Wildlife Technician - NR Technician Wildlife

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Cloquet (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid vacation & sick leave

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Wildlife Technician in Cloquet, MN. This full-time role focuses on executing wildlife management plans, field work, and protecting northern forest wildlife populations and plant communities.

Work occurs primarily in the Cloquet Wildlife Work Area with potential regional travel. Primary duties include safe operation of heavy equipment, habitat development, census, and public information.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in habitat management and related tasks.
• Class A CDL required with pre-employment drug screen; six-month window to obtain CDL if not possessed.
• Knowledge of botany, forestry, prairie, wetlands, soils and ecology.
• Experience with prescribed burning or wildfire suppression.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain heavy equipment, vehicles, and tools to implement wildlife habitat work.
• Plan and maintain public facilities (roads, trails, parking, signs) for wildlife use.
• Monitor wildlife populations and manage conflicts for sustainable recreation.
• Document data, complete forms and reports; maintain training and certifications.
• Coordinate with Area/Regional staff to communicate needs and programs.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

GPS navigation

Communication

Leadership

Physical fitness

Tools

GIS (ArcMap/ArcPro)

Job description

Job Class: NR Technician Wildlife

• Job ID: 96520
• Location: Cloquet
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/26/2026
• Closing Date: 09/15/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, Occasionally
• Salary Range: $ 24.02 - $ 33.86 / hourly; $ 50,154 - $ 70,700 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - Technical/AFSCME
• Work Area: Cloquet
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title

Wildlife Technician

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 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

The DNR is currently seeking a Wildlife Technician in Cloquet, MN. This position is an integral part of the DNR Cloquet Wildlife Work Area. The primary duties of this position are to execute wildlife management plans, conduct supporting field work, and protect and manage northern forest wildlife populations and plant communities for their intrinsic values and long-term benefits to the people of Minnesota. Work occurs primarily in the Cloquet Wildlife Work Area (Pine, Carlton & southern St. Louis Counties), but technician will also be expected to be part of a regional work pool with planned work and travel outside of the home area, as needed.

The chief duties are the safe operation and maintenance of heavy equipment, vehicles, tools, supplies, buildings, shop and public land facilities. Also assist in wildlife habitat project development and maintenance, wildlife census and survey, wildlife disease surveillance and nuisance animal response, and inform and be responsive to the public.

The nature of the work may require a high degree of flexibility in hours and days worked on a seasonal basis. Extensive day and occasional overnight may be required. During the prescribed burn season, crew members will be conducting burns on a weather dependent basis, which means possible weekends and extended/long hours.

Responsibilities Include

• To operate, maintain, clean and repair, or arrange repair of, heavy equipment, vehicles, other equipment and tools in order to implement approved area wildlife habitat maintenance and development activities on WMAs, State Forests, County Forests, and other public lands so that wildlife resources and public use are enhanced.
• Plan and implement the maintenance and development of public user and DNR management facilities including but not limited to roads, hunter walking trails, parking lots, boat landings, gates, kiosks, docks, signs, boundary lines, culverts, dikes, water control structures, firebreaks and emergency spillways.
• Monitor and manage wildlife populations so that population levels are maintained to provide recreational enjoyment on a sustainable basis, and so that human-wildlife conflicts are minimized.
• To document and submit required administrative forms, summaries, inventories and collected information timely and follow department procedures and fiscal responsibilities. Complete and maintain all required training and certifications required of the position.
• Effectively communicate wildlife management work and needs at the Area and Regional Wildlife levels in order to garner public understanding and support for wildlife management programs.

This position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical labor, work in hot, smoky conditions, walk long distances transporting up to 50 pounds of fire gear, and periodically work long days while performing prescribed burn operations, often in adverse weather and environmental conditions.

This job requires the ability to pass a moderate fitness test based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Work Capacity within 6 months of your start date and then on an annual basis. The test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound pack within 30 minutes.

Minimum Qualifications

• One (1) year experience performing similar work which will include skills and applied knowledge of habitat management techniques; prescribed fire or wildfire suppression techniques and methods; construction techniques and materials; landscaping methods and materials; safe equipment operation; and directing the work of others
• Position requires a Class A Driver's License (CDL), passing a pre-employment drug screen and participation in the DNR ongoing random screening program. Otherwise qualified applicants who do not have a valid Class A will be allowed up to six (6) months to acquire one, as a condition of employment. Employees who are required to retain this license will be included in the DNR Drug and Alcohol Plan. This will require the employee to be pre-employment drug tested and be included in a random drug and alcohol testing program.
• Knowledge of botany, forestry, prairie, wetland and forest ecology, zoology, biology and soils, inventory and assessment, and ability to identify native and exotic species.
• Experience with prescribed burning or wildfire suppression and the ability to annually complete the moderate level work capacity test.
• Knowledge and applied skills in the safe operation, transportation, maintenance and minor repair of, equipment and tools that include but are not limited to common types of agricultural, construction and vehicular equipment (tractors with loaders, skid steers, tracked vehicles, on highway vehicles, ATV/UTVs, pumps, trailers, fire equipment, tillage, planting and harvesting equipment).
• Knowledge and applied skills in basic equipment operation, maintenance and repair of power tools (chainsaws, brush saws, ATV's, sprayers, seeding drills, construction power tools).
• Working knowledge of computers, email, word processing, and spreadsheet software applications.
• Ability to navigate with map, compass, and GPS.
• Communication and comprehension skills sufficient to understand and carry out oral and written directions, accurately compile survey data, produce reports, and develop management and project plans.
• Ability to work and communicate accurately, honestly, and respectfully with diverse communities.
• Leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff, address complex and confidential issues, and work as a productive member of teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of land protection methods and conservation strategies.
• Experience in planning, preparation, and conducting prescribed burns.
• Certified as a firing boss or prescribed fire burn boss.
• Basic wildland firefighter training (S-130 Firefighter Training, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline, IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System).
• Certified pesticide applicator
• Possession of a current Class A – Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Two (2) years’ experience safely operating, maintaining, repairing, and transporting equipment, such as (but not limited to) heavy trucks, dump trucks, trailers, skid steers, tractors with attachments, tracked vehicles, dozer/crawlers, backhoes, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, chainsaws, brush saws, and hand/power tools.
• Demonstrated skills in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), particularly ArcMap/ArcPro, sufficient to perform spatial analysis, create map products, and maintain data on work accomplishments.

Additional Requirements

This position requires current possession of a valid Class A license or the ability to obtain one in the first 6 months of employment. The selected applicant will be required to pass a pre- employment drug screen and will be included in the ongoing DNR random drug and alcohol test program. Per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Chris Balzer at [e-mail] or 218-878-5665.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at [e-mail]. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Claudia Marquez-Aguirre at [e-mail].

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.