Cooperative Forest Management Forester - Forestry Specialist Senior

Overview

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 a full-time  Specialist Senior in Faribault to administer all Cooperative Forest Management (CFM) programs (Private Forest Management, Forestry Incentives, Urban and Community Forestry, and Forest Legacy) within an administrative area consisting of several counties.

• Direct all Private Forest Management programs in the designated Division of Forestry area by acting as a lead to formulate, advise, and assist with resource management activities on private lands, and with other public agencies and private organizations.
• Participate in the Forestry Incentives program through tasks related to incentives provided to private forest landowners, including state, federal and county cost share programs, the Sustainable Forest Incentives Act (SFIA) and the 2c Managed Forest Tax law.
• Direct all Urban and Community Forest Management programs in the designated Division of Forestry area.
• Serve as the primary local contact for the State s Forest Legacy program (FLP), including promoting forest legacy easements on private lands of high conservation significance, and to assist the FLP coordinator.
• Carry out work activities related to Resource Protection, including wildfire prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression on all ownerships within the designated area; statewide duties in resource protection associated with off-unit fire suppression as assigned.
• Carry out activities relating to Division of Forestry outreach programs to improve public understanding and stewardship of natural resources.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field) from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, or current SAF Certified Forester status.
• Two years intermediate professional forest management with experience providing leadership in programs such as forest inventory, terrestrial invasive species, forest road administration, silviculture OR three years of entry-level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, forest inventory management.
• Knowledge of forest management theory and techniques sufficient to plan and organize the management activities of a field station, oversee program practices within an area, and act as lead worker for professional employees and contractors.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate people and obtain program commitment from area personnel.
• Human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor the work of staff, resolve problems with loggers, clients, the public, and other employees; conduct training classes; and represent the division on committees and task forces.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills sufficient to work as a productive member of a team.
• Conflict resolution/human relation skills sufficient to negotiate, resolve issues, read situations, and settle disputes equitably by finding common ground and cooperation.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts and principles to other resource professionals and the public in verbal and written format.
• Ability to earn and maintain National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) basic wildland firefighting (FFT2) qualification.
• Ability 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 in Minnesota.

• Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures and operating guidelines and State statutes pertaining to natural resources management.
• Knowledge of division policies and procedures governing program activities such to follow them in fighting fires, developing forest tracts, conducting timber sales, building roads, and managing public and private forests.
• Knowledge of state policies and procedures for contract administration to write technical specifications and oversee contract work.
• Experience in timber sale administration.
• Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT
  5);
  Certified Forest Officer.
• Background or coursework in soil science, forest soils or hydrology.
• Broad range of experience with all programs administered by the Division of Forestry with emphasis on Cooperative Forest Management;
  Resource Protection with emphasis on fire suppression;
  Forest Resource Information and Analysis with emphasis on FIM; and State Land Management.
• Leadership Development Program completion; ESRI experience; PFMM experience; and prior completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development…