• Job ID: 83314
• Location: St. Paul, New Ulm, Bemidji, or Grand Rapids
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 1/16/2025
• Closing Date: 2/5/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Ecological & Water Resources
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $25.29 - $36.71 / hourly; $52,805 - $76,650 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

This position provides direct support, training, facilitation, and consultation to aid the Division of Ecological & Water Resources’ statewide planning efforts, operations and process improvements, meetings and decision-making processes, event planning, project management, public engagement, and policy analysis in line with division and department priorities. Specific responsibilities include:

• Help coordinate the planning, development, and implementation of division-level operational and legislative processes, including coordinating and managing updates and improvements to division-level policies and procedures.
• Help plan and manage projects, events, and initiatives at the department, division, section, program, and topic/issue levels.
• Serve as a consultant to help design, scope, facilitate, and manage problem-solving meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, and organizational development events.
• Represent the division and/or department on standing work committees and problem-solving projects.
• Pursue learning and training opportunities so that job-related skills are current and continuously improving. Where appropriate, achieve adequate mastery of content sufficient to train others.

The primary work location for this position is negotiable and will be determined at the time of hire. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to select one of the following regional headquarters depending on space availability: St. Paul, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, or New Ulm.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis, which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, natural resource management, environmental policy, or related field, OR two (2) years of professional working experience in planning, project management, administration, public engagement, or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.
• Experience with planning practices, meeting facilitation (virtual and in-person), and process design. 
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to cultivate professional relationships and networks, build consensus, and effectively collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to accomplish common goals.
• Project management and organizational skills sufficient to collaborate, plan, organize, evaluate, and manage multiple projects, as well as ability to adapt according to feedback and changing circumstances and independently prioritize involvement in multiple projects.
• Ability to learn new strategies, tactics, and technologies related to planning and communication to support relationship-building and creative problem solving. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Office 365 sufficient to produce, edit, and maintain Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, surveys, and other digital content.
• Ability to become proficient with digital accessibility practices, communicate with plain language, and learn current applicable statewide and department tools and applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in planning, natural resource management, environmental policy, or related field.
• Three (3) years of professional working experience in planning, project management, administration, public engagement, or related field.
• Completion of specialized training and/or certification in project management and process improvement, such as Lean Six Sigma yellow or green training or PMP certification. 
• Completion of specialized training and/or certification in facilitation, planning, process design, or public engagement techniques, such as Bleiker Training or IAP2 certification. 
• Professional experience facilitating operational planning, continuous improvement, and/or strategic planning processes.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations. 
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. All job offers are contingent upon passing the following components:

• Employment Reference Check
• SEMA4 Records Check
• Criminal History Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Education/license verification