Working Title: Habitat Enhancement Crew Supervisor
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Supervisor Senior
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
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Job ID: 95385
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Location: Rosemount
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Telework Eligible: No
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Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
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Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
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Date Posted: 7/11/2026
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Closing Date: 7/31/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
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Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife
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Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
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Days of Work: Monday - Thursday or Monday - Friday
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Travel Required: Yes - Occasionally
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Salary Range: $31.08 - $45.01 / hourly; $64,895 - $93,981 / annually
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Classified Status: Classified
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Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
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:
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Hire and develop crew members. Develop an annual work plan in consultation with area Wildlife & Fisheries staff.
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Direct and lead development, planning, coordination, and supervision of prescribed burning operations as a burn boss
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Direct and lead the crew in implementation of approved grassland, wetland, and forest enhancement and management projects according to annual work plan schedule.
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Direct and oversee documentation of crew successes and shortfalls.
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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.
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Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, fire ecology or closely related field of academic study.
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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.
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Ability to treat employees inclusively in the areas of accommodation, scheduling, expectations, individualized resource needs, training, and development.
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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.
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Prescribed fire participation in various qualification positions on a minimum of 20 prescribed burns or prescribed burns totaling 7,000 acres or more.
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Ability to safely lead and execute prescribed burns based on a burn plan, contingencies, and fire behavior modeling software (BEHAVE+).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Knowledge of budget policies, procedures, and regulations sufficient to manage and administer budgets and to cost effectively deliver resources.
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Falller 3 qualified or moderate chainsaw experience felling and bucking trees.
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Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from maps, aerial photography, and Geographic Information System (GIS) materials.
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Knowledge of operating GIS software programs such as or equivalent to ArcMap.
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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
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Ability to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and management plans; research and interpret scientific literature sufficient to solve problems; and educate others.
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Leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff, address complex and confidential issues, and work as a productive member of teams.
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Master's degree in wildlife management, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, or closely related field of academic study.
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Currently qualified as a NWCG Burn Boss 2 (RxB2) or MN Burn Boss 2 (MRXB2).
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Currently qualified as a NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher.
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Currently qualified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss (i.e., crew, engine, firing, dozer, etc.).
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Have a minimum of 10 burns or 5,000acres of prescribed fire experience performed as Burn Boss 2 or higher.
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Two (2) years or more of supervisory experience.
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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.
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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.
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Experience in leading or instructing prescribed fire or wildfire training classes.
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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.
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Current Faller 1 or 2 certification.
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:
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Conflict of Interest Review
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Criminal History Check
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Education Verification
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Employment Reference / Records Check
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License / Certification Verification
- Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
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Within your application, submit two (2) attachments. In the first attachment, include a copy of your resume which clearly demonstrates how you meet the qualifications. In the second attachment (use the letter of interest option to attach), include a single file that contains a copy of your qualification card ("red card"), Incident Qualification System (IQS) or Incident Qualification, and Certification System (IQCS) master report, or scans of all your fire training certificates and first two pages of task books (all contained in one file). Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered.
If you have questions about this position, contact Donovan Pietruszewski at [email protected] or 218-772-1267.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at [email protected]. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Claudia Marquez-Aguirre at [email protected].
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
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Connection with their coworkers and communities
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Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
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Diabetes care
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Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
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Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
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Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
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Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
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Training, classes, and professional development
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Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
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A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
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Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
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Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State 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 Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. Please indicate what assistance is needed.
