Working Title: Assistant Area Wildlife Manager - NR Spec Sr WL

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Senior - Wildlife

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 81991

• Location : Forest Lake

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Temporary

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/23/2024

• Closing Date : 12/13/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Fish and Wildlife

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Occasionally

• Salary Range: $28.82 - $42.31 / hourly; $60,176 - $88,343 / annually

• Classified Status : Unclassified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE

• Anticipated Start Date : 02/03/2025

• End Date : 02/03/2027

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.

The DNR is currently seeking a temporary unclassified Senior Assistant Area Wildlife Manager in Forest Lake, MN. The anticipated start date is February 3rd, 2025, and will end on February 3rd, 2027. This position exists to plan and implement area wildlife programs and activities within the North Metro Wildlife Work Area. This includes the five-county work area of Anoka, Chisago, Washington, Ramsey, and Hennepin Counties to protect and enhance wildlife populations, habitats, and facilities for their intrinsic value and for the benefit of all citizens of Minnesota. These lands include 13 state Wildlife Management Areas, one Major Unit Carlos Avery, totaling approx. 31,277 acres. This position will provide lead work direction to Area Wildlife staff, CCMI habitat crews, contractors, cooperators, interns, and volunteers. This position will also act as the area-wide lead on land acquisition, nuisance animal management, and may take on additional duties that are regional or statewide in scope.

Please note: Incumbent will be offered optional housing to live on-site in a state-owned residence.

Responsibilities include:

• Plan, direct, and implement habitat management projects on Wildlife Management Areas and other public and private lands using ecosystem-based management concepts. Plan, develop, maintain, repair, and improve facilities on Wildlife Management Areas and other managed lands.

• Collaborate closely with employees in other divisions; land managers; local interest groups; members of local governments, forest wildlife coordinators; and other natural resource specialists to promote coordination and management practices that create, maintain, and improve wildlife habitat on public and private lands.

• Lead implementation of Area wildlife population management programs and wildlife surveys in a manner that is consistent with the Section of Wildlife goals and objectives. Manage wildlife populations so that appropriate levels are achieved to maintain viable populations, provide recreational opportunities, and minimize nuisance problems.

• Effectively communicate wildlife management work and needs to gain public understanding and support for wildlife management programs. Promote and explain DNR policies, regulations, and programs; disseminate information to other agencies, news media, and the public. Inform people on wildlife and habitat needs, and answer wildlife-related questions.

• Perform fiscal and other administrative activities for the Wildlife Area so that priority habitat and facility management activities are completed according to desired time schedules. Lead the work of Area staff so that safe and efficient operation is maintained. Assist with financial and other planning and reporting. Demonstrate accountability to Department personnel and interested stakeholders by adhering to Department policies and guidelines.

This position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical labor, work in hot, smoky conditions, travel long distances transporting up to 50 pounds of fire gear, and periodically work long days while performing prescribed burn operations, often in adverse weather and environmental conditions. This job requires walking to a significant degree on rough terrain. It requires the ability to walk 2 miles in 30 minutes while transporting a 25-pound pack (passing the Work Capacity Test, moderate level within 6 months of employment).

Minimum Qualifications

Transcripts are required for this position. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be sent instructions for transcript review after the posting close date.

• Bachelor's degree in Wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis.

• Transcript requirement:

• A minimum of three (3) courses directly related to wildlife management/wildlife biology;

• One (1) course in each: chemistry or physics; statistics; communication; and ecology;

• At least four (4) additional wildlife or ecology, or related courses, such as animal or plant taxonomy, comparative anatomy or physiology, soils or geology, mammalogy, ornithology, parasitology, etc.

• Three (3) years of professional level (e.g. NR Specialist) wildlife and/or habitat management experience sufficient to implement habitat management projects and plans, contracts, facility development, and maintenance duties in a Wildlife Area.

• Lead worker skills sufficient to plan and direct the work of others, mentor staff, develop and conduct training, and ensure safe operations.

• Experience managing forest, brushland, wetland, and wild rice habitats for wildlife.

• Experience planning and implementing prescribed fire as a habitat management tool.

• Experience writing contracts for wildlife habitat or facility projects and overseeing contractors and/or work crews.

• Experience in coordination and collaboration with outside partners and agencies.

• Ability to effectively communicate orally to individuals, small and medium sized groups, and news media.

• Writing skills sufficient to communicate work programs, project proposals, accomplishment reports, survey results, hunting season data, and correspondence.

• Technical knowledge of wildlife species identification, common terrestrial and aquatic plant identification, habitat relationships, food habits, animal behavior, parasites and disease, life histories, and reproductive potential.

• Project management skills sufficient to oversee the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of appropriate implementation strategies using available staff, tools, and equipment to ensure the protection of wildlife and habitats.

• Ability to perform required field work alone under adverse weather and outdoor conditions.

• Ability to safely operate and transport equipment, including hand and power tools. Must be able to demonstrate ability, pass all required training, and complete all position task books for (but not limited to) trailers, boats, snowmobile, ATV, UTV, tractors with attachments, chain saw, brush saw, and tracked vehicle.

• Knowledge of wildlife census/survey techniques and their limitations.

• Skills using computers, GPS units, and associated computer programs including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, and GIS mapping software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in wildlife biology or related field.

• Knowledge of hunting and trapping traditions, methods, and regulations.

• Experience with forest management, forest ecology, and silviculture practices.

• Certified in the application of pesticides for invasive species management.

• Knowledge of various water control structures, lake/wetland ecology, and wetland restoration practices.

• Experience in writing contracts for wildlife habitat or facility projects.

• Experience advising private landowners on wildlife and habitat management techniques.

• Experience using citizen participation, conflict resolution, and negotiation techniques.

• Experience with wildlife depredation and abatement techniques.

• Experience using ArcGIS for mapping and evaluating wildlife habitats.

• A working knowledge of other disciplines such as fisheries, forestry, forest ecology, shallow lakes management, soil conservation, and hydrology to guide the development of partnerships and projects.

• Qualified as a:

• MFIRB (Minnesota Firing Boss – Minnesota DNR standards) or State/NWCG equivalent.

• MRXB3 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 3) or State/NWCG equivalent.

• MRXB2 (Minnesota Burn Boss Type 2) or State/NWCG equivalent.

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.