Working Title: Landscape Stewardship Planner
Job Class: State Program Administrator Senior
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
Job ID : 91809
Location : Sauk Rapids
Telework Eligible : Yes, up to 50%
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 03/26/2026
Closing Date : 04/15/2026
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: $28.26 - $41.43 / hourly; $59,006 - $86,505 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
End Date : 01/06/2027
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
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 division of Forestry is seeking to hire one (1) State Program Admin Senior, Landscape Stewardship Planner. It is located in Sauk Rapids, MN. 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.
Responsibilities include:
Private Lands Forest Conservation Planning. This position exists to develop, coordinate, implement, and maintain watershed-based Landscape Stewardship Plans (LSPs).This position will coordinate the incorporation of information in the LSPs into comprehensive watershed management plans (CWMPs) developed through the Board of Water and Soil Resources ( BWSR) One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) program as provided by authorities in Minnesota Statutes 103B as well as other relevant local, state, and federal water resource planning efforts (i.e. MDH source water plans); the state's Climate Action Framework; and the Minnesota Forest Action Plan (FAP).
Landscape Level Coordination and Technical Assistance. This position exists to coordinate the building and maintaining of cooperative working relationships by DNR Cooperative Forest Management (CFM) staff and programs with partners to support the implementation of LSPs through local forestry teams (LFTs). This position will coordinate the identifying and prioritizing of landscape and watershed-based forest resource issues and concerns by partners; developing and refining measurable projects that implement goals in the LSPs, water resource plans, and climate mitigation plans and policies; coordinate the implementation of grant projects; and assist DNR staff in the administration of federal, tribal, state, local and private grants
Funding and Policy Development. This position exists to coordinate efforts by partners with DNR CFM staff to develop federal, tribal, state, local, and private funding proposals that support the concurrent implementation of LSPs through DNR programs and through relevant water resource, climate mitigation, and related natural resource planning and implementation processes. This position will also assist DNR and partners develop and refine relevant forest conservation policies to support the CFM programs and related partner programs.
Training and Capacity Development. This position will coordinate training and capacity development critical to the enhancing and maintaining the delivery of services to private landowners by public agencies and private organizations through DNR CFM programs.
Accomplishment Reporting / Intergovernmental Coordination. This position will coordinate activities to support leadership engagement and commitment in the implementation and accomplishment reporting of goals in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Private Forest Management between the DNR and BWSR (October 24, 2024).
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of intermediate level professional experience. Experience must include providing community and regional planning, forest managementtheory/practicesanddeliveringtechnicalknowledgetoforest professionals.
A Bachelor's degree in Community and Regional Planning, Forestry, Natural Resources, or closely related field may substitute for one year of experience.
A Master's degree in Community and Regional Planning, Forestry, Natural Resources, or closely related field may substitute for two years of experience.
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.
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.
Ability to coordinate the development and integration of GIS data and mapping to support professional analysis and presentation materials useful to landscape stewardship processes.
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.
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.
Completion of a Leadership Development Program or training.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor or Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning, Forestry, or related field.
Has conducted a Leadership Development training.
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) Cooperative Forest Management; 2) State Land Management; 3) Resource Protection with an emphasis on fire suppression and management; and 4) Forest Resource Information and Analysis.
Additional Requirements
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver's license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.
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. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).
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.
