NR Forest Fire Response Lead

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Grand Rapids (MN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hiring NR Forest Fire Response Leads in Grand Rapids, MN. These full-time seasonal roles involve directing emergency firefighters and leading initial attack to control wildfires within the Forestry division.

As part of the Grand Rapids Region, you’ll operate and maintain suppression equipment, support lightning-free operations, and participate in prescribed burns. The split-season schedule may require weekend and holiday work.

Qualifications

• Two months wildfire response experience or diploma/associate degree in natural resource management with an emphasis in wildland firefighting.
• Knowledge of wildfire suppression including initial attack, fire behavior, fire control, mop up, and fire line safety.
• Knowledge of fire suppression equipment maintenance and operation.
• Knowledge of state and local fire laws and regulations.
• Ability to understand and use the Forestry Administrative Area Fire Plan for preparation and response.
• Communication skills for routine and crisis interagency transmission.
• Ability to recognize reportable events to meet Forestry fire reporting requirements.
• Ability to maintain and organize fire line equipment for quick access.
• Ability to use maps and GPS to locate fires by section, township, range, and lat/long.
• Ability to operate fire equipment to suppress fires safely.
• Ability to coach and direct emergency firefighters.
• Must have a valid Class A CDL or permit within six months of hire.
• Pass the DNR Forestry physical standards on the NWCG workout test.
• Must complete: S-130, S-190, I-100, L-180, IS-700.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for wildfire suppression by organizing equipment and maintaining supplies.
• Respond to initial attack on wildfires and assist with prescribed burns.
• Assist Area Supervisor with fire prevention activities and training.
• Travel for fire suppression throughout Minnesota as needed.

Skills

Wildfire response

Initial attack knowledge

Fire behavior knowledge

Fire line safety

Equipment maintenance

Fire reporting

Maps and GPS

Physical stamina

Team coaching

CDL/driver training

Education

Diploma or associate degree in Natural Resource Management (Wildland Firefighting emphasis)

Tools

GPS & Maps

Job description

• Job ID: 96510
• Location: Grand Rapids
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Seasonal
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/01/2026
• Closing Date: 09/21/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, varies
• Salary Range: $21.33 - $26.62 / hourly; $44,537 - $55,582 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 203 - Service/AFSCME
• Work Area: Grand Rapids Region
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: NR Forest Fire Response Lead

Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Fire Response Lead

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 96510
• Location: Grand Rapids
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Seasonal
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Data Posted: 09/01/2026
• Closing Date: 09/21/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Forestry
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, varies
• Salary Range: $21.33 - $26.62 / hourly; $44,537 - $55,582 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 203 - Service/AFSCME
• Work Area: Grand Rapids Region
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The DNR is currently seeking to hire multiple NR Forest Fire Response Leads within the Division of Forestry. These positions are located in Grand Rapids, MN.

This is a split season position with anticipated season dates of February 23 to June 5 and September 14 to November 13. Seasons are subject to change based on weather conditions. Hours of work may vary and include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

This position performs routine wildfire response and preparation work and leads emergency fire fighters to control and extinguish wildfires for the Department of Natural Resources.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparation for wildfire suppression by organizing and maintaining equipment, maintaining an inventory of supplies and requesting new supplies as needed, winterizing fire suppression equipment before storage at the end of fire season, and maintaining buildings and grounds.
• Responding for initial attack on wildfires and working on prescribed burns as part of the area wildfire suppression team by leading emergency fire fighters, operating fire suppression equipment, protecting the fire scene and gathering information for investigators, and completing initial reports.
• Assisting Area Supervisor with fire prevention activities by directing emergency fire suppression personnel and assisting with their training.
• This position requires hand and power tool operation, strenuous physical work under unfavorable conditions, endurance to perform tasks under extreme environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, wind, and smoke, and travel for fire suppression purposes throughout Minnesota.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two months wildfire response experience or diploma / associates degree in natural resource management with an emphasis in wildland firefighting.
• Knowledge of wildfire suppression including initial attack, fire behavior, fire control, mop up, and fire line safety sufficient to effectively suppress fires.
• Knowledge of fire suppression equipment maintenance and operation sufficient to prepare and respond to wildfire suppression needs.
• Knowledge of state and local fire laws and regulations sufficient to report violations.
• Ability to understand and use information contained in the Forestry Administrative Area Fire Plan sufficient to prepare for and respond to wildfires.
• Communication skills sufficient to ensure accurate and effective transmission of information through internal and interagency communications for routine and crisis situations.
• Ability to recognize reportable events sufficient to meet Forestry fire reporting requirements.
• Ability to maintain and organize fire line equipment so that equipment is functioning and available when needed to suppress fires.
• Ability to use maps and GPS equipment sufficient to quickly locate fires and access routes by section, township, range, and latitude/longitude.
• Ability to operate fire equipment sufficient to carry out fire suppression activities in a safe and effective manner.
• Ability to coach and direct emergency firefighters to ensure effective and safe suppression and pre-suppression activities.
• Possession of a valid Class A (Commercial) Driver's License or a Commercial Learner's Permit within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to pass the DNR Forestry physical standards on an annual basis based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group work capacity test at the moderate fitness level.
• Must have successfully completed the following training: Fire Fighter Training S-130; Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior S-190, Introduction to Incident Command System I-100, Human Factors on the Fire Line L-180, and Incident Management System and Introduction IS-700.

Preferred Qualifications

• National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) Red Card qualified Engine Boss (ENGB), Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), Tracked Vehicle Operator (TVOP) and/or Initial Attack Dozer Operator (DOZ1), Helicopter Crew Member (HECM), Squad Boss (FFT1), Faller Class B (FALB).
• Knowledge of DNR Forestry fire reporting system sufficient to complete and enter reports.

Additional Requirements