Forester

Crow Wing, County of•Brainerd, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Crow Wing County is seeking an individual with a strong forest management background and a passion to protect and enhance the natural resources of the County. This opportunity is a technical professional position that will focus on all aspects of forest management throughout 105,000 acres of public land with about 72,500 acres of forestland. Program accountabilities include management of county forestlands to insure the continued availability of timber resources, wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities on county administered lands. The position is also responsible for developing and implementing forest inventory programs and practices and recreation management initiatives. The incumbent may also be assigned to additional land use programs and regulations including environmental protection programs, public and private land use planning and regulations, land survey functions and related programs. The position works collaboratively with other various county staff, external committees, organizations, and community members to facilitate efficient implementation of land use, natural resource, and public land management policies, and to educate citizens and stakeholders on procedures and policies to achieve the vision and goals of the County's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Forest Resources Plan, Water Plan, and Comprehensive Recreation Trails Plan.

Requirements

Associates Degree in an environmentally related discipline such as natural resource management, forestry, or land use planning and seven months experience or any combination of education and experience that is substantially equivalent.
Valid state issued driver's license

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management or environmentally related field of study.
Advanced knowledge of GIS database and applications development, particularly with respect to forest management and land use regulations applications in field-based settings.
One year or more experience related to forest management and timber sale administration, or one year or more of graduate studies in a related field.
Knowledge of quality hardwood management strategies.
Knowledge of cruising methods, scaling methods, compass work, and a basic understanding of surveying methodology.
Thorough knowledge of Minnesota Silviculture.
Experience working within a customer-focused, field-based land-use permitting and enforcement environment utilizing site visits for permit approvals and complaint resolution.
Knowledge of and experience implementing Wetland Conservation Act regulations, storm water management, and soil and water conservation practices.
General knowledge of state and local statutes, rules, and ordinances regarding individual sewage treatment systems, land use planning, solid waste, wetlands, and other environmentally-related fields.
The ability to efficiently utilize forest management related software for planning and reporting procedures.
Effective communication skills, including personal, interpersonal, project management, and decision making skills.
Ability to perform technical inspections, provide oversight, and make recommendations for various permit applications.
Certified Erosion / Sediment Control Installer through the Erosion and Sediment Control program from the University of Minnesota.
Certified Wetland Delineator through the Wetland Delineator Certification Program from the University of Minnesota.
Maintain effective relationships with citizens, colleagues, county officials, state agency representatives, ISTS professionals, contractors, and other environmentally-related groups and constituencies.
Knowledge of department policies, practices, and procedures.
The ability to implement department's long term goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, develop, and manage park and trail proposals, plans, and projects.
Manage the maintenance of county recreational sites (public water access sites, parks, and recreational trails).
Identify, evaluate, develop, and manage land asset management proposals, plans, and projects for land sales, direct sales, easements, land exchanges, acquisitions, partitions, and donations.
Prepare timber appraisals for land exchanges, land sales, and easements.
Perform all facets of project management including project planning, design, contract development, contract administration, work assignment, budget management, reporting, and related duties for a variety of project assignments including, but not limited to, tree planting, site preparation, conifer release, forest road construction and maintenance, bud capping, forest inventory, wildlife projects, recreation projects, timber stand improvement projects, quality hardwood development projects, and demolition projects in a professional and effective manner.
Make technical findings and recommendations on questions of wetland functions and the resulting public values, location, size, and type for replacement plans, exemptions, no-loss, wetland boundary or type determinations, and sequencing requests.
Review replacement plans, exemptions, no-loss, wetland banking, wetland boundary / type proposals, and recommend either approval, approval with conditions, or denial.
Provide technical guidance regarding the Wetland Conservation Act to the general public.
Assess water resources and identify needs and strategies for addressing those needs through the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan.
Develop and implement the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan annually.
Apply and secure grant funding for water protection projects.
Provide technical assistance to citizens, developers, and contractors in erosion/sediment control techniques and storm water best management practices.
Respond to customer inquiries providing information and assistance relating to department programs and services in a professional and timely manner to ensure a high service environment.
Collaborate and coordinate activities as necessary with other county departments and related outside agencies such as the Soil and Water Conservation District, Department of Natural Resources, municipalities and townships within the county, and other counties and state and federal agencies as necessary.
Represent the County perspective, vision, and strategy as a subject matter expert on a variety of natural resource interests involving citizen groups, special interests, associations, and other agencies.
Communicate county policies and activities to citizens, property owners, and stakeholders such as lake associations, environmental, business, and community groups, as well as to local officials and County Commissioners.
Conduct natural resource management education opportunities for civic groups and schools.
Recommend policy initiatives to improve customer service, promote wise land use practices, and enhance protection of natural resources, consistent with the County's comprehensive plan, land use ordinance, forest resources plan, water plan, and applicable state rules, plans, and statutes.
Implement standard operating policies and procedures so that work is compliant with the various comprehensive plan documents.
Conduct inspections of properties within the county for all regulated land use activities including site visits in support of the County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment.
In conjunction with site visits and consultation with applicants as appropriate, approve or deny land use applications submitted to the county pursuant to the county's prescribed regulatory authority.
Respond to land use complaints through direct communication with complainant, inspection of the property, and communication with the involved property owner.
Prepare written reports regarding alleged violation and proposed resolution.
Issue citations and cease and desists orders as warranted.
Prepare written reports for submission to the County Attorney's Office requesting prosecution of land use violations.
Testify in court and provide additional evidence as necessary.
Assist registered professional surveyors with CAD productions, deed research, boundary analysis, easement preparations, legal descriptions, and computing survey points.
Process raw field data through Trimble Business Center.
Coordinate and work with field crews and other office staff.
Utilize a wide variety technology associated with land management, including but not limited to GIS, GPS, aerial photography, and other applications as needed to manage forest resources and land related assets.
Proficient technological skills with personal computer, handheld data collectors, and software applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, ArcView, ArcGIS, and others are essential.
Apply new technologies utilizing GIS and field applications that enhance accuracy and efficiency.
Perform all other related assignments as required, including special projects as assigned by supervisor, in a professional and effective manner.
Assist with the training, supervision, and assignment of work to seasonal, part time, and temporary employees.
Attend workshops and training sessions as approved by supervisor.
Assist with enforcement activities as needed and secure, after hire, a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License and maintain license during the course of employment.
Develop, submit, and administer grants and complete other tasks as directed.