Forestry Regional Specialist – Silviculture Program

The MN DNR Division of Forestry is seeking to hire a Forestry Regional Specialist in Bemidji, MN!

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position will develop and lead the Silviculture program activities at the Regional Administrative level. 

Duties include:

• Develop program goals and reports.
• Collect and analyze resource data and trends.
• Administer budget including preparation, administration, and implementation of business contracts.
• Monitor the work of Forestry Area Staff.
• Develop and deliver educational programs and materials.
• Train natural resource staff in the administration and implementation of forestry Silviculture programs.
• Complete formal Division of Forestry classroom and field training sessions as assigned.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change.  If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location on a regular basis.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field of academic study) from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, or comparable accrediting institution, or current Society of American Foresters Certified Forester status.
• Two years advanced level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist SENIOR class – plan, direct staff, administer budget, administer and implement programs, consult, interact with other resource disciplines and train and educate; OR three years intermediate level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist, Intermediate class.
• Skills to integrate information from scientific literature, historical data and past experiences sufficient to devise risk-rating systems and management guidelines.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate and guide staff to work efficiently and obtain program commitment from division personnel and other Forest managers.
• Human relations skills sufficient to direct, administer and train foresters and to lead personnel working in programs.
• Communication skills sufficient to communicate complex concepts and principals to other resource professions and the public and make effective presentations to a wide variety of audiences by identifying their level of understanding and evoking a positive response.
• Ability to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and management plans and research and interpretation scientific literature sufficient to solve problems, educate others and increase expertise in a specialty area.
• Ability to negotiate budget, staffing needs and equipment allocation sufficient to administer programs and train personnel.
• Ability to develop Silviculture schedules, studies, research projects and work assignments sufficient to efficiently and effectively accomplish Forestry program objectives and implement forestry science.
• Ability to administer Silviculture programs sufficient to manage, properly allocate limited resources and to direct activities.
• Ability to coordinate technical information and transfer data to prepare, administer and implement silvicultural treatment contracts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Department and Division policy, procedure and operating guidelines; State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management; of statistically sound survey techniques.
• Successful completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development Program; and a Leadership Development Program.
• Broad range of experiences with all programs administered by the Division of Forestry statewide with an emphasis on the major field operations programs: 1) State Land Management; 2) Resource Protection with an emphasis on fire suppression and management; 3) Forest Resource Information and Analysis with an emphasis on FIM; and 4) Cooperative Forest Management.
• Experience with the MN DNR Native Plant Community Classification System
• Experience in the application of ecosystem based silvicultural prescriptions and practices.