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Forestry Specialist Intermediate

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Intermediate Forester
 Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

  • Job ID: 90817
  • Location: Backus, Bagley. Baudette, Caledonia, Detroit Lakes, Little Falls, Littlefork, Mankato or New Ulm, McGregor, Nimrod, Park Rapids, Warroad, Williams
  • Telework Eligible: No
  • Full/Part Time: Full-Time
  • Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
  • Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
  • Date Posted: 12/13/2025
  • Closing Date: 01/05/2025
  • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
  • Division/Unit: Forestry
  • Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
  • Days of Work: Monday-Friday
  • Travel Required: Yes – occasionally
  • Salary Range: $26.43 - $ 38.55/ hourly; $55,186- $80,492 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit:  214 - MAPE (MN Association of Professional Employees)
  • FLSA Status:  Exempt-Professional
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

 

The DNR is looking for several Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediates; One (1) in each of the following locations: Backus, Bagley. Baudette, Caledonia, Detroit Lakes, Little Falls, Littlefork, Mankato or New Ulm, McGregor, Nimrod, Park Rapids, and Williams. Additionally, there are two (2) openings in Warroad, MN. 

The Forestry Specialist Intermediate position exists to perform forest resource management work by administering one or two forestry sub-programs at the Area administrative level under limited supervision. The Forestry Specialist Intermediate also performs field assignments across all Division programs so that forest resources are protected, managed, and utilized in accordance with department policy and procedure. This position occasionally functions as a lead worker to Forestry Specialists, Forestry Technicians, interns, emergency firefighters, temporary crews, and volunteers.

Area sub-programs may include Wildfire Prevention and Suppression, Cooperative Forest Management, Ecological Classification System, Timber Sales, Silviculture, Forest Inventory, Forest Health, Terrestrial Invasive Species, State Forest Roads, State Forest Lands & Leases, and Forestry IT Systems.

Forestry Specialist Intermediate responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Plan, implement, assign, and analyze Forestry Sub-program tasks within the Area.
  • Complete annual sub-program accomplishment reporting.
  • Interact and collaborate with other sub-program and program staff at the Area, Region, and Statewide levels.
  • Visit forest stands, collect data, and apply knowledge of forest management science to develop silviculture prescriptions that meet forest plans, wildlife habitat goals, and department policy.
  • Administer active timber sales, provide direction or corrective action to loggers, and scale cut forest products.
  • Develop and implement silviculture case studies to monitor short- and long-term impacts of management activities on state forest lands.
  • Use GIS and 4Trees systems to input forest data, perform analysis, manage databases, and create maps.
  • Engage in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
  • Perform actions as a Forest Officer to enforce fire and timber statutes.
  • Receive and review burn permit requests from landowners and prescribed burn practitioners. Approve or deny requests based on knowledge of fire weather and fire science principles.
  • Provide fire training to other foresters, emergency firefighters, and fire departments.
  • Meet with private forest landowners, share management recommendations, and approve cost-share requests.
  • Participate in outreach events to promote sustainable forestry and wildfire prevention to community or school groups.
  • Operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, ATV, snowmobile, fire engine, long-handled tools, etc.).
  • Perform site coordinator duties at assigned field stations by implementing Buildings and Facilities policy.

Occasional overnight travel required. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Division employees must be able to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasionally on multi-day assignments away from home during times of elevated fire danger to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfires or to respond to other natural disasters in Minnesota.

Qualifications

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Applicants must have related forestry experience, which may be met through one of the following: 3 years (36 months) of forestry experience conducting fieldwork using GIS in any of the following: collecting forest inventory, regeneration, and native plant community data; designing, appraising, administering, and scaling timber sales; applying silviculture techniques (reforestation, release, stand improvement); and/or aerial photography for mapping, surveys, and data collection, and/or application of methods to prevent or suppress wildfires.

OR

  • 2 years (24 months) of the above experience conducting forestry fieldwork and 1 year (12 months) of forestry experience performing program-level or lead worker duties such as administering forestry programs, preparing reports/proposals, monitoring outcomes, or assigning work.
  • An associate’s degree may substitute 6 months of fieldwork experience. 
  • A bachelor’s degree may substitute 1 year (or 12 months) of fieldwork experience.

In addition, applicants must also have:

  • Ability to earn National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic firefighter (FFT2) qualification within 6 months of hire.
  • Planning skills sufficient to manage a forestry sub-program; make schedules, assign job tasks, lead Area teams, track and report progress, make programmatic decisions, and exercise discretion under limited supervision.
  • Human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor work progress of others, resolve task conflicts with loggers, contractors, the public, and other employees, and represent the division on committees or work groups.
  • Ability to communicate orally and in written form sufficient to clearly teach or train others and convey complex forest management practices or policy to coworkers, contractors, special interest groups, or the public.
  • Knowledge of multi-use forestry concepts sufficient to plan, conduct, and evaluate management activities that benefit wildlife species, ecosystem health, recreational opportunities, and wood marketing and utilization.
  • Computer skills sufficient to keep records, analyze data, manage databases, write reports, and communicate and collaborate with partners and colleagues using various applications (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe, ArcGIS).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in a forestry program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
  • Leadership skills or training (such as L-280, “Followership to Leadership”) sufficient to collaborate, make decisions, give direction, motivate, and influence others.
  • Experience completing tasks in programs administered by the Division of Forestry including Wildfire Prevention and Suppression, Cooperative Forest Management, Ecological Classification System, Timber Sales, Silviculture, Forest Inventory, Forest Health, Terrestrial Invasive Species, State Forest Roads, and State Lands & Leases.
  • Qualified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), Engine Operator (ENOP), Tracked Vehicle Operator (TVOP), or Basic Faller (FAL3).
  • Current licensures or certificates related to the position, which may include pesticide applicator, forest officer, fire investigator, or certified blaster.
  • Knowledge of Division of Forestry policies and procedures sufficient to implement assigned tasks safely and within legal and ethical guidelines.
  • Successful completion of the Division of Forestry's training program for forestry technicians and forestry specialists.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record. Per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status). 

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

  • Conflict of Interest Review
  • Criminal History Check
  • Education Verification
  • Employment Reference / Records Check
  • License / Certification Verification

Application Details

 

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about these positions, contact Matt Wappler at matt.wappler@state.mn.us or 651-259-5829.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Layla Daleiden at layla.daleiden@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

  • A sense of purpose in their work
  • Connection with their coworkers and communities
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include: 

  • Paid vacation and sick leave 
  • 12 paid holidays each year 
  • Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
    • Fertility care, including IVF
    • Diabetes care
    • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
  • 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
  • Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
  • Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
  • Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
  • Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

  • Training, classes, and professional development
  • Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

  • A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
  • Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
  • Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

 

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.