Introduction We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
The Wisconsin DNR is hiring an LTE (Limited Term Employee) - Prescribed Fire Ecologist/ Forestry Specialist at our DNR Science Operations Center in Madison, WI.
This position will require travel throughout the state with occasional overnight stays. The position is expected to begin in spring, but the actual start date is negotiable.
This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.
To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs) .
Position Summary The successful candidate will design and implement research projects, collect, and maintain spatial databases and perform spatial data analyses for a variety of forestry projects. This position will also require working and communicating with internal and external partners including USFS, state, and county foresters. The position will use skills and technical abilities related to the development of new, innovative forest health applications of prescribed fire. Other skillsets include the ability to use Arc GIS software and program R (or similar) to review and analyze spatial datasets, independently build geodatabases, and design apps for spatial data collection.
This position will coordinate and conduct a variety of projects within the Division of Forestry, Forest Ecology and Economics section. The appointed person will work as part of a small team in a variety of roles collaborating on new and ongoing research projects. This may include helping set up study design and data collection protocols, fieldwork to collect data, as well as data management. One focus area is developing a research project to evaluate the potential of prescribed fire as a wounding mechanism in the establishment and spread of oak wilt pathogen. Other tasks will include assisting on a long-term project which aims to add complexity through harvest and fire to pine forests in northern WI. Fieldwork will include setting and monitoring growing season prescribed burns and fire effects in meeting desired management outcomes. Other work includes supporting collaborative research (USFS, Tribes, DNR Etc.) evaluating fire impacts on difficult to regenerate tree species as well as the historical role of fire in cultural landscapes. Incumbents of this position are required to meet and maintain eligibility to drive a State vehicle.
50% - Forestry Fieldwork and Fieldwork Preparation
- Coordination and planning of forestry fieldwork.
- Vegetation measurements.
- Set up long term demonstration areas.
- Establish marking guidelines in collaboration with state, county and federal foresters.
- Coordinate treatments including marking, harvest schedules, and prescribed burning.
30% - Forest Health Research
- Establish study evaluating fire and tree damage as a potential source of oak wilt infections.
- Assist in the development of best management practices for the application of fire for forest health.
10% - Spatial database creation, maintenance, analysis.
- Design and implement spatial data inventory systems.
- Develop and manage standard geographically based datasets.
- Data preparation, QA/QC and entry.
10% - Fire impacts on tree regeneration
- Evaluate fire as tool for regeneration of tree species.
- Work on role of low severity fire in mesic landscapes.
Salary Information This position pays between $23.00-25.00 per hour and is in pay schedule and range 15-03 in the Forestry Specialist classification. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.
Job Details This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.
More about LTE positions: 1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.
2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.
3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.
4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.
Special Requirements: 1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.
A Wisconsin resident is a person who:
a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;
b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;
c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or
d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c)." s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.
2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.
3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
Qualifications In addition to the required qualifications below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid driver's license
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
- Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
- Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year
Required Qualifications- Working knowledge and interest in forest and fire ecology
- Proficiency with manipulating large datasets and statistical software programs
- Detail oriented and enthusiasm for learning
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, GIS, and ArcMap programs
Preferred Qualifications- The ability to complete high quality work and adhere to a timeline with little supervision
- Familiarity and experience with prescribed burning, silviculture
- Strong field and laboratory skills
- Basic wildland fire training (S130/190) and chainsaw training are desired, but not required.
How To Apply Click the "Apply for Job" button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application.
Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact kori.schroeder@wisconsin.gov .
For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions.
Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click
here .
Deadline to Apply Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on January 27 th , 2025 in order to be considered.
