Forestry Specialist Intermediate

Job Summary

The DNR is looking to hire a Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate located in Big Falls, 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 Forestry Specialist Intermediate also performs 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.

Area sub-programs may include Wildfire Prevention and Suppression, Cooperative Forest Management, Ecological Classification System, Timber Sales, Silviculture, Forest Inventory, Forest Health, Terrestrial Invasive Species, State Forest Roads, State Forest Lands & Leases, and Forestry IT Systems.

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

• Plan, implement, assign, and analyze Forestry Sub-program tasks within the Area.
• Complete annual sub-program accomplishment reporting.
• Interact and collaborate with other sub-program and program staff at the Area, Region, and Statewide levels.
• Visit 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.
• Administer active timber sales, provide direction or corrective action to loggers, and scale cut forest products.
• Develop and implement silviculture case studies to monitor short- and long-term impacts of management activities on state forest lands.
• Use GIS and 4Trees systems to input forest data, perform analysis, manage databases, and create maps.
• Engage in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
• Perform actions as a Forest Officer to enforce fire and timber statutes.
• Receive and review burn permit requests from landowners and prescribed burn practitioners. Approve or deny requests based on knowledge of fire weather and fire science principles.
• Provide fire training to other foresters, emergency firefighters, and fire departments.
• Meet with private forest landowners, share management recommendations, and approve cost-share requests.
• Participate in outreach events to promote sustainable forestry and wildfire prevention to community or school groups.
• Operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, ATV, snowmobile, fire engine, long-handled tools, etc.).
• Perform site coordinator duties at assigned field stations by implementing Buildings and Facilities policy.

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 to the above experience and/or education, applicants must also demonstrate:

• 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.
• Knowledge of multi-use forestry concepts sufficient to conduct and evaluate management activities that benefit wildlife species, ecosystem health, recreational opportunities, and wood marketing and utilization.
• Planning skills sufficient to organize short projects, prioritize tasks, make recommendations on the direction of a project, provide leadership on small teams, and exercise limited discretion.
• Computer skills sufficient to keep records, analyze data, write reports, and communicate and collaborate with partners and colleagues using various applications (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcPro).
• Human relation skills sufficient to deal appropriately with supervisors, coworkers, special interest groups, loggers, and the general public in a variety of situations.
• Ability to use GIS, aerial photography, and surveys, for mapping and data collection.
• Ability to earn and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic wildland firefighter (FFT2) qualification within six months of hire.
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form sufficient to clearly convey information on forest management practices and policy to the general public, special interest groups, and other department employees.

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.