural and Cultural Resource.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplem

What State Of New Hampshire employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom