Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BNNPTNT stipulates the code number, occupational standards, and salary grading for agricultural extension and forest protection management civil servants.

CIRCULAR
Regulations on job code, occupational standards, and salary grading for support staff in special education in public educational institutions
specialty kagricultural extension, specialty qforest management and protection

Pursuant to Decree No. 15/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Law on Public Officials dated November 15, 2010; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Civil Servants and the Law on Public Officials dated November 25, 2019;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 115/2020/NĐ-CP dated September 25, 2020 on recruitment, utilization, and management of public officials;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 on salary system for civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel amended and supplemented by the Government Decree No. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2013 and the Government Decree No. 117/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 21, 2016;

After receiving the unified opinion of the Ministry of Home Affairs at Document No. 6492/BNV-CCVC dated December 9, 2020 regarding the draft Circular of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development promulgates this Circular stipulating job code, occupational standards, and salary grading for public officials in the specialty of agricultural extension and the specialty of forest management and protection.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates job codes, occupational standards, and salary grading for public officials in the specialty of agricultural extension and the specialty of forest management and protection.

Article 2. Applicability

Article 1. This Circular applies to:

Article 2. Public officials in the specialty of forest management and protection performing professional and technical tasks related to forestry working in public service units which are special-use forest management boards and protective forest management boards.

Article 3. Job Code and Rank of Occupational Titles for Public Officials in the Specialty of Agricultural Extension and Forest Management and Protection

Clause 1. Occupational Titles for Public Officials in the Specialty of Agricultural Extension

Point a) Senior Agricultural Extension Officer (Rank II); Job Code: V.03.09.25.

Point b) Agricultural Extension Officer (Rank III); Job Code: V.03.09.26.

Point c) Agricultural Extension Technical Officer (Rank IV); Job Code: V.03.09.27.

Clause 2. Occupational Titles for Public Officials in the Specialty of Forest Management and Protection

Point a) Senior Forest Management and Protection Officer (Rank II); Job Code: V.03.10.28.

Point b) Forest Management and Protection Officer (Rank III); Job Code: V.03.10.29.

Point c) Forest Management and Protection Technical Officer (Rank IV); Job Code: V.03.10.30.

Chapter II

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

SPECIALTY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Article 4. Professional Ethics Standards

Clause 1. Having a sense of responsibility towards assigned work, complying with legal regulations; fulfilling all duties of public officials in professional activities.

Clause 2. Passionate about the profession, actively, honestly, and objectively implementing activities to transfer advanced techniques, information, disseminate knowledge, and vocational training for farmers to enhance their capacity, efficiency of agricultural production and business, protect the agricultural environment, and build new rural areas.

Clause 3. Diligent in work; adhering strictly to unit rules and regulations.

Clause 4. Spirit of solidarity, listening to colleagues' opinions, actively and proactively coordinating with colleagues to fulfill assigned tasks.

Clause 5. Continuously studying to improve professional expertise to fulfill assigned tasks.

Article 5. Agricultural Extension Officer - Code: V.03.09.25

1. Tasks

a) Propose, develop, or participate in developing programs, plans, projects, economic and technical standards on agricultural extension, technology transfer programs and plans in agriculture; participate in developing policies and regulatory legal documents on agricultural extension.

b) Lead the development of professional guidance documents on agricultural extension; report on interim results, summaries, evaluations of agricultural extension activities.

c) Lead or participate in implementing agricultural extension projects, plans, tasks (training, seminars, information dissemination, model demonstration and replication, advisory services and agricultural extension services).

d) Participate in international cooperation activities related to agricultural extension.

đ) Participate in inspecting and evaluating agricultural extension activities.

e) Monitor and oversee agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture within the assigned geographical area and field.

g) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for professional competence

a) Proficiently understand the Party's guidelines and state policies and laws on agricultural extension.

b) Proficiently understand specialized knowledge and economic and technical standards on agricultural extension relevant to the job position.

c) Possess methods and skills in conducting agricultural extension activities, have teamwork skills suitable for the job position.

d) Have experience and understanding of local agricultural production conditions.

đ) Have led, managed, or participated in central or local-level agricultural extension projects or scientific and technological research topics at the ministry, provincial, or district level.

3. Educational and Training Standards

a) Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or another relevant specialty corresponding to the job position.

4. Civil servants participating in the examination or evaluation for promotion to the occupational title of Agricultural Extension Officer must have held the occupational title of Agricultural Extension Officer or an equivalent position for at least nine years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting application registration forms for the examination or evaluation for promotion.

