Working Title: Environmental Review Program Director
Job Class: Planning Director State
Agency: Pollution Control Agency
Job ID : 88622
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 : 09/04/2025
Closing Date : 09/24/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Pollution Control Agency / Pollution Control-MAPE
Division/Unit : Environmental Quality Board
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes
Salary Range: $36.71 - $54.60 / hourly; $76,650 - $114,004 / annually
Job Class Option : Environmental
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative
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.
This position leads the statewide Environmental Review (ER) Program on behalf of the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). The person in this position provides oversight and guidance to program staff on implementing the program's workplan and daily responsibilities, including: daily operations, such as publishing the EQB Monitor and providing technical assistance; environmental review rule interpretation; communications with implementing agencies, units of government, and their staff; and developing recommendations for Chair and Board decisions. This position directly implements higher-level projects including rulemaking; complex program decisions or programmatic recommendations; and strategic planning efforts. In addition, this position leads interagency coordination, including managing interagency projects, and is responsible for partner and stakeholder relationship building and outreach.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must clearly demonstrate the following qualifications:
Four (4) years of advanced-professional experience coordinating and developing statewide, long-range plans for environmental, natural resources, land use, urban/regional planning, other related governmental area with knowledge of the principles and practices of diverse areas of environmental program management. (Example: Advanced professional-level experience within MPCA is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist: Environmental Specialist 3, Hydro 2, SPA Sr./Planner Sr., or higher-level work)
OR
Bachelor's degree in and three (3) years advanced professional environmental experience as described above. (A Master's degree in a field listed above would substitute for one year of experience.)
AND
Demonstrated planning and project management skills.
Ability to review and evaluate technical documents.
Strong writing and public speaking skills to communicate with a variety of audiences, including the Board and Board chair as final decision-makers.
Effective human relations skills to work with clientele and staff, problem-solving skills for resolving technical matters, and the ability to bring projects to a conclusion.
Possess a valid Driver's license (see additional requirements).
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 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.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with environmental review, such as demonstrated experience administering (e.g., writing, editing, managing) Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAWs) and/or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) documents.
Knowledge of and experience with environmental governance and regulatory structures (at the state level), including the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act and Minn. R. chapter 4410. .
Ability to:
Communicate sufficiently to achieve organizational goals, to coach and advise other program staff, and to support programs in resolving differences of opinion and creating a collaborative path forward.
Communicate complicated information to interested individuals and groups, and provide information to committees, legislators, and in other public forums.
Work with a number of state agencies in the development of coordinating programs.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with environmental review partners and stakeholders, such as public officials and planning groups.
Skills in negotiation and consensus building as the position will work with diverse individuals and organizations to find solutions to complex public policy and environmental management problems.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.
Additional Requirements
A driver's license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver's License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver's license AND a satisfactory DLR check. Requires a Class D Driver's License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver's license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.
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.
