Program Forester

Job Summary

This position provides professional level program support work and administers and implements Division of Forestry programs. The successful candidate will have experience in state land management, cooperative forest management, resource protection, forest resource information and analysis, nursery and tree improvement and administrative and technical support.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and implement state forest management policies and procedures.
• Manage, develop and protect complex forest ecosystems; apply silvicultural principles and practices to promote forest health and productivity.
• Communicate to the public, stakeholders and other natural resource professionals on department policies, procedures, regulations and natural resources forestry science.
• Assist non-industrial forest woodland owners with the stewardship of their lands by providing forest management assistance and advice.
• Collect and record forest resources information following the Forest Inventory Module (FIM) policies and procedures.
• Provide work direction to other professional staff, technicians, laborers, temporary crews and contractors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters or comparable accrediting institution.
• Two years journey level professional forest management with experience providing leadership in supporting programs such as forest inventory, terrestrial invasive species, forest road administration etc.
• Knowledge of Forest management theory and techniques sufficient to plan and organize the management activities of a field station.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Forest Officer or certified within the next training / certification cycle.
• Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures and operating guidelines and State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management.
• Qualified as Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT1) / Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT 5).
• Successful completion of the Division of Forestry Entry Level Professional Forester Development Program.
• Knowledge of water quality BMPs and Forest Management Guidelines.

Working Conditions

The working conditions for this position include working outdoors in varying weather conditions and physical environments.