Student Worker Paraprofessional

Job Summary

MN Department of Natural Resources—Division of Forestry (DOF) is seeking to hire a Part-Time Student Worker Paraprofessional, whose position will be located in St. Paul, MN. The future incumbent is anticipated to work July 2026 through December 2026.

This position exists primarily to perform GIS services or analysis. The Student Worker Paraprofessional will coordinate with staff to assist on assigned project work; program, design, write and code GIS and spatial analysis scripts; and perform other project work as assigned by the DOF’s Resource Assessment Program (RAP).  Examples of assigned projects include forest inventory tree plot database editing, urban street tree survey data analysis, cartography, GIS spatial analysis, data entry, editing, programming, Power App creation, and other project work.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collect, analyze, manipulate, and organize geospatial datasets using GIS. Create maps using GIS, spatial data, aerial photography, and other remotely sensed data to support program inventory and assessment projects.
• Database design and implementation using Microsoft Power Apps, Power BI, visualizations and automations in support of Resource Assessment Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support RAP program and Department or Division needs.

Qualifications

To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker,  candidates must be a student enrolled in an educational program or planning to enroll within three months. Students may be “off” for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as student workers, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year.

Students must be enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program. If a student is enrolled at a credit-granting institution, he/she/they must carry at least six semester (nine quarter) credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, a student must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load shall be treated as a semester/quarter off.

Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation.

The appointed Student Worker will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of 1 year of post-secondary education in Civil, Environmental or Agricultural Engineering; Forest Hydrology; Geography; Geology; Geophysics; Hydrogeology; Natural Resources and Environmental Studies; Soil Science; Water Resources Management; or equivalent; including at least two courses in, hydrology, hydraulics, or hydrogeology.
• Communication skills, sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Ability to accurately record, transcribe, and transfer data electronically.
• Organizational skills sufficient to prioritize a diverse workload and adjust to changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experienced in conducting, entering, and analyzing surveys.
• Experienced in data management.