Article 6. Agricultural Extension Worker - Code: V.03.09.26

1. Tasks

a) Develop or participate in developing professional guidance documents and technical standards on agricultural extension; report on interim results, summaries, and evaluations of agricultural extension activities.

b) Participate in editing and developing programs and guidance materials on agricultural extension.

c) Lead or participate in implementing agricultural extension projects, plans, tasks (training, seminars, information dissemination, model demonstration and replication, advisory services and agricultural extension services).

d) Participate in international cooperation activities related to agricultural extension.

đ) Participate in inspecting and evaluating agricultural extension activities.

e) Monitor and oversee agricultural extension and technology transfer activities in agriculture within the assigned geographical area and field.

g) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for professional competence

a) Proficiently understand the Party's guidelines and state policies and laws on agricultural extension.

b) Proficiently understand basic knowledge about agricultural extension, possess teamwork skills and appropriate methods for conducting agricultural extension activities corresponding to the job position.

c) Proficiently understand local agricultural production conditions.

3. Standards for educational qualifications and training

a) Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or another relevant specialty corresponding to the job position.

4. Civil servants participating in the examination or evaluation for promotion to the occupational title of Agricultural Extension Worker must have held the occupational title of Agricultural Technician or an equivalent position for the following specific periods:

a) In cases where they were initially recruited with an associate degree, they must have held the occupational title of Agricultural Technician or an equivalent position for at least two years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting application registration forms for the examination or evaluation for promotion.

b) In cases where they were initially recruited with a diploma degree, they must have held the occupational title of Agricultural Technician or an equivalent position for at least three years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting application registration forms for the examination or evaluation for promotion.

Article 7. Agricultural Extension Technician - Code: V.03.09.27

1. Duties

a) Directly guide techniques for farmers.

b) Compile data to serve the development of professional guidance documents on agricultural extension; report interim results, final outcomes, and evaluations of agricultural extension activities.

c) Monitor and compile data on the implementation of agricultural extension programs, projects, and plans.

d) Carry out or participate in specific tasks of projects, plans, and assignments related to agricultural extension (training, seminars, information dissemination, model construction and replication, advisory services, and agricultural extension services).

đ) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for professional competence

a) Understand the Party's policies and the State's laws regarding agricultural extension.

b) Understand the local agricultural production situation.

c) Possess basic knowledge about agricultural extension and have appropriate methods and skills for agricultural extension activities based on their job position.

d) Have basic computer technology skills.

3. Educational and Training Standards

Hold a college degree or higher in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, or another relevant field suitable for the job position.

Chapter III

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

PROFESSIONAL FUNCTIONAL CIVIL SERVANT FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Article 8. Professional ethics standards

1. Strictly comply with legal regulations; internal rules and regulations of the agency or unit; fulfill civil servant duties in professional activities.

2. Have good moral qualities, a spirit of unity, initiative, and close cooperation in work, listen to the opinions of the people and colleagues.

3. Be honest, enthusiastic, dedicated, and devoted to the profession.

4. Continuously study to improve professional expertise, actively research, and humbly learn from others.

5. Do not abuse name, position, or authority for personal or group benefits. Demonstrate courage and intelligence in combating actions that destroy forest management and protection.

6. Take responsibility for managing assets, support tools, means of transportation, and equipment and materials serving forest management and protection activities.

Article 9. Chief Forest Management and Protection Officer - Code: V.03.10.28

1. Tasks

a) Participate in developing policies, planning, and normative legal documents on forest management and protection, forest development, and forest utilization.

b) Lead or participate in developing and implementing sustainable forest management plans, programs, projects, and proposals on forest management and protection, forest development, and forest utilization.

c) Lead or participate in analyzing and compiling reports evaluating the effectiveness of forest management and protection within the unit and propose measures to enhance forest management and protection.

d) Lead or participate in scientific conferences, develop training programs, draft specialized technical content on forest management and protection, and organize training for lower-level civil servants.

đ) Carry out activities according to job responsibilities: monitor forest conditions; conserve forest biodiversity, flora, and fauna; protect forests; prevent and extinguish forest fires; control pests and diseases; allocate forest protection and development to households, individuals, and local communities; support local communities in buffer zones to stabilize livelihoods and economic and social development; conduct scientific research; provide advice and services; participate in international cooperation activities, and environmental education on forests.

e) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for professional competence

a) Master the Party's policies, the State's laws, and industry regulations on forest management and protection, forest development, and forest utilization.

b) Possess in-depth knowledge, comprehensive analytical skills, and the ability to propose solutions to improve forest management and protection efficiency; have organizational and personnel deployment capabilities in forest inspection organizations; have the ability to connect organizations and individuals involved in forest management and protection.

c) Have independent working skills, teamwork skills, creative thinking, research abilities, and the application of science and technology to perform tasks.

d) Have led or participated in developing sustainable forest management plans, plans, programs, projects, and proposals on forest management and protection that have been issued or approved by competent authorities.

