NR Spec Sr Parks & Trails

Working Title: NR Spec Sr Parks & Trails

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Senior Parks & Trails

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 98038

• Location : Sauk Rapids

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/03/2026

• Closing Date : 11/23/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Parks and Trails Region 3

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, up to 25%

• Salary Range: $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,138 - $91,224 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• 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.

The DNR is seeking to fill one (1) permanent, full-time Parks & Trails Area Specialist at the Sauk Rapids Area office, in Sauk Rapids, MN. Days and hours of work will generally be Monday through Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, and may include evenings, nights and weekends for meetings and travel.

This position exists to provide professional assistance in the planning, management and operations of Area 3A Parks and Trails facilities including state trails, Grant-In-Aid (GIA) snowmobile, ATV, ski, ORV, OHM trails, forest recreation areas and campground, public water accesses, fishing piers, water trails outdoor recreation and natural resources management programs. The work area includes the counties of Benton, Kanabec, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright. This position assists the Area Supervisor with oversight and direction of the Sauk Rapids Area 3A field crew of seven seasonal employees.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide lead worker direction to staff, contractors, and volunteers for assigned programs so that employees perform assigned duties and an efficient and effective operation is achieved.

• Implement development, maintenance, operational, real estate, and rehabilitation programs so that safe, high-quality facilities and programs are available to the public, natural and cultural resources are preserved and protected, and programs/facilities comply with relevant standards and state codes.

• Collaborate on planning, policy development, grant administration, and fiscal management, to accomplish agency and division goals and objectives (e.g., integrated work plans, effective policies and use of funds, financial accountability) in accordance with rules and guidelines.

• Provide staff support for land management activities pertaining to acquisition and development projects so that leases, easements, cooperative agreements, potential trespass, encroachments, and illegal use are identified and resolved.

• Administer resource management programs so that natural communities and cultural resources are restored, protected, or rehabilitated consistent with statewide and regional objectives and requirements.

• Conduct enforcement, emergency, visitor, and public relations services and activities to protect resources, facilities, visitors and staff; promote positive public relations; inform the public and others about division activities and goals; and ensure state, agency, department and division rules are followed.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks/Recreation, Business, Communications, or closely related field, and TWO YEARS of para-professional or professional experience which includes: creating work plans and/or preparing reports; providing lead work direction to staff; administering and/or supporting work that includes outdoor recreation and/or natural resources management programs, facilities or projects; administrative experience with budget and process management.

A Bachelor's or advanced degree in natural or cultural resource management, parks and recreation, natural science, communications, education, public relations, business management, political science, public administration, social science or closely related field may substitute for one year of the experience listed above.

AND

• Knowledge of outdoor recreation facilities and programs.

• Conflict resolution skills sufficient to resolve issues with individuals and groups.

• Communications skills sufficient to give clear instructions and provide appropriate responses to individuals and groups.

• Writing skills sufficient to develop and finalize work plans, reports, presentations and/or proposals using appropriate business language.

• Ability to use and understand computer and communication equipment sufficient to carry out administrative tasks and complete work effectively. This includes word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

• Ability to navigate natural terrain, board vehicles and watercraft (including trucks and large equipment), and endure physical exertion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks/Recreation or closely related degree.

• Experience and skill managing natural areas such as exotic species control, prescribed burning, conducting resource inventories and preparing environmental impact assessments.

• Experience prioritizing work and managing projects with multiple teams.

• Experience in preparing natural resource management plans, using GIS skills to create plan maps, and analyzing data.

• Experience coordinating resource projects.

• Experience directing staff, coordinating volunteers, and working with other agencies.

• Experience communicating with audiences, giving presentations, media interviews, writing articles and publications.

• Experience serving the public, negotiating, resolving conflict and facilitating small and large groups.

• Expert knowledge of Natural Resources outdoor recreation facilities, programs and policies.

• Human relations skills sufficient to establish rapport, motivate, secure commitment and coordinate consensus among staff and non-staff.

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.

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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.