Agency plans to hire approximately 130 forestry technicians, survey technicians and equipment operators
EUGENE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is launching a major hiring initiative aimed at increasing staffing for forestry work and other critical priorities across western Oregon, including efforts to expand domestic timber production.
The agency plans to hire approximately 130 forestry technicians, survey technicians and equipment operators. BLM officials said the hiring effort will use direct-hire authorities designed to speed up the federal employment process.
Special emphasis will be placed on recruiting people who already live in the communities where the positions are located. The agency plans to use its new Field Unit Local hiring authority to help connect qualified local applicants with available jobs.
As part of the recruitment effort, the BLM will hold an informational job fair Friday, July 17, at WorkSource Lane, located at 2510 Oakmont Way in Eugene.
The fair will be held in two sessions, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m.
Current BLM employees will be available to discuss the different positions, job duties, qualifications and application process. Prospective applicants will also have an opportunity to ask questions about working for the agency and the communities where the jobs may be located.
Advance registration is available but is not required to attend. Participation in the job fair is also not required to apply for any of the positions.
The hiring initiative comes as the BLM seeks to increase staffing associated with forest management, timber production, land surveying and equipment operations on public lands in western Oregon.
Forestry technicians typically assist with forest inventories, timber-sale preparation, reforestation, fire prevention and other land-management activities. Survey technicians help establish and document property and land-management boundaries, while equipment operators support road maintenance, forest projects and other field operations.
BLM Northwest Oregon District Manager Matt Betenson is expected to participate in the hiring effort and will be available to discuss the agency’s staffing needs and employment opportunities.
The Bureau of Land Management oversees approximately 245 million acres of public land, primarily in 11 Western states and Alaska. It also administers about 700 million acres of federal subsurface mineral estate.
Additional information about the positions and application process will be available from BLM representatives at the July 17 job fair.
