Forestry Specialist

Join to apply for the Specialist role at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

• Job
• Location:
  
  Blackduck (Other locations available:
  Aitkin, Backus, Bagley, Baudette, Bemidji, Big Falls, Effie, Finland, Grygla, Lewiston, Littlefork, Northome, Onamia, Orr, Outing, Preston, Sandstone, Sebeka, Warroad and Williams, Minnesota)
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 12/19/2025
• Closing Date: 01/20/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit:
  Forestry
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Telework Eligible:
  No
• Travel Required:
  
  Yes, occasionally
• Salary Range: $24.79 - $35.96 / hourly; $51,761 - $75,084 / 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
• Working Title:
  
  Specialist
• Job Class:
  Natural Resources Forestry Specialist

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Other

• Government Administration

The Forestry Specialist position exists to implement program support tasks across all Division of Forestry programs so that forest resources are protected, managed, and utilized in accordance with department policy and procedure. During periods of elevated wildfire danger, the specialist will work weekends, evenings, and holidays and will travel for incidents and multi‑day assignments.

• Evaluate the condition of forest stands and apply native plant community guidelines, develop silvicultural prescriptions, and determine harvest systems to meet multiple resource goals.
• Appraise timber for sale, implement forest management guidelines, market permits to timber purchasers, administer state timber permits, and scale cut products.
• Visit forest stands impacted by insects, disease, or fire and create plans to respond to those effects.
• Create maps in GIS programs, analyze and interpret air photos, and use GPS and/or compass to navigate to forest stands to establish management boundaries.
• Engage in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
• Collect forest inventory data using common forestry tools and mobile data recorders.
• Analyze forest inventory data, input into GIS databases, and adjust stand boundaries.
• Identify tree, shrub, and plant species common to Minnesota.
• Use the Ecological Classification System to determine native plant communities and update maps.
• Apply statistical methods to develop timber cruises and accurately estimate standing volume.
• Propose tree planting, site preparation, or timber stand improvement projects to meet management plan objectives.
• Locate, identify, and map instances of terrestrial invasive plants and propose treatments to control infestations.
• Operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, ATV, snowmobile, fire engine, long‑handled tools, etc.).
• Meet with private landowners and provide advice to manage private woodlands.
• Participate in presentations and outreach to the public and to internal and external agency partners.
• Lead seasonal or intermittent employees, student interns, and emergency hire firefighters to meet assigned objectives.
• Review and approve, or deny, burn permit requests.

• At least two (2) years’ experience in forestry that demonstrates scientific knowledge of forest resource management, applying forest management guidelines, understanding sampling statistics and forest mensuration, knowledge of plant physiology and dendrology, and competency in GIS, aerial photography, and cartography.
• Ability to earn and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic wildland firefighter (FFT2) qualification within six months of hire.
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form sufficient to convey forest management practices and policy to the public, partners, and employees; human‑relation skills for various situations.
• Demonstrated planning skills to organize short projects, prioritize tasks, make recommendations, provide leadership on…