Forestry Specialist Senior – Silviculture Program

Job Summary

This position provides professional level program support work and administers and implements Division of Forestry programs. Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but are subject to change based on work needs; hours of work may include weekends, evenings and holidays. Division of Forestry programs include: State Land Management, Cooperative Forest Management, Resource Protection, Forest Resource Information and Analysis, Nursery and Tree Improvement and Administrative and Technical Support. 

State Land Management Program: Administer and implement state forest management policies and procedures. Manage, develop and protect complex forest ecosystems; apply silvicultural principles and practices to promote forest health and productivity; appraise forest resources for harvest; design harvest systems and regulations for timber sales; mark timber sale boundaries; administer state timber sales; measure cut forest products; and inspect state leases. Communicate to the public, stakeholders and other natural resource professionals on department policies, procedures, regulations and natural resources forestry science.

Cooperative Forest Management Program: Administer and implement cooperative forest management policies and procedures. Assist non-industrial forest woodland owners with the stewardship of their lands by providing forest management assistance and advice. Communicate to the public, stakeholders and other natural resource professionals on department policies, procedures, regulations and natural resources forestry science.

Resource Protection Program: Administer and implement forest resource protection policies and procedures. Collect and analyze weather information; plan for and manage suppression of wild fires; and oversee enforcement of natural resource protection statutes. Communicate to the public, stakeholders and other natural resource professionals on department policies, procedures regulations, and natural resources forestry science.

Forest Resource Information and Analysis Program: Administer and implement forest resource information and analysis policies and procedures. Collect and record forest resources information following the Forest Inventory Module (FIM) policies and procedures. Communicate to the public, stakeholders and other natural resource professionals on department policies, procedures, regulations and natural resources forestry science.
 
Formal Training: Complete formal Division of Forestry classroom and field training sessions as assigned.  This includes becoming a Certified Forest Officer within the next training / certification cycle.

Operational Support: Provide work direction to other professional staff, technicians, laborers, temporary crews and contractors.

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 journey level professional forest management with experience providing leadership in supporting program such as forest inventory, terrestrial invasive species, forest road administration, etc (e.g. NR Forestry Specialist Intermediate class) OR three years of entry-level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, forest inventory management(e.g. NR Forestry Specialist class).
• Knowledge of Forest management theory and techniques sufficient to plan and organize the management activities of a field station, oversee program management practices within an area, and act as lead worker for professional employees and contractors.
• Knowledge of division policies and procedures governing program activities sufficient to follow them in fighting fires, developing forest tracts, conducting timber sales, building roads, and managing public and private forests.
• Knowledge of state policies and procedures for contract administration sufficient to write technical specifications and oversee contract work.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate people and obtain program commitment from area personnel.
• Human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor the work of staff; resolve problems with loggers, clients, the public, and other employees; conduct training classes; and represent the division on committees and task forces.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts and principles to other resource professionals and the public in verbal and written format.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills sufficient to work as a productive member of a team
• Conflict resolution/human relation skills sufficient to negotiate, resolve issues, read situations and settle disputes equitably by finding common ground and cooperation
• Certified Forest Officer or certified within the next training / certification cycle.
• Requires an unrestricted Class D Minnesota Driver’s License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver’s license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures and operating guidelines and State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management.
• Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT 5)
• Single Resource Boss Qualified and ICT 4 trainee, Unit Leader Qualified or Forest Officer (FO) Investigator Qualified.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate people and obtain program commitment from area personnel.
• Successful completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development Program.
• Knowledge of water quality BMPs and Forest Management Guidelines sufficient to implement appropriate practices on a variety of forest management sites and situations.
• Experience in timber sale administration.
• Knowledge of wetland classification and/or delineation.
• Background or coursework in soil science, forest soils or hydrology.
• Broad range of experience with all programs administered by the Division of Forestry with an emphasis on the following 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.
• Completion of a Leadership Development Program.
• Experience using ESRI products