Easement Program Analyst

Job Class: State Program Administrator Principal
Agency: Board of Water & Soil Resources

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 02/17/2023
• Closing Date: 03/09/2023
• Hiring Agency: Board of Water & Soil Resources 
• Division/Unit:  Program and Policy Development/Easements
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: Yes
• Salary Range: $28.96 – $42.67 / hourly; $60,468 – $89,094 / annually
• Job Class Option: Water & Soil Resources
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• Work Locations: St Paul, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, St Cloud, or Rochester
• Supervisor: Sharon Doucette 
• FLSA Status: Exempt – Professional
• Hybrid work 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.

This position provides easement program support, leadership and expertise for all aspects of data management, fund management, database development, as well as management and coordination between Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) staff.  The incumbent provides administrative and technical expertise and serves as a subject matter expert for BWSR Conservation Easement programs.

Position responsibilities include:

• participating in program analysis and administration including recommending, developing, and implementing policies and procedures, computer based statistical analysis, development of easement program payment rates, ensuring funding source integrity and accountability, and approval of program related expenditures;
• formulating Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF), ENRTF and Clean Water Fund proposals, and providing fiscal data for completing accomplishment plans and status reports;
• administering the acquisition and project management of multiple easement types and initiatives, including providing guidance, training and technical assistance to clientele, executing land acquisition transactions, and programmatic/funding analysis and reporting; and
• coordinating the RIM administrative portion of the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB), working with partners including the federal government and LGUs.

Minimum Qualifications

The posting is being used to fill one (1) position in one of the following locations: St. Paul, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, St Cloud, or Rochester.  Location is negotiable upon hire.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Public Finance, Business, Natural Resources, Conservation or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of advanced professional experience providing fiscal management that includes budget planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and analysis or 2 years of easement/natural resource program experience, including budgeting.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing principles, principles and practices of public administration/management, and an understanding of state laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to financial services.
• Strong analytical skills sufficient to analyze complex issues, identify solutions along with advantages and disadvantages of options and make sound recommendations that are in the agency’s best interest.
• Oral and written communications skills that include the ability to explain technical matters to staff and officials of local government units and the public.
• Ability to maintain self-motivation and work independently.
• Negotiation, mediation, and interpersonal management skills to resolve personnel and interagency conflict.
• Human relations, coaching, collaborative, persuasion, and team building skills sufficient to effectively work with diverse interests, gain cooperation for new approaches, resolve complex program problems with internal and external partners to accomplish common conservation objectives.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to motivate and guide self and other staff to work effectively with stakeholders through the application of a wide range of organizational, procedural, technical, analytical and interpersonal skills and ability to operate independently as well as in a team environment to prioritize work and achieve agreed upon milestones and deliverables.
• Project management skills sufficient to manage many concurrent activities, coordinate, and organize the work of others, identify critical paths, perform project risk assessments, and identify, define, sequence, prioritize, schedule, and assign resources.
• Proficient in the use of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel including utilizing technologies in virtual meetings.
• Requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver’s license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Accounting, Public Finance, Business, Natural Resources, Conservation or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of State budgeting policies, procedures and accounting processes including use of the Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT) system and associated reporting tools.
• Previous experience in developing, monitoring, and revising complex budgets.
• Previous experience working in a land conservation program.
• Experience working for and with local units of government.
• Procedural understanding of easement programs administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

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.

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 & Soil Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. All job offers are contingent upon passing the following components:

• Employment Reference Check
• SEMA4 Records Check
• Criminal History Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Education/License Verification

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of the MN careers 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 Sharon Doucette at sharon.doucette@state.mn.us or 651-539-2567.

If you are a Connect 700 applicant, please submit your certificate to Patricia Sweep at patricia.sweep@state.mn.us by the job posting close.     

Why Work for Us

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

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.