Job Summary

MN DNR—Division of Forestry (DOF) seeks to fill a Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate position, located in Blackduck, MN. The Forestry Specialist Intermediate performs forest resource management work by administering one or two forestry sub-programs at the Area administrative level under limited supervision.

The Forestry Specialist Intermediate also executes field assignments across all Division programs so that forest resources are protected, managed, and utilized in accordance with department policy and procedure. This position occasionally functions as a lead worker to Forestry Specialists, Forestry Technicians, interns, emergency firefighters, temporary crews, and volunteers.

Job Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Administering the Fire Prevention Sub-program tasks within the assigned area.
• Directing the Invasive Species Sub-program tasks within the assigned area.
• Interacting and collaborating with other sub-program and program staff at the Area, Region, and Statewide levels.
• Using GIS and 4Trees systems to input forest data, perform analysis, manage databases, and create maps.
• Engaging in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
• Receiving and reviewing burn permit requests from landowners and prescribed burn practitioners. Approve or deny requests based on knowledge of fire weather and fire science principles.
• Providing fire training to other foresters, emergency firefighters, and fire departments.
• Participating in outreach events to promote sustainable forestry and wildfire prevention to community or school groups.
• Operating various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, ATV, snowmobile, fire engine, long-handled tools, etc.).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years (36 months) of forestry experience conducting fieldwork in at least three (3) of the following concentrations: use of GIS to collect and enter forest inventory, regeneration, or native plant community data; designing, appraising, administering, and scaling timber sales; applying silviculture techniques in reforestation, release and stand improvement; use of aerial photography for mapping, surveys, and data collection; application of methods to prevent or suppress wildfires.

OR

• 2 years (24 months) of any three of the above experience conducting forestry fieldwork and 1 year (12 months) of forestry experience performing program-level or lead worker duties such as administering forestry programs, preparing reports/proposals, monitoring outcomes, or assigning work.
• An associate’s degree in forestry or a related natural resources field may substitute 6 months of fieldwork experience. 
• A bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related natural resources field may substitute 1 year (or 12 months) of fieldwork experience.

Additionally, applicants must also possess the following:

• An ability to earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic firefighter (FFT2) qualification within 6 months of hire.
• The planning skills sufficient to manage a forestry sub-program; make schedules, assign job tasks, lead Area teams, track and report progress, make programmatic decisions, and exercise discretion under limited supervision. 
• The human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor work progress of others, resolve task conflicts with loggers, contractors, the public, and other employees, and represent the division on committees or work groups. 
• An ability to communicate orally and in written form sufficient to clearly teach or train others and convey complex forest management practices or policy to coworkers, contractors, special interest groups, or the public.
• The knowledge of multi-use forestry concepts sufficient to plan, conduct, and evaluate management activities that benefit wildlife species, ecosystem health, recreational opportunities, and wood marketing and utilization. 
• Computer skills sufficient to keep records, analyze data, manage databases, write reports, and communicate and collaborate with partners and colleagues using various applications (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcGIS).

• The knowledge of multi-use forestry concepts sufficient to plan, conduct, and evaluate management activities that benefit wildlife species, ecosystem health, recreational opportunities, and wood marketing and utilization. 
• Computer skills sufficient to keep records, analyze data, manage databases, write reports, and communicate and collaborate with partners and colleagues using various applications (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcGIS).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in a forestry program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
• Leadership skills or training (such as L-280, “Followership to Leadership”) sufficient to collaborate, make decisions, give direction, motivate, and influence others.
• Experience completing tasks in programs administered by the Division of Forestry including Wildfire Prevention and Suppression, Cooperative Forest Management, Ecological Classification System, Timber Sales, Silviculture, Forest Inventory, Forest Health, Terrestrial Invasive Species, State Forest Roads, and State Lands & Leases.
• Qualified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), Engine Operator (ENOP), Tracked Vehicle Operator (TVOP), or Basic Faller (FAL3).
• Current licensures or certificates related to the position, which may include pesticide applicator, forest officer, fire investigator, or certified blaster. Knowledge of Division of Forestry policies and procedures sufficient to implement assigned tasks safely and within legal and ethical guidelines. 
• Successful completion of the Division of Forestry's training program for forestry technicians and forestry specialists.