A map showing the zones of coverage for each of the six DNR Forest Health Specialists. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened the search for candidates to fill two Forest Health Specialist openings, one in the West Central zone and one in the South Central zone.
The posting can be seen on the WiscJobs website. To be considered, candidates have until the posted deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, to submit a resume and letter of qualifications.
After the positions are filled, the DNR’s Forest Health team will have a roster of six specialists, each covering a separate region of the state, along with other staff members.
Forest Health Specialists are tasked with implementing the statewide Forest Health program across multiple ecological forest habitat types. They should provide forest entomology, pathology and abiotic diagnostics, investigatory and survey services, and integrated pest management recommendations to public and private forest landowners. They should also increase awareness and understanding of invasive plant identification and management.
Forest Health Specialists support policy development, program management and training for the statewide Forest Health program as part of the Division of Forestry and its Bureau of Applied Forestry. Position holders should provide key internal and external consultation to staff, leadership, interdivisional teams and partner groups.
Complete position descriptions are available for the West Central opening and the South Central opening.
The South Central position will be headquartered in Fitchburg, and the specialist will cover Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk and Vernon counties.
The West Central specialist can be headquartered in any available DNR office in the counties covered: Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix and Trempealeau.
The South Central position opened in September when Mike Hillstrom was promoted to the position of Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator. The West Central position opened with the retirement of Todd Lanigan in July 2022.