Working Title :Habitat Enhancement Crew Supervisor
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Supervisor Senior
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
Job ID: 95385
Location: Rosemount
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted: 7/11/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife
Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
Days of Work: Monday - Thursday or Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Occasionally
Salary Range: $31.08 - $45.01 / hourly; $64,895 - $93,981 / annually
Classified Status: Classified
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 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.
This position is responsible to develop, lead, supervise, and manage a up to a seven (7) person Habitat Enhancement Crew dedicated to effective enhancement and management of grassland, wetland, and forest habitats. Prescribed burning is the primary management tool utilized by this crew. Other work priorities involve providing grassland, wetland, and forest enhancement and management assistance to DNR Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, Ecological and Water Resources, or other public land managers that include but are not limited to: planting grasses and forbs, invasive species management, woody vegetation removal from prairie habitats, wetland enhancement/management, aerial cattail spraying, timber stand improvement; brushland management, designing and planning habitat work, writing and/or reviewing prescribed burn plans, evaluating habitat management strategies, and documenting programmatic success and shortfalls.
Responsibilities include:
Hire and develop crew members. Develop an annual work plan in consultation with area Wildlife & Fisheries staff.
Direct and lead development, planning, coordination, and supervision of prescribed burning operations as a burn boss
Direct and lead the crew in implementation of approved grassland, wetland, and forest enhancement and management projects according to annual work plan schedule.
Direct and oversee documentation of crew successes and shortfalls.
Monitoring the budget to view trends and concerns for funding needs and budget sufficiency.
This position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical labor, work in hot, smoky conditions, walking long distances transporting up to 50 pounds of fire gear, and periodically working 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 as a condition of employment).
Applicants will be required to provide proof of currency for wildland fire qualifications. Please see and follow item 2 in the "How To Apply" section below.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, fire ecology or closely related field of academic study.
Two (2) years of experience providing lead work direction or field level supervision to employees; planning, designing, and implementing natural resource management operations and techniques; providing technical expertise; and making project implementation decisions.
Ability to treat employees inclusively in the areas of accommodation, scheduling, expectations, individualized resource needs, training, and development.
Currently qualified in at least one of the following MN or NWCG positions: Burn Boss 3 trainee, Burn Boss 3 or a Burn Boss 2 trainee; or have completed formal wildland fire training courses and have acquired field experience that meet the requirements of these positions.
Prescribed fire participation in various qualification positions on a minimum of 20 prescribed burns or prescribed burns totaling 7,000 acres or more.
Ability to safely lead and execute prescribed burns based on a burn plan, contingencies, and fire behavior modeling software (BEHAVE+).
Knowledge and applied skills with wildlife management principles sufficient to implement habitat management or enhancement projects; administer policies, procedures, and operating guidelines and State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management; execute programs; and negotiate complex interdisciplinary wildlife management issues.
Working knowledge of botany, plant taxonomy, and ecology of grassland, forest, and wetland communities including identification of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees species and their ranges, growing requirements, and value to wildlife.
Knowledge and applied skills in plant community management, habitat restoration, and vegetation control techniques sufficient to evaluate plant communities and identify rare or endangered plants, communities, and habitats.
Knowledge and applied skills in operating farm or construction @type of equipment and implements, such as but not limited, agricultural tractors, skid steers, rotary or mulching mowers, planting drills, broadcast planters, herbicide application equipment, chainsaws, brush saws, and other power or non-power hand tools.
Knowledge of budget policies, procedures, and regulations sufficient to manage and administer budgets and to cost effectively deliver resources.
Falller 3 qualified or moderate chainsaw experience felling and bucking trees.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from maps, aerial photography, and Geographic Information System (GIS) materials.
Knowledge of operating GIS software programs such as or equivalent to ArcMap.
Oral and written communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate complex concepts and principals to other resource professionals and the public; lead prescribed burns and other field activities that demand a high level of clear in-person or two-way radio oral communication; make effective presentations to a wide variety of audiences by identifying their level of understanding and evoking a positive response
Ability to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and management plans; research and interpret scientific literature sufficient to solve problems; and educate others.
Leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff, address complex and confidential issues, and work as a productive member of teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in wildlife management, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, or closely related field of academic study.
Currently qualified as a NWCG Burn Boss 2 (RxB2) or MN Burn Boss 2 (MRXB2).
Currently qualified as a NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher.
Currently qualified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss (i.e., crew, engine, firing, dozer, etc.).
Have a minimum of 10 burns or 5,000acres of prescribed fire experience performed as Burn Boss 2 or higher.
Two (2) years or more of supervisory experience.
Completion of a leadership development program or supervisory skill development program with training in the areas of basic supervision, advanced supervision, communication, performance management, interpersonal skills, and leadership.
Three (3) years or more of experience in providing lead work direction or field level supervision to employees; planning, designing, and implementing natural resource management operations and techniques; providing technical expertise; and making project implementation decisions.
Experience in leading or instructing prescribed fire or wildfire training classes.
Two (2) years of experience in operating farm or construction @type of equipment and implements, such as but not limited, agricultural tractors, skid steers, rotary or mulching mowers, planting drills, broadcast planters, herbicide application equipment, chainsaws, brush saws, and other power or non-power hand tools.
Current Faller 1 or 2 certification.
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 careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
