MN DNR Tech Positions

Hello!

I hope you are all doing well. The shallow lakes program just posted our tech positions for this upcoming field season. We will be hiring two techs in Brainerd, MN and two techs in Windom, MN (at my office 😊). Please share this with anyone who might be interested in applying. The application deadline is January 11th.

Job Class: Natural Resources Technician

Working Title: Shallow Lakes Program Technician

· Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

· Date Posted: 12/22/2021

· Closing Date: 01/11/2022

· Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources

· Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife / Shallow Lakes Program

· Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift; 7:00 am – 5:30 pm

· Days of Work: Monday – Thursday

· Travel Required: Yes

· Salary Range: $18.61 – $25.87/hourly; $38,857 – $54,016/annually

· Classified Status: Classified

· Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 – AFSCME/Technical

· AFSCME Work Area: Brainerd Area and Windom Area

· Work Location: Brainerd, MN and Windom, MN

· Employment Condition: Temporary, Full-Time

· FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

· Anticipated Start Date: 04/20/2022

· Anticipated End Date: 09/30/2022

· Connect 700 Program Eligible: No

Job Summary

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.

The DNR is currently seeking multiple temporary Natural Resources Technicians located in Brainerd and Windom. The anticipated dates for these temporary positions are April 20, 2022 through September 30, 2022.

These positions will conduct shallow lake habitat assessments throughout the state of Minnesota. Job duties include preparing survey maps; sampling aquatic vegetation and collecting lake data; identifying aquatic plants, waterfowl, and wetland wildlife; operating motorboats and canoes; backing trailers; writing lake survey reports; and maintaining equipment. Additional responsibilities include data entry and miscellaneous office tasks.

Working in wet/rainy/cold/windy/hot/buggy conditions is necessary. Long hours working out of boats and canoes is required. These lakes typically do not have developed accesses and getting to the lakes will require portaging canoes or dragging boats through cattails and across bogs. The technicians are required to drag rakes full of vegetation, lift gas tanks, and carry small outboard motors several hundred yards or farther. Field work is state-wide, so driving is required.

Overnight travel will be required up to a week at a time. The DNR will cover transportation and lodging expenses while technicians are in travel status. Food expenses during work-required travel will be reimbursed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

· Knowledge of ecology and wildlife biology.

· Ability to use standard field techniques safely and effectively

· Writing and speaking skills sufficient to communicate technical information and record field data.

· Experience maintaining accurate data records and field notes.

· Ability to lift outboard motors (55 lbs.) and frequently lift and/or carry canoes, small boats, and nets full of fish.

· Ability to start work in April and work through mid-September

· Ability to correctly identify aquatic vegetation and fishes.

· Ability to communicate orally with individuals and small groups.

· Ability to safely operate equipment, including trucks (4WD) and boats.

· Ability to use GPS units for navigation and waypoint collection, compass, and data tablets.

· Ability to construct, repair, and maintain field equipment.

· Ability to work long hours with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

· Associates or bachelor’s degree in wildlife, ecology, natural resource management, or related field.

· Experience in safely operating small boats and trailering boats.

· Experience in aquatic plant identification.

· Experience in fish identification.

· Experience interacting with public land managers and the general public.

· Experience with word processing, data entry (Microsoft Excel, Survey123), and GIS programs.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting articles such as 55-pound boat motors and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License with a clear driving record.

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:

1. Employment Reference Check

2. SEMA4 Records Check

3. Criminal History Check

4. Education/license verification

Application Details

Why Work For Us

Our goal as an employer is to actively recruit, welcome, and support a workforce, which is diverse and inclusive of people who are underrepresented in the development of State of Minnesota policies, programs, and practices, so that we can support the success and growth of all people.

We are proud to operate within a Culture of Respect that provides a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees. This means that our employees are respectful to one another and to our customers. We believe that promoting a Culture of Respect allows our employees to do their best work in support of the agency’s mission.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Nicole Hansel-Welch at nicole.hansel-welch or 218-203-4333.

Thanks!

Maggie Gross

Wildlife Lake Specialist | Shallow Lakes Program

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

175 County Road 26

Windom, MN 56101

Phone: (507) 832-6016

Email: margaret.gross

mndnr.gov

Pronouns: she/her/hers