Forestry Specialist

• Job : 97381

• Location: Backus, Bagley, Big Falls, Mora, Nimrod.

• Telework Eligible :
  No

• Full/Part Time :
  Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted: 10/03/2026

• Closing Date: 11/09/2026

• 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, occasionally

• Salary Range: $25.22 – $36.59 hourly / $52,659 - $76,400 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 ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./connect
  700/) : 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 seeking to fill multiple Forestry Specialist positions across the state. This posting will be used to fill vacancies in the following work locations:
Backus, Bagley, Big Falls, Mora, and Nimrod, Minnesota. During the application process, applicants will choose their preferred location(s).

Depending on internal movement, this posting may be used to fill vacancies in these locations if they become available:
Aitkin, Backus, Bagley, Baudette, Bemidji, Big Falls, Blackduck, Effie, Finland, Grygla, Lewiston, Littlefork, McGregor, Northome, Onamia, Orr, Outing, Park Rapids, Preston, Sandstone, Warroad and Williams.

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 Forestry Specialist will be assigned to work weekends, evening, and holidays. Also, to support ongoing incidents, the Forestry Specialist will be assigned to travel throughout Minnesota on multiple-day assignments.

The Forestry Specialist commonly performs the following tasks:

• 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.

This position requires the ability to complete physically demanding tasks with or without accommodation and the ability to work independently in remote locations sufficient to accomplish work without immediate…