Job Information
State of Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Habitat Coordinator - NR Program Coordinator in Bemidji, Minnesota
Working Title: Fish and Wildlife Habitat Coordinator
Job Class: Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
Job ID : 77830
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 06/26/2024
Closing Date : 07/16/2024
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit : DNR Fish and Wildlife
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes; Intermittent to meetings and field site visits
Salary Range: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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.
The DNR is currently seeking a NR Program Coordinator to administer a statewide program for development of prairie and wetland habitat projects for the Division of Fish and Wildlife (FAW). Position will provide direction to ensure effective and efficient administration of prairie and wetland habitat projects for the Climate Resiliency, Inflation Reduction Act, and other special project funding. The position will coordinate with FAW staff to administer prairie and wetland habitat restoration and enhancement projects with guidance on funds, planning, execution, and monitoring of habitat enhancement contracts for prairie and wetland work. This position will also take on special initiative projects for FAW. This position serves to provide technical assistance to area, regional, state program staff and conservation partners in their project development and work planning. Finally, this position will provide statewide budget management to ensure prairie and wetland habitat project funding sources (e.g. Climate Resiliency, Inflation Reduction Act, Game and Fish, other special initiatives) are properly expended per MN Statutes and Department policies.
Responsibilities include:
Assist in managing prairie and wetland habitat statewide by managing Climate Resiliency and Inflation Reduction Act projects that qualify for funding based on funding rules and high-quality science for habitat management. This means integrating technical information and modern restoration and enhancement techniques for innovative approaches to address resource needs.
Administer the Division’s Climate Resiliency and Inflation Reduction Act funding in coordination with the FAW Prairie Habitat Supervisor, Wetland Habitat Supervisor, and Operation and Development Supervisor, including continuous improvement of policies, procedures and best practices used within the program and on the ground.
Manage special contracting projects statewide at the section or division level that come up through the fiscal year, as directed by supervisor, Wildlife Section Management or FAW Division Leadership.
This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a full or part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.
This posting will be used to fill one (1) vacancy with a preferred work location in Glenwood, MN or an Area or Regional Wildlife office located in the Bemidji, St. Paul, or New Ulm, MN regions. The selected candidate may have the option to report to other existing DNR offices. The specific location will be agreed upon at time of selection.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, ecology, natural resources management, or closely related field.
Three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management programs, habitat development techniques and field operations, sufficient to identify or provide direction for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of Wildlife Management Areas.
Experience administering budgets, preparing budget requests, and authorizing expenditures.
Advanced knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to conservation and natural resource management as well as practices of prairie and wetland establishment, management, and enhancement needs and techniques.
Knowledge of and experience with wetland ecosystem management. This includes detailed knowledge of limnology, management of wetland ecology and classification, ecology and taxonomy of aquatic and moist soil plants, wetland wildlife habitat requirements, ecological responses to changes in hydrology and fish populations, habitat survey techniques, and boat and water safety.
Knowledge of and experience with prairie ecosystem management activities such as prescribed burning, grazing, tree removal, and prairie and wetland seed mix, design, and planting.
Human relations skills sufficient to coordinate and achieve cooperation with the public, peers, and staff.
Ability to direct colleagues and teams; plan, manage, and implement projects and programs with tight deadlines.
Ability to effectively communicate with others, using appropriate style as necessary to further program objectives when not all staff or stakeholders are supportive.
Oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate complex information in varied settings to a wide variety of audiences including the public, colleagues, and superiors.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in wildlife management, ecology, natural resources management, or closely related field.
Three (3) years of professional experience in wetland and prairie habitat development techniques and field operations.
Experience with complex budget and funding processes and optimizing resource allocation within constraints.
Experience administering state contracts and overseeing projects to completion.
Experience coordinating projects with regulatory agencies or multidisciplinary teams.
Experience drafting policy recommendations for regulatory use.
Experience with media interviews, public and staff presentations, and communicating with public about controversial topics.
Additional Requirements
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
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. The background check may consist of the following components:
Conflict of Interest Review
Criminal History Check
Education Verification
Employment Reference / Records Check
License / Certification Verification
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.