Forestry Specialist Intermediate—Big Falls

ForestryWorks; Big Falls (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota DNR in Big Falls, MN seeks a Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate to manage forestry sub-programs and perform field assignments across division programs. The role supports forest resource management, applying silviculture principles, data collection, and GIS analysis to protect and utilize state forest resources.

Occasional overnight travel is required; typical hours Monday–Friday, with flexibility for weekends during high fire danger or incidents.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, assign, and analyze Forestry Sub-program tasks within the Area.
• Complete annual sub-program accomplishment reporting.
• Interact and collaborate with sub-program and program staff at Area, Region, and Statewide levels.
• Visit forest stands, collect data, and apply silviculture knowledge to meet forest plans and habitat goals.
• 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 and resources.

Job description

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.

Occasional overnight travel required. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Division employees must be able to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasionally on multi-day assignments away from home during times of elevated fire danger to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfires or to respond to other natural disasters in Minnesota.