| Location | Duluth, MN |
| Salary | $24.69–$34.20 Per Hour |
Forestry Technician
Salary
$24.69 - $35.39 Hourly
Location
Duluth, MN
Job Type
Permanent, Full-Time
Job Number
26-131/786-01
Department
Land and Minerals
Opening Date
09/04/2026
Closing Date
9/21/2026 11:59 PM Central
Kind of Work
Are you interested in applying forest management techniques and practices to support the Countys land and forest management program? A Forestry Technician position is now available in Duluth, MN. At St. Louis County youll find competitive pay, professional development, work life balance, and great benefits.
The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026.
The full salary range for Forestry Technician Trainee, including longevity pay, is $24.69 - $34.20 per hour.
The full salary range for Forestry Technician I, including longevity pay, is $26.35 - $36.81 per hour.
The full salary range for Forestry Technician II, including longevity pay, is $29.19 - $41.09 per hour.
This position is part of the Civil Service Basic Union Contract represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.
St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
Distinguishing Features of Work
Forestry Technician Trainee:
An employee in this classification is responsible for assisting in the more routine phases of County land and resource management activities as assigned according to governing laws and regulations. At this entry level class, employees perform routine and progressively more responsible tasks following established procedures and guidelines, and operations or assignments of a complex nature are referred to higher level technicians for assistance. Duties include assisting in gathering, preparing and reporting resource data from the field; conducting routine tasks concerned with timber sales and land use programs; and assisting in the surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a section supervisor, staff supervisor, or Land Manager.
Forestry Technician I:
An employee in this class is responsible for participating in all phases of County land resource management activities as assigned according to governing laws and regulations. Work assignments in this class may range from carrying out routine tasks performed under immediate supervision to independently handling specific procedural tasks under the general direction of a field project leader. Or, under specific situations with demonstrated skill and experience, the employee may be assigned as a task leader for specific short term project(s). Duties include gathering, preparing and reporting resource data from the field in support of planning and marketing functions; conducting tasks concerned with timber sales and land use programs; and performing surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects. The work is performed under the supervision of the Area Manager, or depending upon assignment, the Land and Minerals Department staff officer in charge of the program.
Forestry Technician II:
An employee in this class is responsible for participating in all phases of County land resource management activities as assigned. Assignments and responsibilities that distinguish this classification from the Forestry Technician I class include the following: making more extensive and independent adaptations of field procedures; survey assignments typically involve the application of more skill and experience; duties involve the application of more complex resource variables; the employee will have lead worker responsibilities on specific field assignments; there is more responsibility for planning, directing and organizing work and for making final inspections; and the overall level of responsibility for work assignments is of a more difficult and independent nature. Duties include preparing and reporting resource data from the field; surveying, measuring, recording and assessment of various resources and specific land management projects; and carrying out specialized practices in forest management protection. The work is performed under the supervision of the Area Manager, or, depending upon assignment, the Land and Minerals Department staff officer in charge of the program.
Work Environment
Forestry Technician Trainee, Forestry Technician I, and Forestry Technician II:
These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Level lift up to 25 pounds; elevated lift up to 15 pounds; carry (wear field vest with supplies) 30 pounds; grip strength up to 25 pounds; balance; grasp/handle; reach above shoulder; stand; walk; hearing and vision. FREQUENT: Low lift up to 30 pounds; sit; works alone; works with others; customer/public contact; inside; outside; drive; exposure to weather; slippery surfaces. OCCASIONAL: Low lift up to 50 pounds; very low lift up to 140 pounds; push/pull up to 50 pounds; pull force (peak force) up to 150 pounds; climb stairs; crouch/squat; kneel; rotate trunk; stoop/bend; extended day; unprotected heights; chemicals; moving objects; traffic. RARE: Crawl.
Selection Process
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician Trainee (Pass/Fail):
NOTE: After completion of two years in this classification, an employee, with the recommendation of the Department Head and upon satisfactory service rating, may be promoted to the Forester I classification.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician I (Pass/Fail):
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Forestry Technician II (Pass/Fail):
Note: If the successful candidate possesses the above qualifications, they may be considered, at the discretion of the hiring authority, for appointment at the Forestry Technician Trainee, Forestry Technician I or the Forestry Technician II level. This would be determined at the time a job offer is extended.
RATING SYSTEM:
Supplemental Questions will be 100% of the scoring process:
Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. Its recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when youre finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.
VETERANS PREFERENCE:
If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:
Please refer to Minnesota Statue 197.455 for additional requirements. Click Here.
PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS:
Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.
DRUG TESTING:
Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.
BACKGROUND CHECK:
Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION:
All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Appointees to the position must successfully complete at least a twelve-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.
NON-DISCRIMINATION:
St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.
Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:
Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.
01
Please type or clearly print your name.
02
The information you provide related to your education, training, and experience is subject to verification. I understand that giving false information, failing to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification.
03
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County?
04
All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas, and it does not currently participate in E-Verify. Will you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States?
05
Do you have a valid drivers license?
06
Which describes your level of education?
07
Which of the following best describes your level of experience? Please note that one-year of full-time experience equals 2080 hours or 40 hours per week. Part-time hours must be pro-rated. For instance, two years of working 20 hours per week equals one year of full-time experience. Your answer must match the work experience section of your application.
08
At the discretion of the hiring authority, this position may be filled using the Forestry Technician Trainee (full salary range including longevity pay is $24.69 - $34.20 per hour), Forestry Technician I (full salary range including longevity pay is $26.35 - $36.81 per hour), or the Forestry Technician II class (full salary range including longevity pay is $29.19 - $41.09 per hour). Please indicate your willingness to accept employment as follows:
09
SME Explanation: Questions 10-14 will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). The questions will be scored and used to help determine 100% of your score. For each question, please list the organization(s) and/or employers where you gained the experience. All information listed must also be supported in the work experience section of your application. I have read and understand the instructions given above and acknowledge that I understand my score is derived 100% from my answers to supplemental questions 10-14.
10
Providing examples from your experience, explain two specific benefits of county forest management to our region.
11
As an employee with the Land and Minerals Department, you'll be responsible for many different aspects of land management; timber sale preparation, gravel permit and pit inspections (Forestry Technician II), contract administration, regeneration inspections, etc. Describe how you would consider and prioritize your workload to successfully complete the responsibilities of this position.
12
Using an example from your previous experience, what would you consider and/or utilize in determining and placing a correct cutting boundary?
13
As a Forestry Technician, you may be tasked with leading specials projects, coordinating outreach activities and supporting upper management with technical issues. Name five character traits you possess and how you would use them to successfully perform these tasks.
14
How does a harvest model help forestry staff manage timber resources within a given management area? Provide an example from your experience.
15
I certify that my responses to the questions above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Required Question
Employer St. Louis County, Minnesota
Address 100 N 5th Ave. W., Room 1
Duluth, Minnesota, 55802
Phone 218-726-2422
Website http://www.stlouiscountymn.gov