Forest Ranger I - Area 11
State of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, United States
Salary:
$30,000.00 - $40,990.07 Annually
Location :
05 - BENTON COUNTY, MS
Job Type:
Full-Time
Job Number:
9389-0451-20260416BEN
Department:
0451 - FORESTRY COMMISSION
Opening Date:
04/22/2026
Closing Date:
5/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary:
$30,000.00
Agency Maximum Salary:
$40,990.07
About the Agency:
This position is with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, with duties and responsibilities in Benton, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica Counties. If you have any additional questions about this position, please contact Ben Vanderford at bvanderford@mfc.ms.gov.
About the Position:
First-level Ranger position accountable for serving as a forest fire suppression crew member in an assigned area of the state. The work involves serving as a crew member to prevent and suppress forest fires; assisting with the maintenance of firefighting equipment; constructing and maintaining fire breaks; assisting with timber marking, loading, and unloading firefighting equipment; using hand tools to suppress fires; and maintaining work centers.
What you'll need to be Successful:
To succeed in forestry, one needs hard and soft skills, including ecological knowledge, technological proficiency, forest inventory and measurement, fire management, effective communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy. These skills are crucial for navigating forestry challenges and contributing to forest preservation and management.
Preferred Qualifications:
Typically requires a High School Diploma or high school equivalency. Employees must obtain their Commercial Driver's License and pass a fitness exam within 90 days of employment. - Agency Preferred Qualifications:A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Additionally, candidates must pass a walking fitness test and a pre-employment drug screening. Employees must possess or obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within the first year of employment.
Characteristics of Work
See for information regarding this classifications
Health/Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
None
GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
30 semester hours
Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
90 semester hours
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Specialist Degree
Doctorate Degree
02
Employees must obtain their Commercial Drivers License and pass a fitness exam within 90 days of employment. Will you be able to meet this requirement?
Yes
No
Required Question
$30,000.00 - $40,990.07 Annually
Location :
05 - BENTON COUNTY, MS
Job Type:
Full-Time
Job Number:
9389-0451-20260416BEN
Department:
0451 - FORESTRY COMMISSION
Opening Date:
04/22/2026
Closing Date:
5/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary:
$30,000.00
Agency Maximum Salary:
$40,990.07
About the Agency:
This position is with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, with duties and responsibilities in Benton, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica Counties. If you have any additional questions about this position, please contact Ben Vanderford at bvanderford@mfc.ms.gov.
About the Position:
First-level Ranger position accountable for serving as a forest fire suppression crew member in an assigned area of the state. The work involves serving as a crew member to prevent and suppress forest fires; assisting with the maintenance of firefighting equipment; constructing and maintaining fire breaks; assisting with timber marking, loading, and unloading firefighting equipment; using hand tools to suppress fires; and maintaining work centers.
What you'll need to be Successful:
To succeed in forestry, one needs hard and soft skills, including ecological knowledge, technological proficiency, forest inventory and measurement, fire management, effective communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy. These skills are crucial for navigating forestry challenges and contributing to forest preservation and management.
Preferred Qualifications:
Typically requires a High School Diploma or high school equivalency. Employees must obtain their Commercial Driver's License and pass a fitness exam within 90 days of employment. - Agency Preferred Qualifications:A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Additionally, candidates must pass a walking fitness test and a pre-employment drug screening. Employees must possess or obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within the first year of employment.
Characteristics of Work
See for information regarding this classifications
Health/Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
None
GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
30 semester hours
Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
90 semester hours
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Specialist Degree
Doctorate Degree
02
Employees must obtain their Commercial Drivers License and pass a fitness exam within 90 days of employment. Will you be able to meet this requirement?
Yes
No
Required Question