Working Title: Urban & Community Forestry Project Specialist

Job Class: State Program Administrator Senior

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 04/17/2024

• Closing Date : 05/07/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Forestry

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $26.64 - $39.06 / hourly; $55,624 - $81,557 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Telework Eligible : Yes, hybrid

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This posting will be used to fill three (3) State Program Administrator Senior positions to work in the Forestry division.

These positions provide leadership, direction and administration for Urban and Community Forestry projects within the Division of Forestry. These positions will also work with the statewide Urban and Community Forestry assistance programs within the Division of Forestry and the numerous partners involved in Urban and Community Forestry, so that shade tree and community forest resources are maintained and managed to enhance the physical, social and economic wellbeing of the state’s communities.

Responsibilities include:

1. Assess state urban and community forestry resources and programs, and develop products. Work with partners in promoting available data and provide education in its uses and applications.

2. Administer the community forestry grants program, including the development and management of received and outgoing grants.

3. Provide urban and community forestry outreach, education, and technical assistance to communities statewide, e.g. ordinance development, urban forestry invasives management and response, etc.

4. Facilitate urban and community forestry training and continuing education and outreach opportunities to enhance management of community forests.

Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but are subject to change based on work needs; hours of work may include weekends, evenings and holidays. Primary work location is negotiable based on business need and space availability but will be determined at the time of hire. Work location must be within the state (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast or Central regions). No more than two (2) positions will be hired to the same location or region. This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis, which may be subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

· Three (3) years intermediate level professional experience. Experience must include providing community forest management theory/practices and delivering technical knowledge to community and forest professionals.

o A Bachelor's degree in Urban and Community Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, Entomology, or closely related field may substitute for one year of experience.

o A Master’s degree in Urban and Community Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, Entomology, or closely related field may substitute for two years of experience.

· Knowledge of current Urban and Community Forestry issues including forest health, environmental justice, urban wood utilization, canopy and community resource assessment, community forest benefits analysis, and community forest implications on storm water management.

· Knowledge of resource planning strategies and communication methodologies with the capacity to analyze social economic and environmental data, apply assessment through development strategies and projects, and effectively communicate analysis and project effects.

· Experience with budget policies, procedures and regulations sufficient to manage and administer budget and to cost effectively deliver resources.

· Ability to manage grant efforts that include payments/expenditures, optimizing grant efforts, overseeing grant applications, progress reports, compliance/regulations, reviewing grant proposals, managing grant databases, and engaging/educating grantees and partner organizations.

· High level of organizational skills with an ability to prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple tasks and projects.

· Demonstrated experience in project management including project planning, organization, and implementation.

· GIS skills including cartographic output (map generation) sufficient to integrate various types of data and produce professional analysis and presentation materials.

• Cultural competency sufficient to work with and serve diverse communities.

· Ability to train and teach sufficient to convey information in classrooms, field demonstrations, seminars, workshops and to DNR staff as well as partnering resource managers.

· Human relations skills sufficient to direct staff and lead personnel working in programs, build and lead successful teams, and negotiate successful resolution to complex issues.

· Communication skills sufficient to communicate complex concepts and principals to other resource professionals and the public and make effective presentations to a wide variety of audiences by identifying their level of understanding and evoking a positive response.

· Ability to prepare and edit high quality technical reports and management plans, and interpret scientific literature sufficient to solve problems, educate others and increase expertise in a specialty area.

· Leadership skills sufficient to build and manage teams, motivate people and obtain program commitment from division personnel and other forest managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master of Science in Urban and Community Forestry, Arboriculture, or related field.

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, or equivalent certifications.

• Completion of a Leadership Development Program.

• Experience managing grant efforts that include payments/expenditures, optimizing grant efforts, overseeing grant applications, progress reports, compliance/regulations, reviewing grant proposals, managing grant databases, and engaging/educating grantees and partner organizations.

• Demonstrated experience in project management including project planning, organizations, and implementation.

• Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures and operating guidelines and State of Minnesota statutes pertaining to natural resources management.

• Knowledge of the state’s accounting/grant processing.

• Broad range of experience with all programs administered by the Division of Forestry with an emphasis on the following major field operations programs: 1) State Land Management; 2) Resource Protection with an emphasis on fire suppression and management; 3) Forest Resource Information and Analysis with an emphasis on FIM; and 4) Cooperative Forest Management.

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.