Natural Resources Forestry Assistant Supervisor

Job Summary

This is the Assistant Area Forestry Supervisor position for the Baudette Administrative Area located at the Williams Forestry Field Station. The Baudette Forestry Administrative area includes an area office in Baudette and a field station in Williams. The Baudette Forestry Area manages over 500,000 acres of public land in Lake of the Woods and Koochiching Counties in northern Minnesota. 

This position assists in the management of a Forestry Administrative area by supervising area field support staff (foresters, forestry technicians, seasonal fire staff); directing contract administration (logging, silvicultural work; managing forestry programs at the area administrative level; managing forest resources; and directing/supervising/representing all area operations in the Forestry Area Supervisor’s absence.

Responsibilities include:

Supervise area field staff including seasonal fire staff, forestry technicians, foresters, and office support staff to ensure effective management of the state’s natural and human resources. Interview and select staff affirmatively; assigning, scheduling, directing and evaluating work performance; approving satisfactory performance salary increases and achievement awards; and disciplining subordinate staff.

Administer, interpret and implement assigned Forestry programs at the area administrative level by interpreting program policy, developing program goals and objectives; managing area field operations; assigning work, inspecting and evaluating program activities; developing alternative work plans to resolve performance issues; monitoring the development of bid specifications and administering contracts; developing program budgets; and solving administrative problems. 

Disseminate information on forestry issues to division leadership so that the public, legislature and other jurisdictions and organizations are well informed on resource issues. Coordinate development and implementation of public information and education activities for programs in the local management area. 

Manage one assigned Forestry program: This position is assigned one area forestry program in either Silviculture or Timber Management, which is subject to change based on supervisor discretion. The Silviculture program ensures adequate regeneration is occurring on state land, by planning regeneration checks, planning for tree planting and site preparation activities, and working with private landowners and others on tree planting activities. The Timber Program manages our annual stand exam lists, timber auctions, and works with contractors and forestry staff to ensure timber resources are managed sustainably in the area, as well as ensure adherence to all state policies, regulations and statutes related to timber harvest and management. 

In addition to managing one forestry program and supervising staff, this position also maintains the ability to act as a field level forester, setting up timber sales, responding to fires, performing regen and inventory data collection, going on out of state fire assignments, etc. 

Occasional travel required to various locations in the Area and statewide for training, meetings, etc. 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 for fire response or other duties. Hours of work may be flexible with supervisor permission.

Operational Support: Provide work direction to other professional staff, technicians, laborers, temporary crews and contractors, such as contracted tree planters, road maintenance contractors, loggers, etc. 

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 and contributing to the area Fire Team by maintaining fire qualifications and attending State of MN Supervisor Core Training.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field of academic study).
• Four years of professional forestry experience including: two years of implementing local forestry program work such as terrestrial invasive species management, infrastructure projects, recreation coordination, and inventory quality control work, etc. Scope of the projects may include coordinating with colleagues and external contractors to achieve the goals and objectives of the department while working within policy framework. This includes assignment and explanation of work to colleagues. This work can be considered consistent with the work performed by NR Forestry Specialist – Intermediate.
• Knowledge of forestry management principles sufficient to implement public responsiveness techniques; administer department and division policies, procedures and operating guidelines and State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management; and negotiate complex inter-disciplinary forest management issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with resource management professionals to resolve conflict, solve inter-disciplinary resource management problems, and integrate Department strategic direction, vision, and mission.
• Ability to provide supervisory-work or leadwork that incorporates directing, coaching and resolving conflicts between employees.
• Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate with co-workers, technical audiences, local constituents and multicultural communities in order to effectively disseminate information.

Preferred 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.
• Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / ICT 5
• Single Resource Boss Qualified and ICT 4 trainee, Unit Leader Qualified or Forest Officer (FO) Investigator Qualified.
• Knowledge of budget policies, procedures and regulations sufficient to manage and administer budgets.
• Broad range of experience with all programs administered by the Division of Forestry with an emphasis on the following major field operation programs: 1) State Land Management (silviculture, invasives, roads, and timber management) 2) Resource protection with an emphasis on fire suppression and management; 3) Forest Resource Information and Analysis with an emphasis on Forest Inventory and 4) Cooperative Forest Management (private lands forest management).
• Completion of a Leadership Development Program.
• Certified Forest Officer or certified within the next training / certification cycle.
• Completion of a supervisory skill development program with training in the areas of: basic supervision, advanced supervision, communication, performance management, interpersonal skills, and leadership.