3. Educational and Training Standards

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in forestry or another relevant field suitable for the job position.

4. Civil servants who apply for or undergo evaluation for promotion to the position of chief forest management and protection officer must have held the position of forest management and protection officer or an equivalent position for at least nine years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting registration forms for the examination or evaluation.

Article 10. Forest Protection Officer - Code: V.03.10.29

1. Duties

a) Drafting reports and documents of the unit on forest management, forest development, and forest utilization.

b) Leading or participating in the establishment and implementation of sustainable forest management plans, programs, projects, and proposals regarding forest management, development, and utilization.

c) Participating in the development of training programs, drafting specialized technical content for training lower-ranked staff members, and organizing such training.

d) Performing activities according to job position: Monitoring forest conditions; conserving forest biodiversity, flora, and fauna; protecting forests; preventing and extinguishing forest fires; contracting households, individuals, and local communities for forest protection and development; supporting local communities in buffer zones to stabilize their livelihoods and develop socio-economic activities; conducting scientific research; providing consulting and services; participating in international cooperation activities, environmental education, and awareness campaigns about forests.

đ) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for professional competence

a) Master the Party's policies, the State's laws, and industry regulations on forest management and protection, forest development, and forest utilization.

b) Having professional knowledge about forest protection, monitoring forest conditions, conserving forest biodiversity, eco-tourism, scientific research, and forestry techniques; using support tools, equipment, and devices specific to forest management work.

c) Possessing the ability to synthesize and report on specialized professional activities, proposing solutions to enhance the effectiveness of forest management and protection; having the ability to organize and arrange personnel for inspection and implementation of forest management and protection.

d) Having methods and skills to attract, gather, and mobilize people to participate in forest management and protection.

đ) Having the ability to work independently, teamwork skills, creative thinking, research, and application of science and technology to perform duties.

3. Educational and Training Standards

a) Graduating from a bachelor's degree or higher in forestry or a relevant field suitable for the job position.

4. Staff who take the examination or are considered for promotion to the position of Forest Protection Officer must have held the position of Forestry Technical Officer or equivalent for the following periods:

a) In cases where the initial recruitment requires an associate degree, they must have held the position of Forestry Technical Officer or equivalent for at least two years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting registration forms for the examination or promotion.

b) In cases where the initial recruitment requires a college diploma, they must have held the position of Forestry Technical Officer or equivalent for at least three years (excluding probationary period) up to the deadline for submitting registration forms for the examination or promotion.

Article 11. Forestry Technical Officer - Code: V.03.10.30

1. Tasks

a) Compiling data to serve the development of sustainable forest management plans, planning, programs, projects, proposals, and unit reports.

b) Implementing sustainable forest management plans, programs, projects, and proposals concerning forest management, development, and utilization.

c) Executing technical procedures, monitoring, and summarizing results of forest management and protection activities.

d) Performing activities according to job position: Monitoring forest conditions; conserving forest biodiversity, flora, and fauna; protecting forests; preventing and extinguishing forest fires; organizing conferences, seminars, exhibitions, forums, and study tours; providing consulting and services.

đ) Perform other tasks assigned by the unit leadership in accordance with the law.

2. Standards for Competence and Professional Skills

a) Understanding the Party's policies, State laws, and industry regulations on forest management, development, and utilization.

b) Having teamwork skills and methods for publicizing and mobilizing people to participate in forest management and protection.

c) Mastering technical procedures and having professional skills to carry out forest management and protection activities according to job position.

d) Proficiently using support tools, equipment, protective gear, and other necessary devices for forest management and protection.

đ) Having basic information technology skills.

3. Standards for educational qualifications and training

Graduating from a college diploma or higher in forestry or a relevant field suitable for the job position.

Chapter IV

CLASSIFICATION OF SALARIES ACCORDING TO PROFESSIONAL TITLES

SPECIALIST AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION STAFF

AND FOREST MANAGEMENT PROTECTION STAFF

Article 12. Principles for Salary Grading According to Professional Titles of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists

1. The appointment and salary grading into the professional titles of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists as stipulated in this Circular must be based on the job position, responsibilities, tasks, and professional qualifications currently held by the specialist.

2. When transferring from the current professional title of a specialist to a corresponding professional title of an Agricultural Extension Specialist or Forest Management and Protection Specialist, it shall not combine with an increase in salary grade or promotion in the professional title of the specialist.

