NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs- Environmental Assessment Biologist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Senior- Ecological Services

Working Title: Environmental Assessment Biologist

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
  
• Date Posted : 07/15/22
  
• Closing Date : 08/04/22
  
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources
  
• Division/Unit : Ecological and Waters Resources/ Eco Waters R1 ARM Staff
  
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
  
• Days of Work : Monday- Friday
  
• Travel Required : Yes, Intermittent travel in the region and statewide
  
• Salary Range: $26.14 - $38.38/hourly; $54,580 - $80,137/annually
  
• Classified Status : Classified
  
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
  
• Work Location: Bemidji Headquarters
  
• Employment Condition: Full Time, Unlimited
  
• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
  
• Connect 700 Program Eligible: Yes (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/)
  

Passionate about the outdoors and conserving natural resources? At the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ecological and Water Resources (EWR) Division, we work to protect and manage our states natural resources. This position is an important part of that mission and exists to coordinate environmental review actions necessary to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for negative impacts to fish, wildlife and native plant resources resulting from federal, state, local government, or private development projects within northwest Minnesota. The environmental review actions involve analysis, evaluation, special investigation, coordination within and between agencies, and development of project recommendations. Actions taken are under the authority of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and related federal and state laws, regulations, policies, or directives.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Conduct technical review and coordinate review of development projects region-wide, identify effects to natural resources, and provide mitigation recommendations so that adverse impacts to natural resources are avoided, minimized, or compensated in a manner that provides long-term sustainability, consistent with Minnesota laws and policies.
  
• Evaluate for EWR, proposed projects region-wide that require water resource (Chapter 103G), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Section 10/404) or Wetland Conservation Act permit applications and/or DNR advisory reports or letters of permission (103E and 103D), including any necessary coordination of comments received from personnel, so that impacts to fish, and wildlife resources are accurately identified and avoided, minimized and/or compensated.
  
• Provide coordinative services and technical guidance regarding environmental review processes to the Regional Environmental Assessment Team (REAT), and to maintain a repository of project information, including project documents, comment deadlines and draft comments, so that projects are reviewed accurately, openly, and promptly.
  
• Complete administrative tasks necessary to carry our responsibilities according to state standards so that activities are in compliance with department and state policies.
  
• Represent the division and/or department in meetings or on intra- and interagency committees, task forces, etc., involving development interests, conservation/environmental organizations, other MN DNR divisions, local units of government, and state and federal agencies.
  
• Stay current in terrestrial, aquatic and wetland ecology and related fields so that professional competence is maintained and enhanced, and new information, techniques, methods, and equipment are utilized in implementing all responsibilities of the position.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree Ecology, Biology, Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife, Environmental Managment or closely related field with coursework in aquatic/hydrolic sciences, plant plant/biology and ecology.
  
• Three years professional experience designing and implementing (including data management and analysis) biological assessments and habitat management actions benefiting aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems. An advanced degree in a field listed above may substitute one year of experience
  
• Demonstrated competence in the use of geographic information systems (e.g., ArcMap/ArcPro) sufficient to perform spatial analyses and create map products, as well as competence in word processing, and in the use of spreadsheets, and relational databases to enter, manipulate and report data.
  
• Knowledge of terrestrial, wetland and aquatic ecology stressing an understanding of the complex relationships involving wildlife, fisheries, and plant communities, and fisheries and wildlife management.
  
• Human relations and coaching skills to motivate, provide guidance, training and to achieve cooperation and collaboration with clients, peers, and staff.
  
• Facilitation skills sufficient to facilitation medium-sized meetings.
  
• Ability to work and communicate accurately, honestly, and respectfully with diverse communities.
  
• Experience effectively managing and prioritizing a large and multifaceted workload and carrying multiple projects through to completion.
  
• Communication skills sufficient to communicate technical and non-technical information to large or small groups such as land managers, industry representatives, interest groups, government officials, and members of the public and to write convincing and well-documented reports on resource issues.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in ecology, biology, conservation biology, environmental managment, or related field.
  
• Ability to incorporate considerable knowledge and analyze complex resource management issues to determine an appropriate course of action.
  
• Working knowledge of other state and federal resource management agencies, local governmental units, and their respective authority, rules and procedures, programs and responsibilities that pertain to land and water resource management.
  
• Ability to understand development proposals and evaluate potential impacts to animals, plants, and native plant communities.
  
• Basic skills in soil science, limnology, hydrology, silviculture, surveying, chemistry, and/or statistics.
  
• Knowledge and experience working within a regulatory program.
  
• Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental review programs and projects.
  
• Knowledge and experience working with other DNR divisions, federal agencies, county and local governments, developers, and landowners.
  
• Experience integrating basic ecological research and ecological theory with land use planning to promote conservation.
  
• Training and/or experience in negotiation and conflict management.
  

Physical Requirements

Light Work - occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes and heavy hand tools or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. Even though the weights being lifted may only be a negligible amount, a job is in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Drivers License with a clear driving record

It is policy of the Department of Natural 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