Working Title: Forestry Intern

Job Class: Intern

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 82291

• Location : Various

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Intern

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 01/02/2025

• Closing Date : 02/03/2025

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Forestry

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, Occasionally

• Salary Range: $19.00 / hourly

• Classified Status : Non-Status

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 223 - Non-Employee / Unrepresented

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

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 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

This posting will be used to fill multiple internships in the following locations: Aitkin, Akeley, Backus, Bemidji, Brainerd, Deer River, Grand Rapids, Lewiston, Little Falls, Littlefork, Park Rapids, Sandstone, Side Lake, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad and Willow River, MN. During the application process, applicants will be able to choose their preferred location(s)/ program(s).

All of these positions will require the ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions and over difficult terrain the majority of the workday. These positions are anticipated to begin in April and run through August. Housing is not provided with any of these internships, but local staff are happy to help locate short-term housing nearby. These internships may require overnight travel. When traveling, lodging and transportation are provided, and cost of meals will be reimbursed.

Internship programs and locations:

Forestry Area Internship (15 positions):

Positions will focus on collecting data on state forest land (native plant community surveys, forest inventory, regeneration surveys, invasive species inventory, etc.). Interns will also assist local forestry staff appraising and scaling timber, writing silvicultural prescriptions, road maintenance, and other duties generally accomplished by DNR Forestry. There may also be opportunities for fire suppression if interested. Work schedule will be Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

• Locations: Aitkin, Backus, Bemidji, Brainerd, Deer River, Lewiston, Little Falls, Littlefork, Park Rapids, Sandstone, Side Lake, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad.

State Forest Nursery Internship (2 positions):

Nursery work is a fast-paced environment with a wide variety of tasks. Most work occurs outdoors in various weather conditions both on foot and operating equipment. Interns will be exposed to all aspects of the forest nursery operation, including fertilizing, pest control, irrigation, seed procurement, weeding, planting, data collection, inventory, plant disease etc. Opportunities for interns to assist in nearby forestry area work may also exist . Work schedule will be Monday – Friday and hours of work may change based on the season.

• Locations: Badoura State Tree Nursery, Akeley, MN & General Andrews Tree Nursery, Willow River, MN.

Forest Inventory Verification Forestry Intern (2 positions):

These positions will include collecting forest inventory plot data, measuring tree diameters, species, height, and other data in forested stands. Requires navigation to plot locations on foot, use of maps, compass, and GPS. Duties may also include, terrestrial invasive species data collection, BMP timber sale site monitoring, regeneration surveys, or other tasks. This position will work 10-hour days, four (4) days per week. Hotels, transportation, and meal reimbursement will be provided when working in travel status away from duty station.

• Location: Grand Rapids, MN.

Guideline Monitoring Program (GMP) Forestry Intern (1 position):

This position will monitor and evaluate Best Management Practice (BMP) site level - implementation on selected recent timber harvest sites. Data collection will include assessment of harvest quality, site mitigation and impacts from logging equipment. Analysis of the construction and location of logging roads, landings, berms, filter strips, water bars, wetland crossings, presence of ruts, or other logging and forestry impacts. Duties may also include, terrestrial invasive species data collection, forest inventory plot data collection, regeneration surveys, or other tasks. This position will work 10-hour days, four (4) days per week. Hotels, transportation, and meal reimbursement will be provided when working in travel status away from duty station.

• Location: Grand Rapids, MN.

Terrestrial Invasive Species (TIS) Inventory Intern (2 positions):

These positions will include navigating through forested stands visually identifying, quantifying, and collecting GPS coordinates at locations of terrestrial invasive species. Requires navigation along transects on foot, use of maps, compass, and GPS. Duties may also include, forest inventory plot data collection, BMP timber sale site monitoring, regeneration surveys, or other tasks. This position will work 10-hour days, four (4) days per week. Hotels, transportation, and meal reimbursement will be provided when working in travel status away from duty station.

• Location: Grand Rapids, MN.

Wildland Fire Internship (1 position):

Positions will focus on performing GIS mapping and digitizing of prescribed burn perimeters and fuel treatment projects. Additional work may include Firewise Home Risk assessments, wildfire prevention events, and fire planning projects as directed by supervisor. Majority of duties will be completed on a computer in an office environment. Occasional fieldwork and travel may occur, including exposure to variable weather conditions of Minnesota summers. Work schedule will be Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm and may include opportunities for fire assignments if interested.

• Location: MN Interagency Fire Center (MIFC) Grand Rapids, MN.

Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND

• Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

• Majoring in one of the following areas: Forestry, Natural Resources with an emphasis in Forestry, or similar program focusing on Forest Management. Please contact us if you are unsure if your major qualifies.

• Ability to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to identify trees and forest plants of Minnesota.

• Navigation skills sufficient to travel through the field.

• Ability to use standard forestry data collection tools (e.g., compass, prism, clinometer).

• Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current student at a four - year university that is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

• Safety, CPR, and/or first aid training.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

• Education Verification

• Employment Reference / Records Check

• License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.