Working Title : NR Tech Wildlife

Job Class: NR Tech Wildlife

Agency: Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted: 05/09/2024

• Closing Date: 05/29/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit: Fish & Wildlife

• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

• Days of Work: Monday - Thursday; occasional weekends

• Travel Required : Yes - Occasional

• Salary Range: $22.26 - $31.38 / hourly; $46,479 - $65,521 / annually

• Classified Status: Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 207 - Technical/AFSCME

• Work Area : Montevideo, MN

• Employment Condition: Unlimited, Full-Time

• FLSA Status : Non-Exempt

• Telework Eligible: No

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

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position exists as an integral part of the DNR Wildlife’s Region 4 Roving Wildlife Habitat Crew in Montevideo, MN. The primary duties of this position are to provide technical and labor support in developing and implementing wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration activities on prairie and wetland systems on public lands open to public hunting with in the DNR Southern Region.

The nature of the work may require a high degree of flexibility in hours and days worked on a seasonal basis. Extensive day and occasional overnight may be required. During the prescribed burn season, crew members will be conducting burns on a weather dependent basis, which means possible weekends and extended/long hours.

Responsibilities Include:

• Conducting prescribed burning preparation, planning, writing, and operations under the direction of the Roving Crew Supervisor or Rx Burn Boss on state or federal hunting lands in the region.

• Providing technical and logistical support and labor needed to conduct wetland and grassland habitat restoration and enhancement operations on state or federal hunting lands in the region.

• Coordinating with the Roving Crew Supervisor in the administration and operational responsibilities so that wildlife habitat management activities performed by the Roving Crew are smoothly and efficiently implemented according to plans, policies, and legal mandates.

• Conducting regular and required maintenance on facilities, fleet, and specialized resource management power equipment as well as on hand tools so that they function properly, provide safe use, are functional for the anticipated life cycle of the equipment, and in top operating condition at all times.

• Keeping current in maintaining prescribed fire qualifications, pesticide, GIS, and equipment training as coordinated.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply. Please review the "How to Apply" section below to ensure that the application materials submitted accurately reflect any certifications and fire training/qualifications.

• One (1) year experience performing similar work which will include skills and applied knowledge of habitat management techniques; prescribed fire or wildfire suppression techniques and methods; construction techniques and materials; landscaping methods and materials; safe equipment operation; and directing the work of others.

• Position requires a Class A Driver's License (CDL), passing a pre-employment drug screen and participation in the DNR ongoing random screening program. Otherwise qualified applicants who do not have a valid Class A will be allowed up to six (6) months to acquire one, as a condition of employment.

• Position 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), as a condition of employment.

• Position requires strenuous manual labor including but not limited to digging, shoveling, hauling, moving, pushing, pulling, and ascending/descending, often in hot, smoky, and otherwise adverse weather and environmental conditions.

• Experience in applying wildland fire techniques and equipment including the incident command system, ignition and fire suppression techniques, fire behavior, pumps, and hand tools.

• Experience using GPS and GIS.

• Qualified as FFT2 (Fire Fighter Type 2) or MFIRB (MN Firing Boss).

• Faller 3 chainsaw operation certified or moderate chainsaw operation experience.

• Knowledge of botany, forestry, prairie, wetland and forest ecology, zoology, biology and soils, inventory and assessment, and ability to identify native and exotic species

• Knowledge and applied skills in the safe operation, transportation, maintenance and minor repair of equipment and tools that include but are not limited to common types of agricultural, construction and vehicular equipment (tractors with loaders, skid steers, tracked vehicles, on highway vehicles, ATV/UTVs, pumps, trailers, fire equipment, tillage, planting and harvesting equipment).

• Knowledge and applied skills in basic equipment operation, maintenance and repair of power tools (chainsaws, brush saws, ATV's, sprayers, seeding drills, construction power tools).

• Working knowledge of computers, email, word processing, and spreadsheet software applications.

• Writing skills sufficient to communicate technical information, keep records, and write reports.

• Leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills sufficient to direct, develop, and engage staff, address complex and confidential issues, and work as a productive member of teams.

• Ability to efficiently communicate in a loud/challenging environment (When conducting burns, using equipment, etc.)

• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.

• Ability to communicate (written and oral) and interact positively while directing labor crews, or while associating with adjacent landowners, sportsmen, farmers, and the general public.

• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current possession of a valid Class A Driver’s License (CDL).

• Two (2) years or more experience performing similar work which will include working knowledge of habitat management techniques; prescribed fire or wildfire suppression techniques and methods; construction techniques and materials; landscaping methods and materials; safe equipment operation; and directing the work of others.

• Two (2) years of experience in safely operating farm, construction, and other similar equipment such as but not limited to: agricultural tractors, skid steers, dozers, dump trucks, equipment trailers, boats, and UTV/ATVs.

• Current Faller 1 or 2 chainsaw operation certification.

• Qualified as a FFT1 (Fire Fighter Type 1)

• Qualified as any NWCG Single Resource Boss (ex: Firing Boss, Engine Boss, Crew Boss, Heavy Equipment, Felling, Helicopter).

• Qualified as NWCG ICT4 (Incident Commander Type 4) or higher.

• Qualified or a trainee as MRXB3 (MN Burn Boss 3), MRXB2 (MN Burn Boss 2), RXB3 (NWCG Burn Boss 3), RXB2 (NWCG Burn Boss 2), or higher.

• Currently certified Pesticide applicator and pesticide application experience.

• Working knowledge of soil types and their capabilities, wetland restoration techniques, weed control methods, and prairie reconstruction techniques.

• Working knowledge of computer programs such as ArcMap, Excel, Word, Adobe Pro, and photo editing software.

• Skills in maintaining or repairing agricultural or construction type of equipment, power and hand tools.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class A Driver's License with a clear driving record, in addition to passing a pre-employment drug screen and participation in the DNR ongoing random screening program.

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. It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. All job offers are contingent upon passing 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.