Our Ability Jobs

Working Title: Board Conservationist

Job Class: State Program Administrator Principal

Agency: Water & Soil Resources Board

• Job ID : 76359

• Location: Options include either two in Mankato or one in Mankato and another in Rochester.

• Hybrid work Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 05/01/2024

• Closing Date : 05/22/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Board of Water & Soil Resources/ MAPE

• Division/Unit : BWSR HR / Southern Region

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes Est. 25%

• 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

• Re-Posting : Yes

• Supervisor: Ed Lenz

• 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 is responsible for interagency coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Health (MDH), and other Local, State, and Federal agencies necessary for the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to carry out its statutory responsibilities under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 103 A, B, C, D, E, and the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. This position:

Provides technical and leadership assistance and implementation guidance to BWSR staff, soil and water conservation districts, watershed management organizations, cities, joint powers boards and watershed districts, and counties involved in preparing and implementing water quality and quantity restoration and protection plans, including Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plans.

Provides fiscal oversight, technical training, administrative guidance, and planning assistance to local units of government involved in implementing local comprehensive water and land management programs.

The principal clientele of this position are the board members and employees of the grantees for which the BWSR has statutory responsibilities or provides funding. This includes task forces and committees that prepare and advise on BWSR approved and locally adopted plans and implementation activities. Secondary clientele includes the associations that represent grantees, regional development commissions, regional staff of the Executive Branch water agencies, University of Minnesota, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Great Lakes Commission. Additional clientele includes public, non-profit, and private interest groups, and members of the general public.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in hydrology, soil science, land use planning, natural resources management, civil or agricultural engineering, agriculture, or closely related technical field.

AND

Two (2) years of professional work experience in soil and water conservation, hydrology, watershed management, water quality practices, land use planning, or closely related technical field.

OR

Two (2) year degree in soil science, land use planning, natural resources management, civil or agricultural engineering, agriculture, or closely related technical field.

AND

Five (5) years of professional level experience in soil science, water conservation, land use planning, natural resources management with knowledge of structures, organizational procedures, and inter-organizational dynamics of local, regional, state, and federal government and their boards, commissions, agencies, and affiliated associations.

• Oral and written communications skills that include the ability to explain technical matters to the staff and officials of local government units and the general public.

• Ability to maintain self-motivation and work independently.

• Negotiation, mediation, and interpersonal management skills to resolve personnel and interagency conflict.

• Proficient in the use of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel including utilizing technologies in virtual meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in hydrology, soil science, land use planning, natural resources management, civil or agricultural engineering, agriculture, or closely related technical field.

• Six (6) years of professional work experience in soil and water conservation, hydrology, watershed management, water quality practices, land use planning, or closely related technical field.

• Experience working for and with local units of government.

• Procedural understanding of the grant programs administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, including the role of watershed districts and soil and water conservation districts.

• Leadership role in local government water program management.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small tools. 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. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License with a clear driving record.

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

• Driver’s License DMV check

• Employment Reference Check

• SEMA4 Records Check

• Criminal History Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Education/License 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.