The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is the state of Minnesota’s soil and water conservation agency. BWSR works with partners to prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; improve soil health and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens.

Working Title: Easement Acquisition Specialist
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Intermediate
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

• Job ID: 58493

• Location: Various

• Full/Part Time: Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

• Hiring Agency Unit: Board Water & Soil Resources

• Division/Unit: Easement Programs Unit

• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

• Days of Work: Monday - Friday

• Travel Required: No

• Salary Range: $22.94 - $33.30/hourly; $47,898 - $69,530/annually

• Classified Status: Classified

• Employment Condition: Full Time Unlimited

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

• Work Location: Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, Rochester, St. Paul, Waite Park (St Cloud)

• Supervisor: Lucy Dahl

• FLSA Status: Nonexempt

• Hybrid Eligible: Yes

• Connect 700 Program Eligible: Yes

• THIS POSTING WILL BE USED TO FILL UP TO TWO (2) POSITIONS

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.

Job Summary

The position provides technical expertise for BWSR’s conservation easement programs. The incumbent assists in the easement acquisition process through review of ownership and legal descriptions for easement lands; identifying title problems and mediating solutions; and development of documents required for easement acquisition including legal descriptions and maps using GIS software.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in conservation, geography, business administration or closely related field AND two (2) years of experience in real estate transactions or GIS; OR three (3) years of experience in real estate transactions and/or GIS.
• Experience mapping with ArcGIS or similar program.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to interact in a professional manner and work with all parties interested in conservation easement programs; including landowners, SWCD staff and real estate/title attorneys.
• Communication skills sufficient to communicate program statutes, rules and policies to all parties.
• Ability to work in a team environment and maintain a positive working environment.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing program requirements, financial resources and administrative changes.
• Ability to read and comprehend program related material (statute, rule, easement documents, title documents, legal interpretations on land transactions, etc.) in order to interpret and apply them to individual circumstances or situations.
• Ability to provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of easement program statute, rule, policy and data to evaluate, provide program effectiveness assessment, understand program compliance and recommend program administrative changes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience examining property titles, deeds, abstracts and other real estate related documents.
• Experience preparing maps and legal descriptions and related functions.
• Ability to advise and inform clientele on programs, eligibility requirements, processes, criteria for access to programs, and other pertinent information regarding BWSR easement activities.
• Knowledge of BWSR easements program including program compliance to inform interested participants, conservation partners, title insurance agents, lenders and other parties.

Physical Requirements

Requires 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 or may involve sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

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 this page and submit an application/resume that clearly describes how you meet the qualifications listed above. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/career.

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

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Lucy Dahl at lucy.dahl@state.mn.us or 651/358-8676.

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.