NR Forest Fire Response Lead

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

• Date 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 (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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

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.

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

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.