State of Minnesota Jobs

Working Title: Ecological Land Classification System (ECS) Program Coordinator

Job Class: Natural Resources Forestry Program Coordinator

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 04/12/2024

• Closing Date : 05/10/2024

• 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: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• 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 to implement the Division of Forestry Ecological Land Classification System (ECS) program statewide to sustain forest productivity, health, biodiversity, habitat, and ecological function to meet Department sustainable resource management goals. The incumbent will direct planning, administrative, and technical support to field personnel, supervisors, and Division managers so that ECS products and interpretive materials are integrated within Division programs and plans. The incumbent will also coordinate native plant community site classification, inventory, and mapping on Forestry lands; administer the program budget to fund program activities; and deliver training and field assistance, in collaboration with the Division Forest Ecologist and other Forestry programs, to monitor the short-and long-term response of forest vegetation to silvicultural treatments.

Responsibilities include:

• Deliver a statewide ECS Program so that personnel understand ECS and incorporate ecological principles in forest management consistent with Division and Department goals.

• Provide statewide program leadership so that ECS Region Specialists and Area lead personnel accomplish native plant community classifications, inventory, and mapping to meet Division and Department goals.

• Coordinate ECS inventory and native plant community mapping with other Division programs. Implement data stewardship best practices, work efficiently, and resolve conflicts.

• Develop applications of ECS so that ecologically based forest management information is available to field personnel for stand treatment assessment, prescription development, and case study planning.

• Design and deliver curricula to teach Division personnel how to use and apply ECS in forest management. Conduct training collaboration with the Silviculture and Terrestrial Invasive Species Programs so that all field personnel have the tools, resources, and support to sustainably manage forest vegetation consistent with Department goals.

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 a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management, Forest Ecology or Forest Soil Science (or a closely related field of academic study) from a university program.

· Two (2) years advanced level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist SENIOR class; lead staff, assign work, monitor accomplishments, administer budgets, administer and implement programs, consult, interact with other resource disciplines and train and educate; OR three (3) years professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Specialist, INTERMEDIATE class. Knowledge of vegetation classification systems sufficient to classify native plant communities.

· Ability to interpret land imagery, understand map interpretation and land features sufficient to review and certify native plant community mapping work.

· Experience with ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro and database management software sufficient to perform queries, model data spatially, provide analysis of spatial/tabular data, and create accomplishment reports.

· Ability to administer a program sufficient to properly manage staff, budget, and equipment resources; and to direct activities.

· Training/teaching skills sufficient to convey information in virtual and classroom settings and provide field demonstrations, seminars, and workshops to DNR staff, partnering resource managers, and the public.

· Human relation, coaching, collaborative, persuasion, and team building skills sufficient to effectively work with diverse interests; gain cooperation for new approaches/ideas; and explain/resolve complex program problems with internal/external partners to accomplish common forest management objectives.

· Communication skills sufficient to communicate complex concepts and principals to forest resource professions; speak or write to large or small groups, legislative committees, officials of other agencies, private groups, or the public; write convincing and well-documented reports on resource issues; and to conduct training sessions with division personnel or outside groups.

· Demonstrated leadership ability to motivate and guide self and other staff to work effectively with stakeholders through the application of a wide range of organizational, procedural, technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills, and ability to operate independently as well as in a team environment to prioritize work and achieve agreed upon milestones and deliverables.

· Computer skills sufficient to create/prepare reports, manage databases and track projects.

· Experience in meeting facilitation, group processes, conflict resolution, effective listening; negotiation sufficient to work with diverse groups and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

· Master’s degree in Forest Ecology or Forest Soil Science (or a closely related master’s degree in a natural sciences field of study). Bachelor’s degree or emphasis in forest soils.

· Experience collaborating with forest managers at a multi-state or national scale.

· Experience interpreting and applying soil, surficial geology and hydrology information for mapping native plant communities, forest management planning, and assessing forest site function.

· Knowledge and applied use of the MN DNR Native Plant Community Classification System (or a closely related vegetation classification system at the state or national level).

· Two years advanced level professional experience equivalent to the NR Forestry Regional Specialist.

· Knowledge of Department and Division programs, policies, and procedures sufficient to make program decisions that are compatible and integrated with other policies and programs in the Division and Department.

· Project management skills.

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.

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.