(1) Every person hired as a field forester by the department on or after November 20, 2003, shall have received a bachelor’s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester.
(2) Notwithstanding s. 230.14 (3m), the department may require as a condition of application that an applicant for the position of field forester has met the educational requirements specified under sub. (1).