LTE Fire and Landscape Disturbance Technician​/Forestry Technician - Advanced; Madison

Introduction

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air, and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring an LTE (Limited Term Employee) Fire and Landscape Disturbance Technician at our Science Operations Center, in Madison, WI.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

This position will work in a variety of roles collaborating on new and ongoing research projects within the Division of Forestry, Forest Economics and Ecology section. The successful candidate will help design and implement research projects, conduct fieldwork, collect and maintain spatial databases, and perform spatial data analyses. Areas of focus will include:

• Developing a research project to evaluate the effects of prescribed fire on pine seedling mortality/survival.
• Helping to conclude a study on prescribed fire as a wounding mechanism in the establishment and spread of oak wilt pathogen.
• Assisting on a long‑term project which aims to add complexity through harvest and fire to pine forests in northern WI.
• Conducting fieldwork including measuring and monitoring prescribed burns and fire effects in meeting desired management outcomes.
• Supporting collaborative research (USFS, Tribes, DNR Etc.) evaluating fire impacts on difficult to regenerate tree species as well as historical role of fire in cultural landscapes.

• Coordination and planning of forestry fieldwork.
• Vegetation measurements.
• Set up long‑term demonstration areas.
• Establish marking guidelines in collaboration with state, county, and federal foresters.
• Coordinate treatments including marking, harvest schedules, and prescribed burning.

• Evaluate the role of low severity fire in mesic landscapes (e.g., collect historical data, including fire scar samples and tree cores, and monitoring of recent wildfires).
• Assist MTE in fire history work and lab setup.
• Sample preparation and fire scar cross‑dating.

• Data Collection for study evaluating fire and tree damage as a potential source of oak wilt infections including control work on outbreaks of oak wilt in oak stands.
• Assist in the development of best management practices for the application of fire for forest health.

• Design and implement spatial data inventory systems.
• Develop and manage standard geographically based datasets.
• Data preparation, QA/QC, and entry.

• Evaluate fire as a tool for regeneration of tree species.
• Evaluate prescribed fire effects on pine regeneration.
• Assist in study design and setup for project evaluating seedling mortality with prescribed fire.

This position pays between $20.50–$23.50 per hour and in the Forestry Technician Advanced classification in pay schedule and range 06‑14. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

• Offers a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.
• Provides opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.
• May accommodate flexibility for part‑time or full‑time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.
• Allows individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for a maximum of 1,039 hours in a twelve‑month period.

• Residency:
  To be…