Program Forester

Job Summary

The DNR is currently seeking two (2) full-time NR Forestry Specialist Seniors, one (1) in Little Falls, MN and one (1) in Mora, MN. These positions will function as a Program Team Leader in the management, planning, and implementation of one, or more, major forestry program or a significant portion of a program that, on average, takes 40% or more of an Area’s total FTEs to implement, at the Area administrative level.  These positions serves as program manager at the Area Administrative level and will also function as an area team member to implement field assignments. 

Little Falls responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Direct the Camp Ripley timber management and forest inventory programs at the Area level so they are effective, follow policies, and meet targets and goals
• Direct the Camp Ripley and Little Falls silviculture programs so they are effective, follow policies, meet targets and goals, enhance state forest lands, and meet Camp Ripley goals.
• Provide wildfire protection services for the Little Falls Area, for other in-state needs and to support national fire protection agreements. Maintain fire equipment and maintain and develop fire suppression skills.
• Implement assigned tasks under the lead of Area Supervisor or other Area program foresters during high program activity periods of the year.
• Perform special assignments on committees, boards, teams, and task forces and provide input for policy development so that programs are expanded, goals set, and large incidents are properly administered.

Mora responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Provide wildfire protection services for the Little Falls Area, for other in-state needs and to support national fire protection agreements. Maintain fire equipment and maintain and develop fire suppression skills.
• Direct all Private Forest Management programs in the Little Falls Area.  The position acts as a lead to formulate, advise, and assist with resource management activities on private lands, and with other public agencies and private organizations, so the forest resource will be utilized and managed to the greatest extent possible.
• Participate in the Forestry Incentives program through tasks related to incentives provided to private forest landowners.
• Be the primary local contact for the Little Falls Area when assistance is needed relating to the State’s Forest Legacy program (FLP).  The position exists, in part, to promote forest legacy easements on private lands of high conservation significance, and to assist the FLP coordinator.
• Direct all Urban and Community Forest Management programs in the Little Falls Area.  There are 100 communities within the Little Falls Area.
• Carry out activities relating to Division of Forestry outreach programs activities in order to improve public understanding and stewardship of natural resources.
• Implement field assignments under the lead of Area Program foresters or other Field foresters.

Qualifications

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 intermediate professional forest management with experience providing leadership in supporting program such as forest inventory, terrestrial invasive species, forest road administration, silviculture OR three years of entry-level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, forest inventory management.
• 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.

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).
• Certified Forest Officer.
• 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.