Intermediate Forester - NR Forestry Specialist Int

Intermediate Forester -  Specialist Int

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:
Intermediate Forester
Job Class:
Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job : 96422
• Location: Blackduck
• Full/Part Time
  :
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary
  :
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/20/2026
• Closing Date:09/09/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours
  :
  Day Shift
• Days of Work
  :
  Monday-Friday
• Travel Required
  :
  Yes – fire suppression and training
• Salary Range
  : $26.89 - $ 39.22/ hourly; $56,146- $81,891 / annually
• Classified Status
  :
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit
  : 214 - MAPE (MN Association of Professional Employees)

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 looking for one (1) Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Intermediate, located in Blackduck, MN.

The Forestry Specialist Intermediate position exists to perform forest resource management work by administering one or two forestry sub‑programs at the Area administrative level under limited supervision. The Forestry Specialist Intermediate also performs field assignments across all Division programs so that forest resources are protected, managed, and utilized in accordance with department policy and procedure. This position occasionally functions as a lead worker to Forestry Specialists, Forestry Technicians, interns, emergency firefighters, temporary crews, and volunteers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Administer the Fire Prevention Sub‑program tasks within the assigned area.
• Direct the Invasive Species Sub‑program tasks within the assigned area.
• Interact and collaborate with other sub‑program and program staff at the Area, Region, and Statewide levels.
• Use GIS and 4
  
  Trees systems to input forest data, perform analysis, manage databases, and create maps.
• Engage in wildfire prevention and suppression activities to minimize threats to life, property, and resources.
• Receive and review burn permit requests from landowners and prescribed burn practitioners. Approve or deny requests based on knowledge of fire weather and fire science principles.
• Provide fire training to other foresters, emergency firefighters, and fire departments.
• Participate in outreach events to promote sustainable forestry and wildfire prevention to community or school groups.
• Operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools (pickup, trailer, ATV, snowmobile, fire engine, long‑handled tools, etc.).

Occasional overnight travel required. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Division employees must be able to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and occasionally on multi‑day assignments away from home during times of elevated fire danger to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfires or to respond to other natural disasters in Minnesota.

• 3 years (36 months) of forestry experience conducting fieldwork in at least three (3) of the following concentrations: use of GIS to collect and enter forest inventory, regeneration, or native plant community data; designing, appraising, administering, and scaling timber sales; applying silviculture techniques in reforestation, release and stand improvement; use of aerial photography for mapping, surveys, and data collection; application of methods to prevent or suppress wildfires.

OR

• 2 years (24 months) of any three of the above experience conducting forestry fieldwork and 1 year (12 months) of forestry experience performing program‑level or lead worker duties such as administering forestry programs, preparing reports/proposals,…