FOREST FIRE OBSERVER
Forest Fire Observer is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
What it takes is a commercial driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $45,874 to $66,294, and state payroll currently lists about 19 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Forest Fire Observer appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 19 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 19 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $50,242. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (19)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 supervision of an Assistant Division Forest Firewarden or other supervisor in the Department of Environmental Protection, in a fire tower, is responsible for detecting, locating, and reporting forest fires to protect life and property from wildfire; when required, performs forest fire suppression, pre-suppression, and prevention; performs maintenance work; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Detects, locates, and reports forest fires within the tower area.
- Operates a two-way radio at a control point/fire tower of the Forest Fire Service radio communications system; transmits and receives communications essential to official activities in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and policies.
- Transmits and receives radio and telephone communications directly related to public safety and the protection of life and property from wildfire.
- Operates fire location devices and weather instruments, applies necessary formulae, and reports daily meteorological and fire danger data including but not limited to: wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity, spread index, buildup index, fine fuel moisture, wet and dry bulb readings, and cloud formations in accordance with the National Fire Danger Reporting System.
- Contacts flight personnel for an immediate response air attack to reported fires.
- As a member of a crew, participates in prescribed burning, forest fire suppression, and pre-suppression work.
- Maintains an accurate log for the tower station, recording fire locations, radio messages, telephone messages, and weather observations.
- Sends and relays messages, dispatches personnel and equipment under the direction of an Incident Commander (person in charge of incident/fire).
- Submits reports as required.
- Is responsible for the general maintenance of towers, grounds, equipment, and fire fighting hand tools; assists with the maintenance and construction of mobile forest fire fighting equipment and suppression vehicles; may operate trucks, maintenance shop equipment, and other forest fire equipment.
- Constructs and maintains firelines, roads and trails, and airdrop bases when not required in the fire tower.
- Participates in forest fire prevention activities and programs; constructs and operates fire prevention exhibits.
- May be required to check, file, record, and obtain data for evaluation.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey. Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the assigned area's topography, roads, trails, water resources, and fuel types after a period of training.
- Knowledge of the working plan of the Forest Fire Service, including the chain of command, authority, objectives, and goals after a period of training.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply information on Federal Communication Commission rules, regulations, and policies.
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply information on the National Fire Danger Reporting System.
- Ability to attain the certification needed to train volunteers for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
- Ability to maintain state and national standards of physical fitness necessary to qualify for wildfire suppression as a firefighter.
- Ability to read and interpret maps.
- Ability to read and interpret forest fire laws and participate in training programs as directed.
- Ability to recognize and report situations and conditions which are potentially dangerous, and remain calm and decisive in emergency situations.
- Ability to understand and employ the Incident Command System used to manage emergencies, after a period of training.
- Ability to estimate the size, distance, and characteristics of a fire and to give clear, accurate reports, after a period of training.
- Ability to operate and read meteorological instruments and report the findings accurately after a period of training.
- Ability to keep a log for a tower station, and record fire locations, radio and telephone messages, and weather observations.
- Ability to work in a remote area.
- Ability to perform various types of light and heavy maintenance work.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 12/O13- JMR 7/22/95
Note
The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.
SPECIAL
Appointees must establish residence in an assigned area within thirty (30) days of appointment. (The appointee must live within the forest region assigned.)
Appointees will be required to obtain a certification as an Instructor-Trainer issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Appointees will be required to successfully complete forest fire training courses and maintain qualifications as a forest firefighter. Failure to maintain qualifications will result in progressive disciplinary action.