College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Stewardship Resource Analyst

Hiring Organization: State of Michigan DNR
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Upper Peninsula, MI
Application Due Date: November 10, 2026

This position is the Recognized Resource for the Eastern and Western Upper Peninsula Districts. The function of the Stewardship Resource Analyst is to further the Department of Natural Resources statutory state park mission to "…acquire, protect, and preserve the natural, historic and cultural features of Michigan’s unique resources…" within a geographic region of the state. This position's geographic area of responsibility is the Eastern and Western Upper Peninsula Districts. The Stewardship Resource Analyst provides natural resource technical assistance to PRD field staff, Field Planners, contractors, and partners. This position assists Field Planners, Trails Analysts, and Park Supervisors/Managers plan and construct development projects that are compatible with PRD's natural resource protection mission. The Stewardship Resource Analyst performs on the ground survey, evaluation, and monitoring of the condition of natural resources, invasive species, forest health, impacts from recreation and the success of past ecological restoration treatments. The Stewardship Resource Analyst investigates the potential impacts of proposed development projects and events and makes recommendations. This position coordinates with stewardship partners. This position may also assist with the stewardship of cultural resources.

Duties

Within the geographic area of responsibility, conduct field surveys to determine and assess threats to natural resources, determining the extent, immediacy, and irreversibility of the threats. Prioritize and develop strategies to abate threats and oversee the implementation of abatement and ecological restoration and monitoring. Individual tasks related to the duty:

• Conduct field surveys of PRD administered lands to assess actual and potential threats to natural resources, especially conservation targets identified in Natural Resource Stewardship Plans. Utilize Michigan Forest Inventory data, Michigan Natural Features Inventory reports and other sources to inform threat assessments and abatement strategies.

• Survey land and water around a proposed new project site to identify natural resource threats, such as erosion, negative side effects to wildlife, or threats to the land. Make recommendations to eliminate or reduce those threats. This may include identifying the best location, time of day to complete the project, safest equipment to use, etc.

• Perform surveys for forest health, oak wilt, hemlock wooly adelgid, emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle etc. Perform invasive species surveys. Evaluate anthropogenic changes to natural habitats: altered natural disturbance regimes, erosion, hydrology, fire, recreational impacts, etc. Research effects of invasive species on trees and plants to be able to identify the threat independently and quickly. • Consult with PRD’s Ecologist, Ecological Restoration Specialist, and Forest Health Specialist to prioritize threat abatement, develop management strategies and implement.

• Perform on the ground evaluation of the success/effectiveness of restoration treatments and make recommendations to inform adaptive management. Assess and monitor projects for adaptive management to ensure natural resources are being protected. Assess completed projects to ensure there were no unintended negative side effects to natural resources. Provide recommendations for future projects, based on these findings.

• Develop written specifications for natural resource management including ecological restoration. Develop contract specifications, and conduct contract field administration including pre-start meetings, mid-contract inspections and final contract inspections. Conduct or attend pre-bid meetings.

• Attend DNR Pre-Compartment reviews and Compartment Reviews across the six Upper Peninsula FRD management units to assess potential impact to the natural resources of state forest campgrounds, boating access sites, state harbors, recreational trails and state park lands adjacent to state forest lands, including aesthetics, land use decisions and ecological integrity. Provide written and/or verbal comments to PRD managers and other DNR managers. In accordance with PRD Ecologist, Ecological Restoration Specialist, and Forest Health Specialist recommendations, provide recommendations to PRD and DNR managers based on these reviews.

• Monitor state land in geographical area of coverage to identify illegal land use activity, such as illegal ORV use, trespassing, theft, encroachment etc. This requires extensive knowledge of the geographical area. • Provide information about the illegal land use activity and pertinent information about the land to the investigation team to assist with investigation.

• Ensure recreational use and development plans are in compliance with federal and state invasive species statutes, requiring extensive knowledge of the statutes.

 

Transfer technical knowledge of natural resource stewardship to Parks and Recreation Division staff, Regional Field Planners, and contractors. Individual tasks related to the duty:

• Review and provide recommendations on proposed development projects to reduce or eliminate negative natural resources impacts.

• Work with PRD’s regional Field Planners, Park Supervisor/Managers, and regional Trail Coordinators to devise plans that appropriately balance PRD's natural resource protection with PRD’s outdoor recreation mission.

• Review Work Item Proposals for development projects and provide recommendations to PRD Ecologist.

• Provide office review and field reconnaissance to evaluate the potential resource impacts of large or impactful events being considered. Make recommendations for Use Permit Special Conditions to reduce or eliminate negative impacts.

• Provide recommendation and guidance on EGLE stream crossing permits and Best Management Practices when rivers and streams, riparian management zones, erosion control and shoreline stabilization issues emerge.

• Provide recommendation and guidance on soil bio-engineering solutions to erosion control, and shoreline stabilization.

• Participate in General Mgmt. Plan meetings and provide Stewardship input for parks in the geographic area of responsibility.

• Provide input and recommendation to Natural Resource Stewardship Plans for park in the geographic area of responsibility.

 

Perform other stewardship tasks and other duties as assigned. Individual tasks related to the duty:

• Provide guidance and direction to contractors based on findings of MiFI Audit

• Provide direction and recommendations to park managers and staff on stewardship projects that need to be completed to eliminate threats to natural resources. This could include installation of fencing, change of layout, etc.

• Review the contract work product of MNFI Michigan Forest Inventory (MiFI) survey to provide quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) for the MiFI survey on PRD administered lands statewide. Perform MiFI stand delineation, field MiFI data collection and data entry for assigned PRD administered lands in the Northern Lower Peninsula.

• Coordinate with Wildlife Division, Forest Resources Division, Fisheries Division, CISMA's, US Forest Service, National Park Service and other partners on regional initiatives such as invasive species control and production of local genotype seed/plant materials.

• Assist with the planning and conduct of prescribed fire.

• Assist with group and volunteer stewardship events/work as occasionally assigned.

• Assist with the creating plans and monitoring for soil erosion and sedimentation compliance on stewardship-related projects that involve significant construction or ground disturbance.

• Provide stewardship review and recommendation on land acquisition, transfers, divestures and change in lead administration.

• Assist with cultural resource protection and restoration.

• When requested represent PRD at internal and external meetings.

 

Work is performed in both office and field settings. Time is about 50/50 but varies with season. Office work is performed in an office environment while standing or sitting. Field work will be performed in a wide range of outdoor settings involving traversing long distances, often in remote areas, over a variety of terrain in a variety of weather conditions. Daily physical activities may include standing, sitting, computer keyboarding/mouse usage, reaching, bending, lifting, carrying, walking, hiking, wading, stooping, and driving, including the operation of an ATV and chainsaw. Operation of GPS equipment will occur. Hand and power tools/equipment may be used occasionally. Conditions/hazards exposed to on a periodic basis include wet, cold, heat, noise, dust, smoke, odors, fumes, fire, chemicals, vegetation, insects, and other animals.

Reconnaissance of natural areas and project areas requires the ability to traverse long distances in undeveloped areas over uneven, unstable, snow covered and wet ground. Survey for invasive species, botanical surveys, vegetation monitoring, assessing hydrology alteration etc. requires reasonably good vision. Some work tasks require lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. Operation of motor vehicles.

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