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Working Title : Natural Resources Technician Wildlife

Job Class: Parks and Trails Natural Resources Technician Wildlife

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 79435

• Location: New Ulm

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Permanent

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted: 09/11/2024

• Closing Date: 10/01/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit: Parks and Trails

• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

• Days of Work: Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, occasionally within the region

• Salary Range: $23.26 - $32.79 / hourly; $48,567 - $68,466 / annually

• Classified Status: Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207-AFSME

• Work Location: New Ulm Region

• FLSA Status: Non-exempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

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.

This position exists to provide technical and para-professional conservation support to professional District Resource Specialists (NR Park Specialist Senior – Resource Management) and/or PAT Regional Resource Supervisor (NR Supervisor-Ecological Services) as well as unit managers and other staff. This position assists in protecting, planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating the natural habitat & cultural resource management activities carried out on lands administered by the Division of Parks and Trails in the Southern Region, District 9, with occasional assignments in District 10.

The position serves as lead worker for Conservation Corps MN crews, laborers and B&Gs in the safe operation and maintenance of equipment, vehicles, tools, supplies, buildings, shop and public land facilities. The position also assists in prescribed fire, invasive species control, and native plant community restoration.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Protect Resources:Implement projects and conduct natural/cultural resource management program activities on Parks and Trails lands to maintain and improve native plant and animal communities and address invasive species problems.

• Lead Crews:Direct the work of Conservation Corps (CCMI) crews, Sentenced to Service (STS), student workers, interns, and other staff or volunteers in a safe, efficient, and effective manner so Resource Management Program objectives are achieved.

• Planning: Assist in developing Unit Level comprehensive and project specific plans and maps (in GIS) for accomplishing division resource management objectives.

• Equipment Operation/Maintenance: To operate, maintain, clean and repair, or arrange repair of, heavy equipment, vehicles, other equipment and tools so that they function properly, provide safe use, and are functional.

• Prescribed Burning: Assist PAT staff in planning and conducting prescribed burn activities on land managed by the PAT Resource Program, determine prescribed fire needs and break locations, and maintain and prepare prescribed burning tools, equipment and supplies.

• Invasive Species Control: Invasive species control with hand pulling, mechanical (mowing, brushsawing), and chemical methods.

• Administrative:Complete logistics tasks and other duties as assigned in order that the resource team functions efficiently and effectively, crew and equipment travel between projects efficiently and safely, and tasks and projects are completed in a safe manner.

This job will require strenuous manual labor including but not limited to digging, shoveling, hauling, moving, pushing, pulling, and ascending/descending, often in adverse weather and environmental conditions. This job requires moving to a significant degree on rough terrain. It requires the ability to move 2 miles in 30 minutes while transporting a 25-pound pack (passing the Work Capacity Test, moderate level). Applicant must have ability to efficiently communicate in a loud/challenging environment (When conducting burns, using equipment, etc.).

Minimum Qualifications

• Position requires a Class A license, passing a pre-employment drug screen and participation in the DNR ongoing random screening program. Qualified applicants who do not have a valid Class A will be allowed up to 6 months to acquire one, as a condition of employment.

• Associates Degree in Wildlife, ecology, natural resource management or equivalent field with an emphasis in wildlife coursework.Examples of course work could be GIS, Ecology, Forestry, etc.

• Applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree in a Natural Resources related field with wildlife coursework emphasis (i. e. at least 3 related Wildlife courses) may also qualify.

• Knowledge and skills in basic equipment maintenance and repair for tools and equipment such as power saws, vehicles, ATV's, UTVs, sprayers, seeders, snowmobiles, tractors, boats, trailers, fire equipment, skid steers and attachments, and power and hand tools.

• Ability to safely operate, transport, and use heavy equipment, trucks, and trailers. Must be able to demonstrate ability, pass all required training, and complete all position task books for trailers, boats, snowmobile, ATV, UTV, dozer/crawlers, skid steers with attachments, chain saw, and tracked vehicle.

• Prescribed burn or wildfire suppression experience and completion of RT-130 fire refresher as a condition of employment.

• Knowledge of identification and management of common native and non-native plants.

• Ability to interpret aerial maps, understand/interpret biological data, create field maps, and maintain field notes using tablets and mobile devices.

• Ability to understand and effectively use computer hardware and software for digital data management, Geographic Information System (GIS) applications (e.g., ArcPro, EDDMapS), and programs for word processing and spreadsheets.

• Ability to work and communicate accurately, honestly, and respectfully with diverse communities.

• Ability to obtain Category A & J MN Non-Commercial Pesticide applicators license within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Class A license.

• A Bachelor’s Degree or four years of related experience. Degrees should be in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife or a related field.

• Three or more years of prescribed fire experience, ideally in a variety of fuel types.

• Successful completion of prescribed burn training to the firing boss (MRXI2, and courses/open task book supporting MRXB2) or higher qualifications. (NWCG or MN track standards accepted.)

• Experience implementing native plant community restoration efforts, such as managing terrestrial invasive plant species, site preparation and planting.

• Currently holds a MN Pesticide Applicator license.

• Experience and training in the safe and efficient operation of power saws (DNR Basic Power Saw training, also S-212 or equivalent).

• Experience directing the work of others and leading field crews.

• Communication skills sufficient to communicate with a wide variety of natural resource professionals, the public, and volunteers in both office and field settings.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires current possession of a valid Class A license or the ability to obtain one in the first 6 months of employment. The selected applicant will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen and will be included in the ongoing DNR random drug and alcohol test program.

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

• 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.

• 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:

• Employment Reference Check

• SEMA4 Records Check

• Criminal History Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Education/license 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.