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Habitat Enhancement Crew Member

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Working Title: Habitat Enhancement Crew Member

Job Class: Laborer-Trades & Equipment
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

  • Job ID: 80829
  • Location: Montevideo
  • Telework Eligible: No
  • Full/Part Time: Full-Time
  • Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
  • Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
  • Date Posted: 12/19/2024
  • Closing Date: 01/08/2025
  • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
  • Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife / Roving Crew
  • Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
  • Days of Work: Monday - Thursday, occasional weekends
  • Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
  • Salary Range: $25.57 - $29.49 / hourly; $53,390 - $61,575 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit/Union: 202 - Craft, Maintenance, Labor/AFSCME
  • Work Area: Montevideo
  • FLSA Status: Nonexempt
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

Job Summary

 

 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently seeking multiple permanent, full-time Laborer Trades & Equipment positions located in Montevideo, MN. This position exists as an integral part of the DNR Wildlife’s Roving Wildlife Habitat Crew to provide the specialized equipment operation and labor skills necessary to assist with construction, restoration, and enhancement projects on public lands.  This position specializes in natural resource habitat management on prairie, wetland, and forest habitat.  Activities include but are not limited to prescribed burning; fire break construction; prairie restoration, enhancement, and management; wetland development and construction, enhancement, and management; woody vegetation removal utilizing chainsaws, brush saws, or heavy equipment; forest stand management; conservation grazing infrastructure construction; and the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to accomplish these activities.

This is a great opportunity to carry out habitat enhancement and development projects on wildlife management area, aquatic management areas, scientific natural areas, state forest, waterfowl production areas, national wildlife refuges, and other natural resource lands open to public use.
Responsibilities include:

  1.  Operation and Maintenance of Equipment: Operate and maintain a variety of power equipment, power tools, and hand tools such as chainsaws, weed whips, pole saws, ATV's, UTVs, airboats, snowmobiles, and boats; heavy equipment such as tandem truck, skid steer, dozer, tractors, amphibious tracked equipment, terrestrial tracked equipment, and other specialized equipment used for habitat enhancement and development projects. Performs necessary inspections and most maintenance on all pieces of equipment. Performs minor repairs to equipment when necessary.
  2. Technical Support: Apply technical knowledge of landscape development and habitat management techniques. Utilize maps, GPS, native prairie and tree planting plans, prescribed burn plans, wetland enhancement plans, general habitat management plans, and other resources in order to evaluate, improve, or maintain native habitats and prepare for upcoming projects. Ensure maintenance and development ideas are well developed and carried out appropriately.
  3. Other Responsibilities and Duties: Maintain accurate operational records, provide professional service, and complete other duties as assigned by the lead worker or supervisor.

The nature of the work may require a high degree of flexibility in hours and days worked on a seasonal basis. Extensive day and occasional overnight may be required. During the prescribed burn season, crew members will be conducting burns on a weather dependent basis, which means possible weekends and extended/long hours.

Requires transporting items of up to 100-pounds maximum with frequent transporting of up to 50-pounds (e.g., bags of seed), and regularly moving objects such as heavy tools, backpacks, field equipment, and file boxes. This job also requires moving to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve maintaining a stationary position most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls. This job will require strenuous manual labor including but not limited to digging, shoveling, hauling, moving, pushing, pulling, and ascending/descending, often in adverse weather and environmental conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, sun, and wind. This job 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.
 

Qualifications

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Position requires a Class A Driver's License (CDL), passing a pre-employment drug screen and participation in the DNR ongoing random screening program. Otherwise qualified applicants who do not have a valid Class A will be allowed up to six (6) months to acquire one, as a condition of employment.
  • Knowledge in methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in native habitat development, trades work, farming practices, and general construction.
  • Ability and skills to safely operate medium and heavy motorized equipment (e.g., medium pickup - F550 or equivalent) with trailer, dump trucks, farm tractors with loader, tracked skid steers, trucks and trailers, watercraft, dozers, amphibious and terrestrial tracked crawlers, and front-end loaders.
  • Ability and skills to safely operate and maintain power and hand tools, including chain saws, brush saws, air compressors, carpentry tools, and other equipment/tools as assigned.
  • Ability to service, perform minor repairs, and make adjustments to tools and equipment.
  • Ability to obtain a MN Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license within six (6) months of hire.
  • Knowledge of prairie, wetland, and forest habitat management and development techniques. 
  • Knowledge and skills in of prescribed fire techniques and operations.
  • Ability to become National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fight Type 2 (FFT2) qualified through completing required coursework and field training within six (6) months of hire.
  • Ability to understand and follow verbal directions sufficient to interpret, communicate face to face or by two-way radio, and carry out assignments, safely, and efficiently.
  • Ability to work with limited supervision and independently solve problems as they arise.
  • Ability to communicate verbally with wildland firefighters, colleagues, partners, or public.
  • Ability to solve problems, make decisions, work safely, and effectively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Current possession of a valid Class A Driver’s License (CDL).
  • Qualified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2).
  • Qualified as a NWCG Fire Fighter Type 1 (FFT 1) or higher.
  • Current possession of a valid MN Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license.
  • Two (2) years or more of experience in safe operation and maintenance of equipment such as trucks, trailers, dozers, tractors, skid steers, mowers, chainsaws, boats, ATV's, UTV’s, firefighting slip-on pumpers, and other related equipment.
  • One (1) year or more experience in prescribed fire or wildfire suppression techniques and applications.
  • One (1) year or more experience in prairie, wetland, or forest habitat management and development techniques.
  • Working knowledge of a variety of GPS units.
  • Experience providing lead work direction, assigning tasks, and ensuring completion.
  • Current Faller 3 certification or has successfully completed S-212 (Wildland Fire Chainsaw) course.
  • Current Faller 2 certification.
  • Current First Aid/CPR certification.

Additional Requirements

This position requires current possession of a valid Class A license or the ability to obtain one in the first 6 months of employment.  The selected applicant will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen and will be included in the ongoing DNR random drug and alcohol test program.

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
     

Application Details

 

How to Apply 

  1. 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 careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
  2. 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, 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 affect your consideration for the position.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Louise Spiczka at louise.spiczka@state.mn.us or 320-301-0421.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us. 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 Jordan Krueger at jordan.krueger@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

  • A sense of purpose in their work
  • Connection with their coworkers and communities
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

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.

Your benefits may include: 

  • Paid vacation and sick leave 
  • 12 paid holidays each year 
  • Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
    • Fertility care, including IVF
    • Diabetes care
    • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
  • 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
  • Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
  • Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
  • Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
  • Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

  • Training, classes, and professional development
  • 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)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

  • A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
  • Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
  • 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. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.