Forestry Technician

St. Louis County, Minnesota; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis County in Duluth, MN is seeking Forestry Technician Trainee/I/II to support county land and resource management. The roles involve field data collection, timber sales support, and reporting resource data under supervision.

The position is part of the Civil Service Basic Union Contract represented by AFSCME; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. Training is provided and career progression is available within the Forestry program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in SAF forestry or SAF forest technology program.
• Two years of verifiable forest management experience.
• Two years as Forestry Technician Trainee or SAF-equivalent training.

Responsibilities

• Assist in gathering, preparing and reporting resource data from the field.
• Support timber sales and land use program tasks.
• Assist in surveying, measuring and assessing resources for land management projects.

Education

SAF Forestry Bachelor's degree

SAF Forest Technology Associate’s degree

Two years of verifiable forest management experience

Two years as Forestry Technician Trainee

Job description

Are you interested in applying forest management techniques and practices to support the County's land and forest management program? A Forestry Technician position is now available in Duluth, MN. At St. Louis County you'll find competitive pay, professional development, work life balance, and great benefits.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026. The full salary range for Forestry Technician Trainee, including longevity pay, is $24.69 - $34.20 per hour. The full salary range for Forestry Technician I, including longevity pay, is $26.35 - $36.81 per hour. The full salary range for Forestry Technician II, including longevity pay, is $29.19 - $41.09 per hour.

This position is part of the Civil Service Basic Union Contract represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Forestry Technician Trainee

An employee in this classification is responsible for assisting in the more routine phases of County land and resource management activities as assigned according to governing laws and regulations. At this entry level class, employees perform routine and progressively more responsible tasks following established procedures and guidelines, and operations or assignments of a complex nature are referred to higher level technicians for assistance. Duties include assisting in gathering, preparing and reporting resource data from the field; conducting routine tasks concerned with timber sales and land use programs; and assisting in the surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a section supervisor, staff supervisor, or Land Manager.

Forestry Technician I

An employee in this class is responsible for participating in all phases of County land resource management activities as assigned according to governing laws and regulations. Work assignments in this class may range from carrying out routine tasks performed under immediate supervision to independently handling specific procedural tasks under the general direction of a field project leader. Or, under specific situations with demonstrated skill and experience, the employee may be assigned as a task leader for specific short term project(s). Duties include gathering, preparing and reporting resource data from the field in support of planning and marketing functions; conducting tasks concerned with timber sales and land use programs; and performing surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects. The work is performed under the supervision of the Area Manager, or depending upon assignment, the Land and Minerals Department staff officer in charge of the program.

Forestry Technician II

An employee in this class is responsible for participating in all phases of County land resource management activities as assigned. Assignments and responsibilities that distinguish this classification from the Forestry Technician I class include the following: making more extensive and independent adaptations of field procedures; survey assignments typically involve the application of more skill and experience; duties involve the application of more complex resource variables; the employee will have lead worker responsibilities on specific field assignments; there is more responsibility for planning, directing and organizing work and for making final inspections; and the overall level of responsibility for work assignments is of a more difficult and independent nature. Duties include preparing and reporting resource data from the field; surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects; and carrying out specialized practices in forest management protection. The work is performed under the supervision of the Area Manager, or, depending upon assignment, the Land and Minerals Department staff officer in charge of the program.

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Level lift up to 25 pounds; elevated lift up to 15 pounds; carry (wear field vest with supplies) 30 pounds; grip strength up to 25 pounds; balance; grasp/handle; reach above shoulder; stand; walk; hearing and vision. FREQUENT: Low lift up to 30 pounds; sit; works alone; works with others; customer/public contact; inside; outside; drive; exposure to weather; slippery surfaces. OCCASIONAL: Low lift up to 50 pounds; very low lift up to 140 pounds; push/pull up to 50 pounds; pull force (peak force) up to 150 pounds; climb stairs; crouch/squat; kneel; rotate trunk; stoop/bend; extended day; unprotected heights; chemicals; moving objects; traffic. RARE: Crawl.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician Trainee (Pass/Fail)

• Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) under the Forestry program standard.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

NOTE: After completion of two years in this classification, an employee, with the recommendation of the Department Head and upon satisfactory service rating, may be promoted to the Forester I classification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician I (Pass/Fail)

• Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) under the Forestry program standard; OR graduation from a technical college with an Associate’s degree accredited by the SAF under the Forest Technology program standard and two (2) years of verifiable, full-time paid experience in forest management; OR two (2) years of experience as a Forestry Technician Trainee.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician II (Pass/Fail)

• Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor's degree accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) under the Forestry program standard and two (2) years of verifiable, full-time paid experience in forest management; OR graduation from a technical college with an Associate's degree accredited by the SAF under the Forest Technology program standard and four (4) years of verifiable, full-time paid experience in forest management.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Note: If the successful candidate possesses the above qualifications, they may be considered, at the discretion of the hiring authority, for appointment at the Forestry Technician Trainee, Forestry Technician I or the Forestry Technician II level. This would be determined at the time a job offer is extended.

RATING SYSTEM

Supplemental Questions will be 100% of the scoring process:

• Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 10-14.
• Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT &SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE

• September 8, 2026 - Applicant screening will begin
• Week of September 21, 2026 - Supplemental question rating to be completed
• Week of October 5, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible