Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Program Forester - NR Forestry Specialist Senior
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Little Falls, Minnesota, United States, 56345
Program Forester - NR Forestry Specialist Senior
Job ID:
91159
Location:
Little Falls, Mora
Job Class:
Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Senior
Work Shift/Work Hours:
Day Shift, Monday – Friday
Telework Eligible:
No
Full/Part Time:
Full‑Time
Date Posted:
01/02/2026
Closing Date:
01/22/2026
Salary Range:
$29.25 – $42.94 per hour; $61,074 – $89,659 annually
Union:
214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status:
Exempt – Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
Yes
Responsibilities (Little Falls)
Direct Camp Ripley timber management and forest inventory programs at the Area level to ensure effectiveness, policy compliance, and target attainment.
Direct Camp Ripley and Little Falls silviculture programs to meet policy, target, and enhancement goals.
Provide wildfire protection services, maintain equipment, and develop suppression skills.
Implement tasks under Area Supervisor or other Program Foresters during high‑activity periods.
Serve on committees, boards, and teams to contribute to policy development and incident management.
Responsibilities (Mora)
Provide wildfire protection services for the Little Falls Area and support national fire protection agreements.
Direct all Private Forest Management programs, advising on resource management on private lands.
Participate in the Forestry Incentives program.
Act as primary local contact for the State’s Forest Legacy program (FLP).
Direct all Urban and Community Forest Management programs for the 100 communities within the Area.
Carry out Division of Forestry outreach program activities to improve public stewardship.
Implement field assignments under Area Program Foresters or Field Foresters.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Forest Science/Management or related field from an accredited university program, or current Society of American Foresters Certified Forester status.
Two years intermediate professional forest management with leadership experience, OR three years entry‑level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, and forest inventory management.
Knowledge of forest management theory and techniques to plan and organize field station activities.
Knowledge of division policies and procedures for program activities, including fire fighting, timber sales, road building, and public and private forest management.
Knowledge of state contract administration, enabling technical specifications and contract oversight.
Leadership skills to motivate personnel and secure program commitment.
Human relations skills to assign staff, resolve conflicts, conduct training, and represent the division on committees.
Ability to communicate complex concepts to professionals and the public, both verbally and in writing.
Organizational and interpersonal skills to function productively in a team.
Conflict‑resolution skills to negotiate and resolve disputes equitably.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures, and State statutes related to natural resources management.
Certified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).
Certified Forest Officer.
Completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development Program.
Knowledge of water quality BMPs and Forest Management Guidelines for diverse sites.
Experience in timber sale administration, wetland classification/delineation, and soil science, forest soils or hydrology.
Broad experience with major field operations programs (State Land Management, Resource Protection, Forest Resource Information and Analysis, Cooperative Forest Management).
Completion of a Leadership Development Program.
Proficiency with ESRI products.
Additional Requirements
Unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clean record.
Ability to meet physical requirements and work in environmental conditions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Verification of identity and employment eligibility at hire; no visa sponsorship.
Background check including conflict of interest review, criminal history, education, records, and license verification.
How to Apply Click “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. For questions regarding the application process, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651‑259‑3637 or email careers@state.mn.us.
Contact for positions:
Little Falls: Adam Hodge – adam.hodge@state.mn.us, 320‑630‑9990
Mora: Bobby Gajewski – robert.gajewski@state.mn.us, 320‑532‑3137
Equal Opportunity Employer The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employer. We encourage persons of color, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans, and all qualified applicants to apply without regard to protected characteristics.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job ID:
91159
Location:
Little Falls, Mora
Job Class:
Natural Resources Forestry Specialist Senior
Work Shift/Work Hours:
Day Shift, Monday – Friday
Telework Eligible:
No
Full/Part Time:
Full‑Time
Date Posted:
01/02/2026
Closing Date:
01/22/2026
Salary Range:
$29.25 – $42.94 per hour; $61,074 – $89,659 annually
Union:
214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status:
Exempt – Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
Yes
Responsibilities (Little Falls)
Direct Camp Ripley timber management and forest inventory programs at the Area level to ensure effectiveness, policy compliance, and target attainment.
Direct Camp Ripley and Little Falls silviculture programs to meet policy, target, and enhancement goals.
Provide wildfire protection services, maintain equipment, and develop suppression skills.
Implement tasks under Area Supervisor or other Program Foresters during high‑activity periods.
Serve on committees, boards, and teams to contribute to policy development and incident management.
Responsibilities (Mora)
Provide wildfire protection services for the Little Falls Area and support national fire protection agreements.
Direct all Private Forest Management programs, advising on resource management on private lands.
Participate in the Forestry Incentives program.
Act as primary local contact for the State’s Forest Legacy program (FLP).
Direct all Urban and Community Forest Management programs for the 100 communities within the Area.
Carry out Division of Forestry outreach program activities to improve public stewardship.
Implement field assignments under Area Program Foresters or Field Foresters.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Forest Science/Management or related field from an accredited university program, or current Society of American Foresters Certified Forester status.
Two years intermediate professional forest management with leadership experience, OR three years entry‑level professional forest management with experience in timber sale appraisal and administration, and forest inventory management.
Knowledge of forest management theory and techniques to plan and organize field station activities.
Knowledge of division policies and procedures for program activities, including fire fighting, timber sales, road building, and public and private forest management.
Knowledge of state contract administration, enabling technical specifications and contract oversight.
Leadership skills to motivate personnel and secure program commitment.
Human relations skills to assign staff, resolve conflicts, conduct training, and represent the division on committees.
Ability to communicate complex concepts to professionals and the public, both verbally and in writing.
Organizational and interpersonal skills to function productively in a team.
Conflict‑resolution skills to negotiate and resolve disputes equitably.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures, and State statutes related to natural resources management.
Certified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).
Certified Forest Officer.
Completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development Program.
Knowledge of water quality BMPs and Forest Management Guidelines for diverse sites.
Experience in timber sale administration, wetland classification/delineation, and soil science, forest soils or hydrology.
Broad experience with major field operations programs (State Land Management, Resource Protection, Forest Resource Information and Analysis, Cooperative Forest Management).
Completion of a Leadership Development Program.
Proficiency with ESRI products.
Additional Requirements
Unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clean record.
Ability to meet physical requirements and work in environmental conditions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Verification of identity and employment eligibility at hire; no visa sponsorship.
Background check including conflict of interest review, criminal history, education, records, and license verification.
How to Apply Click “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. For questions regarding the application process, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651‑259‑3637 or email careers@state.mn.us.
Contact for positions:
Little Falls: Adam Hodge – adam.hodge@state.mn.us, 320‑630‑9990
Mora: Bobby Gajewski – robert.gajewski@state.mn.us, 320‑532‑3137
Equal Opportunity Employer The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employer. We encourage persons of color, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans, and all qualified applicants to apply without regard to protected characteristics.
#J-18808-Ljbffr