At the DNR, we are committed to the conservation and management of the state's natural resources for outdoor recreation, economic development, and a sustainable quality of life. Apply with us and find your path.

Working Title: Lands Strategic Planner
Job Class: Planning Director State
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/11/2024
• Closing Date: 05/01/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Lands and Minerals
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, occasionally
• Salary Range: $35.13 - $52.25 / hourly; $73,351 - $109,098 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

Job Summary

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking to fill one (1) Lands Strategic Planner position. This position initiates, plans and executes real estate-related strategic policy, planning and continuous improvement efforts that are complex, interdisciplinary, and/or interagency, with a special emphasis on school trust land policy and management. It also provides planning support to key interdisciplinary teams made up of department staff and leadership to integrate a department-wide strategic approach to Department of Natural Resources' land asset management and policy efforts.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting public lands related strategic planning, policy and continuous improvement projects and decision making.
• Serving as the department’s coordinator for school trust land related projects and activities.
• Managing public lands-related interdisciplinary teams and planning projects and supporting interdisciplinary leadership teams and work teams.

The selected candidate will have the option to report to one of the following locations: Saint Paul, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, or New Ulm, MN. The specific location will be agreed upon at time of selection.
This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a full-time or part-time basis which is subject to change. Some in-state travel, particularly to DNR’s central office, may be required depending on business needs. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration/policy, urban and regional planning, natural resources management, or business administration and at least three years of experience leading policy, planning, strategic projects and/ or continuous improvement projects to meet project objectives OR
  • Associate’s degree with at least five years’ experience leading policy, planning, strategic projects and/ or continuous improvement projects to meet project objectives.
• Demonstrated experience using project management tools, strategic planning frameworks and continuous improvement methodologies to successfully lead and complete projects.
• Project management skills sufficient to independently manage multiple projects at various stages of completion at one time
• Communication skills sufficient to develop and adapt communications as necessary to engage specific audiences in planning activities and relate well to DNR staff and leadership, external partners and stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Skills in group process, meeting preparation and meeting facilitation for diverse audiences that include internal professional and technical staff, senior agency leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience successfully facilitating teams and/or groups that may have diverse and/or conflicting objectives to manage through conflict and develop mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Proficiency in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, Teams, sufficient to complete spreadsheets, write and generate reports and facilitate online meetings and group processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters’ degree in public administration, public policy, urban and regional planning, natural resources management, business administration, or related field.
• Bachelors’ degree in the relevant fields listed above plus five years of professional experience in natural resources or environmental policy/program administration, public or non-profit program administration, planning, project management, or policy development.
  • OR Associates’ degree in the relevant fields listed above plus seven years of professional experience in natural resources or environmental policy/program administration, public or non-profit program administration, planning, project management, or policy development.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations and policy which impact the state’s public land portfolio and natural resources.
• Knowledge of the factors that affect the real estate industry, both public and private
• Advanced training and/or certification in Six Sigma continuous improvement methods

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

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Cheryl Kelley-Dobie at cheryl.kelley-dobie@state.mn.us or 218-308-2627.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Jordan Krueger at jordan.krueger@state.mn.us.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations 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 and indicate what assistance is needed.