FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

Code: 02643 State Competitive Range: O16 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $52,308.32 - $75,954.22/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a supervisory official, leads a team or other group of non-subordinates in assigned tasks; inspects condition of trees, plants, or shrubs; determines cause of tree damage, such as disease, insect or pest infestation; determines need for use of pesticides, insecticides or herbicides; mixes chemical solutions, solvents or powders for treatment as pesticides, insecticides or herbicides; applies insecticides, pesticides or herbicides; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Operates a motor vehicle, farm equipment, such as tractors, seed hoppers, or harvesters.
• Lubricates farm equipment.
• Stores maintenance or work materials, equipment and supplies.
• Repairs light mechanical equipment, such as weedeaters, root cutters, leaf blowers, or soil aerators.
• Check condition of motorized vehicles.
• Operates hydraulic lifts, power or tractor mowers.
• Cleans work areas.
• Operates heavy mechanical equipment, such as backhoes, bulldozers, or front-end loaders.
• Repairs farm fences, structures, or equipment.
• Covers plants for protection from weather conditions
• Inspects condition of trees, plants, or shrubs.
• Mixes chemical solutions, solvents, or powders for treatment as pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides.
• Adjusts spraying and spreading equipment for desired amount.
• Applies tar, tape wrap, or other protective substances or materials to tree surfaces.
• Applies insecticides, pesticides, or herbicides.
• Operates sprayers.
• Spreads topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, manure, and other soil improvement materials.
• Adjusts pesticide, insecticide, or herbicide control equipment to desired amount.
• Mixes chemical solutions, solvents, or powders for treatment of grass or weeds.
• Sells planting stock.
• Removes weeds or brush.
• Loads and unloads trucks.
• Removes leaves, debris, or refuse.
• Erects fences or barriers.
• Tills soil for vegetable and fruit planting.
• Delivers farm equipment or farm products.
• Applies appropriate safety procedures.
• Schedules the use of equipment or facilities.
• Reads journals or other publications for the purpose of keeping abreast of developments in the field.
• Distributes forest-planting stock for reforestation of public or private land areas.
• Organizes the distribution of nursery stock.
• Determines appropriate quantities and types of pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides.
• Writes technical specifications for purchase of equipment, supplies and parts.
• Determines need for use of pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides.
• Determines cause of tree damage, such as disease, insect or pest infestation, or gas main leaks.
• Studies effect of fertilizers, insecticides, or pesticides on plants and other greenery.
• Assigns work to volunteers, clients, inmates or seasonal help.
• Leads a team or other group of non-subordinates in assigned tasks.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree or higher in Forestry, Nursery Management, Urban Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, Silviculture, Forest Biometrics, Horticulture or closely related field.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the planting, cultivation and harvesting of trees, plants or shrubbery in a tree nursery or other tree growing operation.

<b>LICENSES:</b>

Applicants will be required to possess a driver's license valid in the State of New Jersey.

Appointee may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle to be operated only if it is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Appointee may be required to possess a license as a Pesticide Applicator, Commercial issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of established safety procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the principles of forestry, silviculture and tree-top culture.
• Knowledge of common tree and shrub varieties, and their characteristics.
• Knowledge of types of forest planting stock for reforestation of public or private land areas.
• Knowledge of procedures for lubricating farm equipment.
• Knowledge of procedures for adjusting spraying, dusting and spreading equipment to dispense appropriate amounts.
• Knowledge of plant cultivation methods and principles.
• Knowledge of state and federal standards governing plant disease control.
• Knowledge of plant disease control methods.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures for controlling horticulture problems, such as infestation, fungus or weeds.
• Knowledge of the types, use and application of fertilizers.
• Knowledge of state and federal standards governing pest control.
• Knowledge of criteria for determining the choice of chemical or biological pest control methods.
• Knowledge of biological pest control methods.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for transporting and storing pesticides, insecticides or herbicides.
• Knowledge of procedures used for mixing and applying pesticides or insecticides.
• Knowledge of types, use and application of insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Knowledge of the principles of farm management and agriculture.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures used for the storage of crops.
• Knowledge of agricultural bed preparation and planting methods for vegetable or grain crops.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques for storing and transporting seeds.
• Knowledge of procedures for off-loading construction equipment from trailers.
• Knowledge of procedures for maintaining and repairing irrigation systems.
• Knowledge of procedures for requisitioning materials, equipment, parts or supplies.
• Ability to communicate and convey information in a written format.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiplies and divide whole numbers.
• Ability to operate farm equipment, such as tractors, seed hoppers, and harvesters.
• Ability to operate heavy mechanical equipment, such as backhoes, bulldozers or front-end loaders.
• Ability to operate snow removal equipment, such as snow plows or snow blowers.
• Ability to operate power and tractor mowers.
• Ability to measure distances using inches, feet, and yards.
• Ability to operate motorized winches and other hoist equipment.
• Ability to operate light mechanical equipment, such as weedeaters, root cutters, leaf blowers, or soil aerators.
• Ability to operate spraying, dusting and spreading equipment.
• Ability to organize and schedule the distribution of forest planting stock for reforestation of public or private land areas.
• Ability to schedule and organize work activities for others.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute related experience (as noted above) on a year for year basis.

Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute an additional year of related education.