Intermediate Forester - NR Forestry Specialist Int

Working Title: Intermediate Forester

Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 97157

• Location : Aitkin

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/07/2026

• Closing Date : 10/27/2026

• 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

• Salary Range: $26.89 - $39.22 / hourly; $56,146 - $81,891 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• 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 looking to hire a Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate located in Aitkin, 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3 years (36 months) of forestry work experience;

A bachelor’s degree in forestry or closely related field may substitute 1 year (or 12 months) of forestry work experience; An associate degree in forestry or closely related field may substitute 6 months of forestry work experience.

In addition, applicants must also have:

• Knowledge of dendrology, plant ID, and forest measurements sufficient to collect forest inventory, regeneration data, and native plant community data

• Knowledge of forest economics, mensuration, and harvest systems sufficient to design, appraise, administer, and scale timber sales.

• Knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture techniques sufficient to prescribe reforestation, tree release, and stand improvement activities.

• Ability to use GIS, aerial photography, and surveys, for mapping and data collection.

• Abilityto earnNationalWildfireCoordinatingGroup(NWCG)basicfirefighter(FFT2)qualificationwithin 6 months of hire.

• Planningskillssufficienttomanageaforestrysub-program;makeschedules,assignjobtasks,leadArea teams, track and report progress, make programmatic decisions, and exercise discretion under limited supervision.

• Human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor work progress of others, resolve task conflicts withloggers,contractors,thepublic,and otheremployees,and representthedivisiononcommitteesor work groups.

• Abilityto communicateorallyandinwrittenformsufficienttoclearlyteachortrainothersandconvey complex forest management practices or policy to coworkers, contractors, special interest groups, or the public.

• Knowledgeof multi-useforestryconceptssufficienttoplan,conduct,andevaluatemanagement activities that benefit wildlife species, ecosystem health, recreational opportunities, and wood marketing and utilization.

• Computer skills sufficient to keep records, analyze data, manage databases, write reports, and communicateandcollaboratewithpartnersand colleaguesusingvariousapplications(e.g.,Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcGIS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’sdegree,orhigher,in aforestryprogramaccreditedbythe SocietyofAmericanForesters.

• Leadershipskillsortraining(suchasL-280,“FollowershiptoLeadership”)sufficienttocollaborate,make decisions, give direction, motivate, and influence others.

• Experience completing tasks in programs administered by the Division of Forestry including Wildfire PreventionandSuppression,CooperativeForestManagement,EcologicalClassificationSystem,Timber Sales, Silviculture, Forest Inventory,Forest Health,Terrestrial Invasive Species, State ForestRoads, and State Lands & Leases.

• Qualified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident CommanderType5(ICT5),EngineOperator(ENOP),TrackedVehicleOperator(TVOP),orBasicFaller (FAL3).

• Currentlicensuresorcertificatesrelatedtotheposition,whichmayincludepesticideapplicator,forest officer, fire investigator, or certified blaster.

• Knowledgeof DivisionofForestrypoliciesandproceduressufficienttoimplementassignedtaskssafely and within legal and ethical guidelines.

• SuccessfulcompletionoftheDivisionofForestry'strainingprogramforforestrytechniciansandforestry specialists.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record. 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

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.