Job Information
Opening Date/Time
06/30/2026 12:00AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time
07/13/2026 11:59PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly)
$3,229.00
Salary (Annually)
$38,748.00
City, State Location
Cookeville, TN
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PUTNAM COUNTY
This position is with the Cumberland District and is located in Putnam County.
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year of full-time work in one of the following areas: (1) fire suppression or fire prevention, (2) the conservation of trees, soil, water, or wildlife, (3) the farming or harvesting of forest products or orchards, (4) land surveying or mapping, (5) the operation of sawmills or tractors or bulldozers, or (6) maintenance and repair of heavy equipment or carpentry.
Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional college coursework in fire science, emergency management, homeland security, and natural resources from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of one year.
Substitution of Experience for Education: Experience in fire suppression or fire prevention; the conservation of trees, soil, water, or wildlife; the farming or harvesting of forest products or orchards; land surveying or mapping; the operation of sawmills or tractors or bulldozers; or maintenance and repair of heavy equipment or carpentry may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:
1. Possess and maintain a valid vehicle operator's license during employment;
2. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application;
3. Take and pass the job-related work capacity test for wildland firefighters (WCT) for positions that perform fire line activity as one of their primary duties. This test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound backpack in 30 minutes or less;
4. Obtain applicable Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within twelve (12) months of hire;
5. Maintain a level of physical fitness and general health (both physically and mentally) which shall permit them to effectively perform their duties.
Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.
Overview
Under general supervision, performs fire prevention, fire suppression, and conservation work on state forests and private lands of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.
This is the working and/or lead level class in the Forestry Aide Sub-Series. An employee in this class operates and maintains heavy equipment and performs a wide variety of wildland fire suppression and related work in fire management, forest management and reforestation on state forests and private lands. This class differs from a Forestry Aide 1 in that that an incumbent of the latter is part time, functions at the entry level and does not operate heavy equipment. This class differs from a Forestry Technician in that an incumbent of the latter acts as supervisor.
Responsibilities
1. May serve in a lead role directing other wildland firefighters and external resources regarding fire suppression activities or serve as a lead worker on other all-hazard situations by ensuring safety, coordinating job assignments and maintaining constant communication.
2. Assesses environmental conditions of active fires (e.g., weather, topography, fuel type), available resources and uses understanding of fire behavior to determine course of action to control fires. Constructs a fire line using hand tools (e.g., fire rake, Pulaski, and leaf blower) for extended periods of time.
3. Attends mandatory technical training as required by the Division of Forestry. Attends annual TN/KY Wildland Fire Academy to be certified in specialty areas.
4. Gathers and reports information about landowner, cause of fire, location, values/structures at risk and other information for fire report and to relay information to Fire Resource Coordinator for determination of resources needed.
5. May operate hand-held equipment, heavy machinery, and vehicles, such as, but not limited to bulldozers, wildland fire engines, tractors, forklifts, dump trucks, road graders, and back hoes etc.
6. Maintains the facilities and maintenance of grounds. Maintains assigned equipment and vehicles assigned for all incident readiness.
7. Educates local cooperators, the general public, and various agencies on general tactics, fire behavior, use of tools/implements, and functions of the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Provides training for firefighters and permit writers through various means. May assist with educational and outreach opportunities.
8. Monitors seedling storage facilities to ensure viable seedlings.
9. Reviews and assists in timber harvest sites on private or public forest land for implementation of forestry Best Management Practices and/or contract compliance.
10. Collects forest management data and conducting seedling survival checks. Assists with vendor services such as: prescribed fire, timber marking, tree planting, and fire line construction.
11. Determines which orders can be filled based on seedlings delivered as compared to seedlings ordered. Confirms Seedling Shipping Manifest corresponds with seedlings delivered.
12. Inspects and marks boundaries of State Forests to gather information (e.g., timber trespass, illegal recreational activities, etc.).
13. Identifies dead and dying trees to diagnose the cause (e.g., insects, disease, natural causes) through visual inspection and recommends course of action. Assists in monitoring, detection, and control of forests pests and invasive species.
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
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Action Oriented
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Customer Focus
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Instills Trust
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Business Insight
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Communicates Effectively
Knowledge:
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Building and Construction
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Customer and Personal Service
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Geography
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Mechanical
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Public Safety and Security
Skills:
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Active Learning and Listening
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Coordination
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Critical Thinking
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Equipment Maintenance
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Service Orientation
Abilities:
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Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
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Auditory Attention
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Multilimb Coordination
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Problem Sensitivity
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Rate Control
Tools & Equipment
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Office Equipment
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Safety and Heavy Equipment
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Fire Line Hand Tools
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GPS Unit
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Mobile and Portable Radio
TN Driver Standards
State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:
- A valid driver's license
- For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.
Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.
**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.
