"Alerted.org

Working Title: Scientific and Natural Areas Specialist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Ecological Services

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 91043

+ **Location** : Thief River Falls

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes, up to 40%

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 01/15/2026

+ **Closing Date** : 02/04/2026

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit** : Ecological and Water Resources

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Occasional throughout the region, a few times a year statewide

+ **Salary Range:** $24.79 - $35.96 / hourly; $51,761 - $75,084 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Employees/MAPE

+ **FLSA Status** : Exempt - Professional

+ 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.

The Division of Ecological and Water Resources is seeking to fill one (1) Full-Time Unlimited Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) Specialist located in Thief River Falls, MN. The days of work are Monday - Friday.

This position exists to provide technical and professional support in carrying out natural resource management and development activities on private and public lands administered by the Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) Unit primarily in the DNR Northwest Region.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

+ Management and Site Development Project Implementation - Recommend, implement, monitor, and evaluate natural resource management and development tasks with SNA leads, staff, crew and/or contractors on lands administered by the SNA Unit; and other land management tasks as assigned to maintain and improve native plant and animal communities and prevent or correct damage and nuisance problems.

+ Management and Site Development Project Planning - Assist the lead workers, Regional SNA Supervisor, and other SNA staff to develop and coordinate project plans for natural resource management and development tasks on Scientific and Natural Areas, Prairie Banks, and other lands administered by the SNA Program.

+ Implementation of Prescribed Fire - Recommend, implement, monitor, and evaluate prescribed fire in the NW Region for SNA's, Native Prairie Bank easements and other lands under SNA unit administration so that the natural communities and native species present are enhanced and protected.

+ Collaborate in the development and maintenance of facilities; use, maintenance, and repair of equipment; and the administration of management and unit records so that resource management is smoothly, safely, and efficiently implemented according to plans, policies, fiscal responsibilities, and legal mandates.

+ Participate as assigned in employee information, development, and training programs and other educational opportunities that will ensure employee safety, enhance employee work performance, and assure proper use of equipment.

+ Direct the day-to-day work of technicians. Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM), volunteers, contractors, and temporary crews in establishing and maintaining natural resources and facilities on lands administered by the SNA Unit.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

This job requires the ability to pass a moderate fitness test based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Work Capacity within 6 months of your start date and then on an annual basis. The test consists of walking 2 miles with a 25-pound pack within 30 minutes.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, natural resource management, or closely related field.

+ Knowledge of natural areas management, community ecology, land management planning, prescribed fire techniques, and land restoration or reconstruction sufficient to recommend, create and implement management plans.

+ Knowledge of forest, woodland, peatland, savanna, prairie, and grassland ecology sufficient to recommend, create and implement management plans.

+ Qualified as an NWCG Fire Fighter Type 2.

+ Experience evaluating sites, planning, preparing, and implementing prescribed fire.

+ Experience in the use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) such as ArcMap/ArcPro, sufficient to perform spatial analysis, create map products, and maintain data on work accomplishments.

+ Strong communication skills and the ability to obtain and synthesize information from a wide variety of sources.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Advanced degree in biology, botany, ecology, natural resource management, or closely related field.

+ Qualified as NWCG Firing Boss or Minnesota Firing Boss

+ Licensed Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator.

+ Experience with tools and equipment used in native habitat management (e.g., chainsaws, brush blades, tractors, ATVs, truck and trailers, GPS, compass, canoes, boats, seeders, chemical sprayers, mowers, etc.).

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.