Job Summary

MN DNR—Forestry is looking to hire one Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate, whose position is located in Cloquet, MN. The Forestry Specialist Intermediate position exists to perform forest resource management work by administering one or two forestry sub-programs at the Area administrative level under limited supervision. The primary sub-program assignment for this position is the Cloquet Area Timber Sales Program. This Forestry Specialist Intermediate position will provide assistance with the planning, establishment, and administration of the Area's annual timber sale program as a member of the Area timber team.

Forestry Specialist Intermediates also perform 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

Forestry Specialist Intermediate responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Planning, implementing, assigning, and analyzing Forestry Sub-program tasks within the Area, with primary responsibility for assisting in the delivery of the Area Timber Sales sub-program. 
• Assisting with the planning, design, cruising, appraisal, and establishment of timber sales to meet the Area's annual timber sale targets, including field layout, boundary marking, volume estimation, and product specifications. 
• Preparing timber sale permit documents, sale maps, and associated records; participate in pre-sale meetings with permit holders and operators; and maintain accurate, up-to-date timber sale files. 
• Administering active timber sales, conduct sale inspections, provide direction or corrective action to loggers, and scale cut forest products.
• Monitoring timber sale compliance with permit conditions, water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs), and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines, and complete sale closeout inspections. 
• Track timber sale status and accomplishments and assist with timber sub-program reporting and target tracking.
• Visiting forest stands, collect data, and apply knowledge of forest management science to develop silviculture prescriptions that meet forest plans, wildlife habitat goals, and department policy.
• Using GIS and 4Trees systems to input forest data, perform analysis, manage databases, and create maps, including timber sale maps and records.
• Engaging in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
• Performing actions as a Forest Officer to enforce fire and timber statutes.
• 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. 
• Meeting with private forest landowners, share management recommendations, and approve cost-share requests.
• 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 work experience. A bachelor’s degree in forestry or closely related field may substitute 1 year (or 12 months) of forestry work experience; an associate degree in forestry or closely related field may substitute 6 months of forestry work experience.

In addition, applicants must also have:

• Knowledge of dendrology, plant ID, and forest measurements sufficient to collect forest inventory, regeneration data, and native plant community data.
• Knowledge of forest economics, mensuration, and harvest systems sufficient to design, appraise, administer, and scale timber sales.
• Knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture techniques sufficient to prescribe reforestation, tree release, and stand improvement activities.
• Ability to use GIS, aerial photography, and surveys for mapping and data collection.
• Ability to earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic firefighter (FFT2) qualification within 6 months of hire.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.