Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grants Specialist

Working Title: Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grants Specialist

Job Class: Grants Specialist

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 81087

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/18/2024

• Closing Date : 11/07/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Fish & Wildlife Central Office / F&W Administrative Services

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Shift

• Days of Work : Monday – Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $25.29 – $36.71 / hourly

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 – MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE

• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

• 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 hire one (1) full-time Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grants Specialist position at our central office in Saint Paul, MN.

This position assists in the administration of the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program funded by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The CPL grant program is a financial assistance program aimed at fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects for long-term benefits to the people of Minnesota. This position helps to support and coordinate a grant delivery system and implements the system in a manner consistent with applicable state and federal laws and recommends program improvements and changes to the Conservation grant program coordinator. Work on this program includes administrative activities and day-to-day engagement with grant program applicants and team members.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist in the day-to-day administration of the program in alignment with the program’s objectives.

• Assist the CPL grants team with compilation, summarization, review, and approval of grant proposals for the CPL grants program.

• Assist with the logistics involved in managing Technical Review Committees (TRC), Division Director and Commissioner Office meetings, as well as the Habitat Team Expedited Conservation Project (ECP) reviews, throughout the year.

• To administer and track grant agreements, review, and approve payments, and close out grants with local outdoor groups. Assist with grantee tracking and data management.

• Assist CPL grant team members in monitoring grant projects, including progress and agreement requirements, as well as monitoring grantee performance and use of funds by grantees.

This position may be eligible to telework, which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position may require you to report to the central office location, for meetings, trainings, onboarding or as needed by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience administering or coordinating a publicly funded grant program. Prior experience must demonstrate the ability to analyze financial data for adherence and conformance to federal laws, state statutes and departmental policies.

• A bachelors degree in grant administration, business administration, public policy administration, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

• Knowledge of grants procedures and techniques and the applicable state laws, rules, and regulations sufficient to administer a grants program.

• Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office or similar programs sufficient to create and interpret work products of advanced professional staff, reports, spreadsheets, financial analyses, databases, and correspondence.

• Communication and human relations skills sufficient to establish strong working relationships with agency leadership, as well as agency staff, other state agencies, grantees, and contractors; work effectively as a team member, and carry out work assignments; delivering information to ensure program compliance with policies and regulations.

• Ability to evaluate information and data sufficient to develop policy and program administration recommendations, identify alternative solutions to complex issues and convey to a diverse audience.

• Ability to read, comprehend, and analyze guidelines, statutes, contract agreements, amendments, and work plans in order to interpret and apply these to individual circumstance or situations.

• Organizational and problem-solving skills sufficient to handle multiple projects, work within tight deadlines, and adapt to changes that arise.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in grant administration, business administration, public policy administration, or a related field.

• Experience with community-based organizations and equity in grantmaking within the environmental and natural resources fields.

• Experience in project management.

• Knowledge of wildlife management and habitat including vegetation ecology, and the biology of exotic invasive species.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal land development regulations and policies such as, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Act of 1991, Flood Plain Management Executive Order 11988, Minnesota Protected Waters regulations, Forestry-Wildlife Coordination Policy, and other federal, state, and local regulations that apply.

Additional Requirements

There are no driving duties required.

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:

1. Conflict of Interest Review

2. Criminal History Check

3. Education Verification

4. Employment Reference / Records Check

5. 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.