Article 13. Methods for Salary Grading

1. The professional titles of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists as stipulated in this Circular shall apply the Specialized Professional Salary Scale for State-Owned Public Service Units' Staff and Officials (Scale 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on the Remuneration System for Cadres, Civil Servants, Officials, and Armed Forces Personnel (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP) as follows:

a) The professional title of Senior Agricultural Extension Specialist and Senior Forest Management and Protection Specialist shall apply the salary coefficient of Category A2, Group A2.2 (from coefficient 4.00 to coefficient 6.38).

b) The professional title of Agricultural Extension Specialist and Forest Management and Protection Specialist shall apply the salary coefficient of Category A1 (from coefficient 2.34 to coefficient 4.98).

c) The professional title of Agricultural Extension Technician and Forest Management and Protection Technician shall apply the salary coefficient of Category B (from coefficient 1.86 to coefficient 4.06).

2. The salary transfer for officials moving from their current professional titles to the professional titles of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 2 of Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007 of the Minister of Home Affairs guiding salary grading when upgrading, changing, or transferring categories of civil servants and officials, specifically as follows:

a) In cases where officials are transferred to the professional titles of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists with the same salary grade coefficient as their previous professional titles, they shall be graded at the same salary grade and percentage of seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) currently enjoyed in the old category (including the time considered for the next salary grade increase or for enjoying the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling if applicable in the old category) in the new professional title.

b) In cases where officials have been graded under Category A2, Group A2.1 according to the provisions of Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP when transferring to the professional titles of Senior Agricultural Extension Specialist or Senior Forest Management and Protection Specialist, the grading of salary grades in the new professional title shall be based on the years of service with mandatory social insurance contributions according to the wage scale and salary table prescribed by the State as follows:

Starting from Grade 02 of the professional title of Senior Agricultural Extension Specialist or Senior Forest Management and Protection Specialist, every three years (36 months), they will be promoted to one higher salary grade (if there are interrupted periods without enjoying social insurance benefits, these periods can be accumulated).

After transferring to the salary grading of Senior Agricultural Extension Specialist or Senior Forest Management and Protection Specialist as mentioned above, if the salary coefficient assigned in the new professional title plus the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the salary coefficient enjoyed in the previous professional title, they will continue to enjoy the retained difference coefficient to equalize the salary coefficient (including the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) enjoyed in the previous professional title. This retained difference coefficient will be enjoyed throughout the period the official is graded in the professional title of Senior Agricultural Extension Specialist or Senior Forest Management and Protection Specialist or when transferring to another equivalent professional title.

c) In cases where officials with a college degree were initially graded as Category A0 officials according to the provisions of Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP when transferring to the professional titles of Agricultural Extension Technician or Forest Management and Protection Technician, the grading of salary grades in the new professional title shall be based on the years of service with mandatory social insurance contributions according to the wage scale and salary table prescribed by the State (excluding the probationary period) as follows:

Starting from Grade 02 of the professional title of Agricultural Extension Technician or Forest Management and Protection Technician, every two years (24 months), they will be promoted to one higher salary grade (if there are interrupted periods without enjoying social insurance benefits, these periods can be accumulated).

After transferring to the salary grading of Agricultural Extension Technician or Forest Management and Protection Technician as mentioned above, if the salary coefficient assigned in the new professional title plus the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the salary coefficient enjoyed in the previous professional title, they will continue to enjoy the retained difference coefficient to equalize the salary coefficient (including the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) enjoyed in the previous category. This retained difference coefficient will be enjoyed throughout the period the official is graded in the professional title of Agricultural Extension Technician or Forest Management and Protection Technician. If the official is then promoted to a higher professional title, the retained difference coefficient will be added to the current salary coefficient (including the seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) to grade the salary in the newly appointed professional title and stop enjoying the retained difference coefficient from the day the salary is received in the new professional title.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 14. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular serves as the basis for implementing the recruitment, utilization, and management of Agricultural Extension Specialists and Forest Management and Protection Specialists working in public service units.

2. Pursuant to this Circular, the head of a public service unit that employs civil servants shall be responsible for reviewing the job positions of the unit, compiling a list of civil servants eligible for reclassification to the occupational titles of agricultural extension specialists and forest management specialists within their scope of management, submitting it to the competent authority for examination and decision-making or making the decision within the delegated authority or authorized power.

3. In cases where civil servants are reclassified from their current occupational titles to the occupational titles of agricultural extension specialists and forest management specialists as stipulated in this Circular, they must complete the training certificates according to the occupational title standards immediately after the training program is issued and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 15. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from February 26, 2021.

Article 16. Responsibility for Implementation

The heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, please report them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Department of Organization and Cadres) for research, amendment, and supplementation to ensure compliance.