Temporary Unclassified Electronic Licensing System Business Product Owner - Product Management Director

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: Temporary Unclassified Electronic Licensing System Business Product Owner
Job Class: Product Management Director
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 93826
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Limited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 05/01/2026
• Closing Date: 05/21/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Occasionally
• Salary Range: $45.71 - $65.66 / hourly; $95,442 - $137,098 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Managerial
• Anticipated Start Date: 05/07/2026
• End Date: 05/07/2028
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 Department of Natural Resources is seeking to fill one (1) Electronic Licensing System (ELS) Business Product Owner position within the Division of Fish and Wildlife. It is anticipated that this position will start in May 2026 and will end in May 2028.

The ELS Business Product Owner is accountable for the development execution, updating and maintenance of business objectives for the Electronic Licensing System (ELS) at the Department of Natural Resources. ELS supports critical functions such as hunting and fishing license sales, recreational vehicle license registration and titling, hunter and recreational safety training, and law enforcement activities. This role includes working with multiple divisions within the agency, MNIT, and contract partners to define the continued vision and strategy for ELS and work closely with field teams, key customers, and strategic partners to identify and pursue opportunities that align with business goals. The Product Owner will develop and maintain multi-year roadmaps and product backlog items that support the strategic direction of ELS, ensuring alignment with the DNR’s mission and promoting growth in digital recreation services within a secure and modern technology environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Direct, manage, and own the product vision and strategy for the Electronic Licensing System, including development and execution of a multi-year strategic roadmap. Ensure alignment with statutory requirements, business objectives, and stakeholder expectations, while maintaining strict adherence to data privacy, security, and regulatory standards.  Lead and assemble cross-functional collaboration and decision-making to guide product evolution, balancing competing priorities and ensuring transparency across all stakeholder groups.
• Identify internal and external stakeholders, people and groups who engage with or benefit from the Electronic Licensing System, document and consider their needs in the product roadmap of priorities and communicate with them throughout product development. Serve as the voice of the product and liaison between business and development teams. Ensure that stakeholder feedback is managed within the strategic roadmap. 
• Drive planning, requirements, and the development of the strategic roadmap and the accompanying product backlog. Define and maintain the prioritized list of work (product backlog) for the cross-functional product development team and work with the development team and vendor to prioritize the schedule for new or enhanced product functionality. 
• Based on needs from business (ENF, FAW- fisheries, wildlife, admin or license center) implement configuration changes within ELS to achieve the outcomes necessary for the system, once vendor has delivered a live system to the state.
• Lead product research with other states when needed and measure and report on product status. 
• Collaborate with the business training staff to ensure timely and effective training is available for new and existing staff. Ensure new releases/development/configuration is appropriately communicated and develop a related training plan.

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. 

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, or a closely related field. 
• Experience leading or supervising staff, programs, or work teams, with the ability to motivate others, guide operations, and foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-focused service delivery. 
• Four (4) years of experience in strategic planning and execution, including developing operational plans, managing multiple priorities and deadlines, translating program requirements into actionable plans, and balancing long-range initiatives with short-term operational demands. 
• In-depth knowledge of product management principles, including product visioning, roadmap development, backlog management, and product lifecycle management, combined with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, solve complex problems, and use metrics to inform decisions and drive outcomes. 
• Strong technical and systems expertise, including knowledge of business process analysis, system configuration, software architecture, data systems, integrations, and proficiency with COTS systems and business applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, JIRA). 
• Experience working with data privacy, security standards, and applicable regulations (e.g., HIPAA, COPPA, or similar frameworks). 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, technical teams, and customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or Management Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field.
• Experience with Agile methodologies sufficient to lead cross-functionals teams, manage product backlogs, facilitate sprint planning, and drive iterative development processes that algin with business goals and customer needs.
• Certification in Product Management or Business Analysis (i.e. Agile/Scrum product management, Product Manager certificate, CBAP, PMI_PBA etc.)
• Experience mapping current and future processes, identifying gaps, and developing practical plans that improve efficiency and support organizational goals.
• Experience in assessments of stakeholder satisfaction sufficient to guide and adjust program delivery with continuous improvement mindset.
• Knowledge of user experience (UX) principles and design thinking sufficient to collaborate effectively with design and development teams, create user-centered solutions, and ensure the delivery of intuitive and engaging product experiences that meet user needs and business objectives.
• Knowledge of outdoor recreational users sufficient to understand their needs, behaviors, and preferences, enabling the development of targeted programs, products, or services that enhance their outdoor experience and align with industry trends.

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