Forest Fire Service Jobs in NJ
Jobs with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and Division of Parks and Forestry: forest firewarden ranks, Forest Fire Observer, Forest Fire Pilot, and Fore
Category: Environment & Conservation
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service sits within the Division of Parks and Forestry and is a State civil service operation with its own rank structure, running from Forest Fire Observer through the section, division and supervising firewarden grades to the State Forest Fire Warden. Alongside the suppression ranks are a forestry management track built on the Forester and Regional Forester titles, an equipment maintenance track, and a Forest Fire Pilot title for aerial detection. Almost all of these are State jurisdiction titles, so unlike municipal fire work they carry published salary ranges.
Typical Requirements
- Residency inside your assigned forest region is a real condition of several of these titles, typically within 30 days of appointment — this is unusual and worth reading before applying
- Forester and Forester Trainee require a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resource management, silviculture, or a closely related curriculum
- The firewarden ranks require an associate's degree in forestry, forest science, natural resources management or fire science, plus experience in forest fire prevention, pre-suppression or suppression
- Additional college credits can substitute for part of the experience requirement at 30 credits per year, up to the bachelor's level
- A valid NJ driver's license, and for several titles a Commercial Driver's License with the endorsements matching the vehicle class operated
Career Progression
- Forest Fire Observer
- → Forest Fire Control Technician
- → Section Forest Firewarden
- → Assistant Division Forest Firewarden
- → Division Forest Firewarden
- → Supervising Forest Firewarden
Available Forest Fire Service positions in New Jersey
New Jersey civil service has 30 forest fire service titles, paying from $45,874 at entry level to $162,870 at the top step.
Which employers actually hire forest fire service titles
State payroll records show 119 people in these titles across 1 state agency, concentrated at Department of Environmental Protection. This is where the work exists today, not a list of current openings.
- Department of Environmental Protection — 119 employees
Local employers file their payroll separately and are not counted here, so county, municipal and school-district jobs in these titles are additional to the figures above.
About NJ Civil Service Employment
Civil service employment in New Jersey comes with negotiated salary schedules, health coverage, PERS or PFRS pension enrollment, and the due-process protections that come with merit-based hiring. Most titles are filled from a ranked eligibility list after a competitive exam, and each job family has its own promotional ladder.
You will find openings for these titles at state departments as well as county, municipal, and school-district employers. The classification rules and job specifications are shared statewide, regardless of which level of government is hiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a forest fire service employee in New Jersey?
To work as a forest fire service employee in NJ civil service, you typically need to: Residency inside your assigned forest region is a real condition of several of these titles, typically within 30 days of appointment — this is unusual and worth reading before applying; Forester and Forester Trainee require a bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resource management, silviculture, or a closely related curriculum; The firewarden ranks require an associate's degree in forestry, forest science, natural resources management or fire science, plus experience in forest fire prevention, pre-suppression or suppression. Most positions require passing a civil service examination and placement on an eligibility list.
What is the salary range for Forest Fire Service positions?
Forest Fire Service salaries in NJ civil service range from $45,874 at entry level to $162,870 for senior positions. Actual salary depends on the specific title, experience, and step level.
Are Forest Fire Service positions available at state and local level?
Availability varies by position. Use the job listings below to see jurisdiction-specific opportunities.
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