POSITION TITLE: forest invasive plant coordinator

Hiring Organization/Employer:  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Application Deadline:  July 13, 2026
Education Required:  work experience related to management and control of invasive plants
Location:  Remote/Statewide Wisconsin

Description:  

 This position is the technical expert and strategic planner for forest invasive plant management in the Division and Department. It leads the development and implementation of policy by fostering partnerships between state and federal agencies and guides invasive plant management for state forestry personnel. This position requires applied knowledge of field forest management activities to provide guidance on the sustainable management of forest resources with respect to forest invasive plants. The Forest Invasive Plant Coordinator is a key internal and external consultant for staff, leadership, interdivisional team, and inter-agency teams at the statewide, regional and national levels. The customer base for this position include Division Forest Health staff, three Division Bureaus and three Districts, as well as colleagues throughout the Department and key partner groups, including corresponding programs at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, US Forest Service, tribal governments, Wisconsin communities, non-profit organizations, foundations, and professional organizations related to or allied with forest health issues. 

 

 

Compensation & Benefits:  

 Starting pay for this position is between $35.92 to $42.09 per hour (or $74,713.60 to $87,547.20 annually), in addition to excellent benefits.

 

 

Responsibilities:  

 30% A. Coordinate and Lead Programs
A1. Establish program strategy, scope and direction for the management of forest invasive
plants at the statewide level consistent with Department and partner strategies.
A2. Develop goals, objectives, timelines, and budget proposals to support the long-term vision.
A3. Develop a system for monitoring and evaluating results of the forestry invasive plants
program.
A4. Provide strategic direction to field staff in the Forestry Division on methods and practices for
managing invasive plants that minimize their impacts on forest ecosystems and forest
operations.
A5. Provide strategic guidance to county forest staff, industrial foresters, loggers and
landowners on methods and practices for managing invasive plants that minimize their
impacts on forest ecosystems and forest operations.
A6. Coordinate and prioritize responsibilities at the Division and statewide levels with program
limited term employees.
A7. Pursue external grant opportunities for the prevention, inventory, control and monitoring of
forest invasive plants. When grants are awarded, maintain records and provide reports as
required by policy, regulations and law.
A8. Administer state and federal grant funds for the prevention, inventory, control and
monitoring of forest invasive plants.
30% B.
Provide Technical Expertise in Invasive Plant Management
B1. Provide technical expertise on the proper application and use of forest management pesticides by DNR foresters and landowners.
B2. Provide technical expertise to the Department, government agencies, industry, tribes,
private organizations and individuals on forest invasive plant issues.
B3. Advise Department leadership, legislature, Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species, Wisconsin
Council on Forestry and other groups regarding forest invasive plant issues.
B4. Ensure consistency in the delivery of technical forest invasive plant services statewide
within the Department.B5. Integrate current scientific information on the dispersal and the
effects of invasive plants, and methods for mitigating their impacts with forestry
management and operations.
B6. Collaborate with internal and external partners on biological control programs for invasive
species.
B7. Oversee approval process for pesticide applications within the Division of Forestry.
15% C.
Develop and Evaluate Policy and Procedures
C1. Develop and evaluate policy and procedures for the implementation of the forest invasive
plant program pursuant to all statutory and administrative rules.
C2. Collaborate with the Department Invasive Species Team, the Wisconsin Council on Invasive
Species, the Wisconsin Council on Forestry, and representatives of other state agencies to
develop policy and regulations to implement the Invasive Species Statute, 23.22 and
Administrative Code NR 40.
C3. Develop and analyze recommendations for legislation related to forest invasive plant issues.
C4. Work with the DNR Integrated Certification Implementation Team to prevent and mitigate
concerns related to forest invasive plants and pesticide use on certified lands.
C5. Work with DNR tax law programs to assist cooperating foresters and landowners on
addressing and monitoring invasive plants on private land.
C6. Serve on the Department Pesticide Use Team as the Program Pesticide Coordinator for the
Division of Forestry and service on the Forestry Pesticide Use Team.
15% D. Develop and Maintain Internal and External Partnerships
D1. Serve as a member of the Department Invasive Species Team, ad hoc groups, committees,
and other groups as assigned to advance awareness for program goals.
D2. Foster partnerships within the Department and with other agencies/organizations to
develop and implement management objectives for forest invasive plants.
D3. Partner with university researchers, industry, federal agencies and neighboring states to
identify forest invasive plant research needs and collaborate on research projects.
D4. Maintain communications with other government agencies, private, non-profit and
professional organizations, and universities on technical issues related to the effects and
management of invasive plants.
D5. Collaborate with partners on citizen monitoring and reporting projects.
D6. Maintain active partnerships with statewide Cooperative Weed Management Areas
(CWMAs) through resource sharing and guidance.
10% E.
Coordinate Education and Training Programs
E1. Produce educational and training materials on forest invasive plants prevention, inventory,
control and regulations for Forestry Division staff, consultants, private forest landowners,
and citizen scientists.
E2. Coordinate with Division and Department staff, FISTA, UW-Extension and other
organizations to identify and implement training.
E3. Facilitate training programs to inform DNR staff, industrial and consulting foresters on the
proper use, safe handling methods, environmental hazards and changes in regulations of
pesticide use in forests.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to obtain and maintain a WI driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Wisconsin’s Forestry Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Knowledge of forest invasive plants with an emphasis on forest ecology.
2. Knowledge of principles and practice of integrated pest management and biological control of forest
invasive species.
3. Knowledge of forest management practices and principles.
4. Knowledge of forest vegetation inventory methods, equipment and techniques for determining
distribution and impact of forest invasive plant management strategies.
5. Knowledge of forest pesticides, their role and proper use in forest management, the types of application
procedures and application equipment and the associated environmental benefits and/or risks.
6. Knowledge of research methods, such as collection, analysis, and reporting of quantitative data.
7. Skills in public speaking and use of visual aids.
8. Skills in the use of computer-based systems for information management and exchange including
database, spreadsheet, word processing, GPS, GIS, PowerPoint and Internet.
9. Skills and ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment.
10. Ability to facilitate decision making in a group context.
11. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
12. Ability to perform tasks with a high level of accuracy, while keeping an eye on the big picture.
13. Effective prioritization skills.
14. Knowledge of the flora, vegetative communities and physical environment of Wisconsin.
15. Knowledge of state statutes, administrative rules, policies and programs applicable to the invasive plant
program.
16. Knowledge of state, federal and other grant programs with funds for invasive plant prevention,
inventory, control and monitoring

 

 

 

How to Apply:  

 If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 21252 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.

All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Monday, July 13, 2026.

 

 

 

 

Contact:  

 

Becky H. Gray
she/her
Forest Health Team Leader – Division of Forestry
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 608-220-3022
Rebecca.Gray@wisconsin.gov