Seed Procurement Program Consultant

Are you looking for a meaningful job that will directly impact the growing need for reforestation on Minnesota’s public and private lands? DNR’s Forestry Division seeks a lead for the Seed Procurement and Tree Improvement Programs who will work with our State Forest Nursery to ensure an adequate seed supply to support reforestation efforts and keep Minnesota’s forests diverse and resilient in order to thrive in a changing climate. In addition to education requirements, the right candidate will have experience managing staff, budget and equipment needs; a background working with forest management, silviculture or similar disciplines; and strong communication and leadership skills.  

This position exists to provide statewide strategic direction to create, implement, and lead the forestry division’s seed procurement and tree improvement programs.  These programs will respond to the growing need for reforestation on public and private lands as a natural carbon sequestration and climate mitigation solution.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain a robust and effective seed procurement program to ensure adequate seed supply for reforestation on Minnesota public and private lands;
• Provide strategic direction for the Tree Improvement Program that plans, leads and conducts efforts in tree improvement and seed orchard management to increase seed production for public and private land reforestation in a changing climate;
• Develop, expend and monitor budgets t for the Seed Procurement and Tree Improvement Programs;
• Provide technical support to personnel working in areas with seed orchards or procurement sites to maximize seed production to meet procurement needs;
• Establish and administer training programs to expand statewide seed procurement capacity.
• Other duties as assigned by State Forest Nursery Supervisor.

Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but are subject to change based on seasonal or other work needs; hours of work may include weekends, evenings and holidays.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in agronomy, horticulture, (or a closely related field of academic study) OR a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management 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 (e.g., NR Forestry Regional Specialist, NR Forestry Program Coordinator or equivalent) administering a regional, state or organization-wide forest management program that includes responsibility for coordination of planning, implementation and evaluation of program and staff activities.
• Two years working with tree genetics, silviculture, seed procurement, tree improvement, or forest management sufficient to solve unusual or difficult problems, advise field staff, determine future program directions and evaluate program work.
• Experience administering a program sufficient to properly manage staff, budget and equipment resources; and to direct activities.
• Training/teaching skills sufficient to convey information in classrooms and provide field demonstrations, seminars, and workshops to DNR staff, partnering resource managers and the general public.
• Human relation, coaching, collaborative, persuasion, and team building skills sufficient to effectively work with diverse interests, gain cooperation for new approaches/ideas, explain/resolve complex program problems with internal/external partners to accomplish common conservation objectives.
• Written and oral communications sufficient to speak or write to large or small groups, legislative committees, officials of other agencies, private groups or the public; to write convincing and well-documented reports on resource issues; and to conduct training sessions with division staff or outside groups.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to motivate and guide self and other staff to work effectively with stakeholders through the application of a wide range of organizational, procedural, technical, analytical and interpersonal skills and ability to operate independently as well as in a team environment to prioritize work and achieve agreed upon milestones and deliverables.
• Computer skills sufficient to create/prepare reports, manage databases and track projects.
• Experience in meeting facilitation, group processes, conflict resolution, effective listening and negotiation sufficient to work with diverse groups, stakeholders, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree as described above.
• Knowledge of department and division programs, policies and procedures sufficient to make program decisions that are compatible with other policies and programs in the division and department.
• Experience collaborating with forest managers at a multi-state or national scale.
• Experience procuring wild and orchard grown seed, developing seed orchard growing stock and grafting, and creating and maintaining trees seed orchards.
• Continuous improvement process skills, root cause analysis and project management.
• Experience interpreting and applying natural resource/forestry laws.
• Experience with Arc View GIS.
• Knowledge of legislative process sufficient to develop legislative proposals, monitor status of legislation and understand legislative committee processes.