Forestry Specialist Senior

At the DNR, we are committed to the conservation and management of the state's natural resources for outdoor recreation, economic development, and a sustainable quality of life.

Working Title:  Specialist Senior - Silviculture
Job Class:
Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Senior
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job : 96784
• Location
  :
  Cloquet
• Full/Part Time
  :
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary
  :
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply
  :
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted
  : 09/03/2026
• Closing Date
  : 09/23/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit
  :
  Department of Natural Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours
  :
  Day Shift
• Days of Work
  :
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required
  :
  No
• Salary Range: $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,138 - $91,224 / annually
• Classified Status
  :
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union
  : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

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.

The division of Forestry is seeking to hire one (1)  Specialist Senior
- Silviculture located in Cloquet, MN. This position will function as a Program Team Leader in the management, planning, and implementation of one, or more, major forestry program (as defined by the  Minnesota Forest Resources Plan
- Program Direction ) 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. This position serves as program manager at the Area Administrative level and will also function as an area team member to implement field assignments.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage and administer
  
  Forestry programs at the Area administrative level so they are effectively implemented, follow policies, and meet targets and goals.
• Coordinate annual tree planting, seeding, and site preparation projects with contract crews, including developing project specifications, ordering nursery stock, and inspecting completed work.
• Write silvicultural stand prescriptions that meet stand-level management objectives, Section Forest Resource Management Plan direction, and Forest Management Guidelines.
• Work with other DNR divisions, tribal, county, and other partners in determining management goals and coordinating review of the annual stand exam list.
• Plan and administer release and timber stand improvement treatments, and conduct regeneration surveys to evaluate treatment success and guide future management.
• Coordinate seed and cone collection with the State Forest Nursery and track silviculture accomplishments and expenditures toward Area work plan targets.
• Develop and administer budget in assigned program(s) so it is cost effective.
• Develop and coordinate management of policies and plan.
• Keep colleagues informed of new developments in methods and procedures and ensure that they maintain proficiency in Silviculture program.
• Implement Law Enforcement activities at the Area so that fire, timber, lands and state forest rules and statutes are enforced fairly and thoroughly.

• 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.  Specialist Intermediate class) ORthree years of entry-level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, forest inventory management(e.g.  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…