Tech Forestry

Working Title:

Forestry
Job Class:
Natural Resources Technician Forestry
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

Job

Location:

Kabetogama Field Station
Telework Eligible:
No
Full/Part Time:
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary:
Unlimited
Who May Apply:
Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted: 02/20/2026
Closing Date: 03/12/2026
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
Salary Range: $24.41 - $34.24 / hourly; $50,968 - $71,493 / annually
Classified Status:
Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - Technical/AFSCME
Work Area:
Tower Area
FLSA Status:
Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
Yes

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, Division of Forestry, is seeking to fill one Forestry Technician position located in Kabetogama, MN. The Forestry Technician position exists to implement technical 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 Technician will be assigned to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Also, to support ongoing incidents, the Forestry Technician will be assigned to travel throughout Minnesota on multiple‑day assignments.

• Evaluate the condition of forest stands and recommend silvicultural prescriptions and harvest methods to meet multiple resource goals.
• Estimate standing volume, appraise timber for sale, and administer state timber permits.
• 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.
• Propose planting projects with appropriate tree seedlings and stocking rates.
• Propose and implement tending and timber stand improvement projects.
• Identify tree, shrub, and plant species common to Minnesota.
• Use air photos, maps, GPS, and/or compass to navigate to forest stands and establish management boundaries.
• Operate and maintain various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, fire engines, bulldozer, snowmobile, ATV, lawn mower, long‑handled tools, etc.).
• Provide outreach to the public and external agency colleagues.
• Lead seasonal or intermittent employees 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; the ability to work independently in remote locations; and the ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasionally on multi‑day assignments away from home during times of elevated fire danger.

To be considered for this job, applicants must have either:

• One year experience in forestry that demonstrates:
  • Knowledge of forest management, soils, hydrology, and ecology principles sufficient to evaluate stand conditions and recommend silvicultural prescriptions and harvesting regulations.
  • Experience using common forestry tools (e.g., GPS, prism, clinometer, diameter tape) to accurately collect and record forest inventory data and appraise and scale timber.
  • Plant identification skills sufficient to identify and record tree, shrub, and herbaceous species.
  • Knowledge of cartography, navigation, land survey techniques, and ability to use and interpret aerial photography and GIS software for mapping, species identification, and locating property lines.
• An associate degree or higher in forestry or a closely related field including coursework in:
  • Silviculture, forest management, or timber sale design.
  • Forest measurements, forest inventory, or timber appraisal.
  • Dendrology, plant…