Working Title: Area Wildlife Supervisor

Job Class: Natural Resources Area Supervisor - Wildlife

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 04/17/2024

• Closing Date : 05/07/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : DNR Fish and Wildlife / Region 3

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes; Occasional overnights for duties and training

• Salary Range: $32.16 - $46.56 / hourly; $67,150 - $97,217 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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.

This position is being filled simultaneously with job IDs 75825 (Baudette, MN), 75821 (Roseau, MN), and 75391 (Forest Lake, MN). Applicants must submit a complete application to each job posting ID to be considered for that location.

The DNR Section of Wildlife is currently seeking a self-motivated, adaptable, and dedicated leader to fill the Area Wildlife Supervisor position at the Rochester Work Area. This full-time position will direct, supervise, and manage wildlife management activities within the six-county work area of Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties including 49 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) with a variety of habitat types. The incumbent will be directly involved in leading partnerships with other DNR Divisions, county and other local government units, sportsmen’s groups, conservation partners, and the recreating public. There are endless opportunities for this wildlife supervisor to impact habitat improvement and lead a highly functioning staff of Natural Resource professionals; to preserve, protect, and manage wildlife habitats on public and private lands; promote the enjoyment of wildlife resources by the public; and foster an understanding and appreciation for wildlife and the habitats they utilize through focused educational efforts.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform supervisory and administrative functions so employees are supported, utilized, and developed; ensure assigned work is completed efficiently, and management objectives are consistent with regional and division objectives.

• Provide technical assistance to private landowners so that wildlife values on private lands can be enhanced and preserved and recreational opportunities enhanced.

• Plan and implement wildlife management and development activities on WMAs so that wildlife resource on these lands and waters will be managed or enhanced using ecosystem-based management concepts and department guidelines.

• Assess and monitor the needs and status of wildlife so that essential population information is available when implementing programs relating to the restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement of wild birds and wild animals.

• Coordinates and collaborates with Division of Fish and Wildlife programs and activities so that wildlife and associated resources can be enhanced.

• Foster collaboration and coordination in response to statewide wildlife disease and depredation issues within the local work area.

• Lead the promotion of partnerships, outreach with citizens, organizations, other DNR disciplines, and media in order to foster understanding, appreciation, and support for natural public lands and sound resource management.

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 a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location on a weekly basis for meetings, training, onboarding, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife or equivalent field with wildlife emphasis.

• Four (4) years of professional level experience with increasing responsibility in the areas of wildlife management, ecology, or closely related field sufficient to develop, administer, and support wildlife management.

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills to direct, develop, and engage staff, work to resolve conflict, motivate people, train others and work as a productive member of teams.

• Demonstrated ability to treat employees inclusively in the areas of accommodation, scheduling, expectations, individualized resource needs, training, and development.

• Experience successfully setting work priorities, managing a large and multifaceted workload, carrying multiple projects through to completion, and evaluating accomplishments.

• Communication skills sufficient to effectively communicate and present complex information to a wide variety of audiences.

• Experience successfully resolving multifaceted conflicts involving internal and external constituents with the ability to uphold the culture of respect.

• Working knowledge of policies guiding human resource, state regulations, and fiscal management including managing complex budgets and projects with fund integrity.

• Working knowledge of native grassland, forest, brushland, and wetland ecology, and respective management techniques.

• Knowledge of hunting and trapping traditions, methods, and the ability to comprehend laws, rules, policies, and procedures.

• Experience with computers including, communication, database manipulation, word processing, Global Information Systems (GIS), sufficient to create, modify, and manipulate documents and or data.

• Experience using and implementing prescribed fire as a management tool.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in negotiation, conflict management, and consensus building with diverse groups. Includes critical thinking skills to analyze and resolve ambiguous and/or controversial situations, make difficult decisions, and persuade others of the merits of a position or proposal that supports/advocates for the mission of the division/department and build consensus among varied and sometimes conflicting opinions.

• Knowledge of land acquisition procedures and Minnesota state laws.

• On-the-ground experience leading and planning prescribed burns as a MNRXB2 Minnesota Burn Boss Type 2 or NWCG RXB2 Burn Boss.

• Two (2) years' experience as a supervisor of (full-time, unlimited) professional employees, where duties include hiring, employee development, performance management, etc.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations guiding hunting and management of wildlife populations and lands.

• Experience resolving conflicts with specific wildlife-related stakeholder groups, including but not limited to hunters, farmers, local government representatives, etc.

• Experience in other natural resources disciplines (i.e., forestry, fisheries, recreation management, etc.).

• Experience developing and successfully implementing budgets and operational plans.

• Strong leadership, personnel management, and organizational skills and experience.

• Experience planning and implementing habitat restoration and management projects including seeking appropriate funding, project planning and design, implementation, and monitoring.

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

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.