Working Title: Equipment Operator

Job Class: Laborer-Trades & Equipment

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 04/25/2024

• Closing Date : 05/15/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Fish and Wildlife / Region 4

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $24.47 - $28.22 / hourly; $51,093 - $58,923 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 202 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees / AFSCME

• Work Area : Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area

• FLSA Status: Non- Exempt

• Telework Eligible : No

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

The DNR is currently seeking a seasonal, full-time Equipment Operator position in Dundee, MN. Normal anticipated season dates are mid-March through mid-December each calendar year.

This position exists to provide the specialized equipment operation and labor skills necessary to assist with construction, restoration, and enhancement projects on wildlife management areas and other public lands throughout the three county Redwood Falls work area. The position will travel daily and work throughout Brown, Redwood, and Renville Counties.

This position specializes in habitat and facility management work on prairie, savanna, wetland, and forest habitats. 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; forest stand management; conservation grazing infrastructure construction; facility and access development and maintenance; boundary development; site cleanup; maintaining and repairing DNR owned buildings along with the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to accomplish these activities.

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. This job requires moving to a significant degree on rough terrain. It requires the ability to move 2 miles in 30 minutes while transporting a 25-pound pack (passing the Work Capacity Test, moderate level).

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 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 directions sufficient to interpret, communicate, and carry out assignments, safely, and efficiently.

• Ability to work with limited supervision and independently solve problems as they arise.

• 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).

• Knowledge of or experience in prairie, wetland, and forest habitat management and development techniques.

• Knowledge of prescribed fire techniques and operations.

• Qualified as a NWCG Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) or higher.

• 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.

• Working knowledge of a variety of GPS units.

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.

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

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 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 job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.