Program Forester - Forestry Specialist Senior Litt

Program Forester –  Specialist Senior

Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Senior

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job : 91159
• Location: Little Falls, Mora
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 01/02/2026
• Closing Date: 01/22/2026
• 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 - occasional overnight
• Salary Range: $29.25 - $42.94 / hourly; $61,074 - $89,659 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• 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.

The DNR is currently seeking two (2) full‑time  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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field of academic…