These positions direct and provide forest management assistance on private lands, state lands, federal lands, and county forests. Forest management includes forest reconnaissance, management plans, prescriptions, timber sale establishment and administration, timber stand improvement, reforestation and afforestation, forest road development and maintenance, and/or property management. This includes providing advice and services to private landowners and DNR property managers on state-owned lands, supporting administration of the Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and functioning as the single point of contact or liaison to the assigned County Forest.

Most, but not all, of the Forester positions include wildland fire responsibilities. The Forester positions with wildland fire include fire line responsibilities such as initial attack, wildfire suppression, planning and conducting prescribed burning activities to achieve habitat and property management on federal, state, county and private lands. These positions also provide expert training to Fire Department personnel and other partners. 

These positions are designated internally as Forester Operators (T4 Vehicle Type) or Forester Rangers (T6/T7 Vehicle Type and Non-Driving Positions).  Forester Operator positions require a Commercial Driver’s License to operate their assigned equipment. Forester Ranger positions are assigned equipment that does not require a CDL, but may include forestry law enforcement in the assigned area to deal with civil enforcement situations. 

Positions with wildland fire responsibilities are key to public safety and security and require the incumbent to meet and maintain the physical fitness test standards required for all Department protective retirement category, which offers additional retirement benefits. The principal responsibilities of these positions may require active fire suppression duties which require frequent exposure to a high degree of danger or peril and also require a high degree of physical conditioning.