This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a full or part-time basis. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is currently seeking a State Trails and Snowmobile Program Consultant.  This position will work cooperatively with the Division of Parks and Trails Leadership Team to set strategic direction and provide guidance and operational support for staff who work with state trails, snowmobile, cross-country ski and horseback riding trails, as well as related Grant-in-Aid (GIA) work. This position provides statewide leadership for state trail and snowmobile programs, policy development, planning, program administration, budgeting, spending plans, work planning, field direction, and support for operations and maintenance, stakeholder outreach, and partnership building.

Responsibilities include:

• Statewide Program Management: Lead, direct, and coordinate statewide trail and snowmobile programs including state trails, snowmobile trails, other non-motorized trail programs (e.g., cross-country ski and horseback riding),and snowmobile and cross-country ski Grant-in-Aid programs.. Lead collaborative efforts to establish statewide program goals, provide helpful operational guidance, and ensure that program goals are met for quality management and statewide consistency.
• Statewide Program Administration: Lead, administer, and coordinate the implementation of state trail and snowmobile programs statewide so that management objectives are met with effectiveness and efficiency. Ensure that programs meet policy requirements, are scientifically based, meet legal requirements, include stakeholder involvement, and are well communicated.
• Statewide Program Budgets and Legislation: Administer, manage, and coordinate the development of legislative requests and spending and work plans. Consult with division leadership in the analysis of financial trends, forecasts, and the fiscal impact of legislation relating to state trails, snowmobile trails, and various non-motorized trail programs. The focus will be largely on the Snowmobile Account, as well as Lottery-in-Lieu funds, the Cross-Country Ski Pass Account, and the Horse Trail Pass Account.
• Statewide Stakeholder Engagement: Manage, lead, and coordinate community relations, stakeholder relationships and partnerships for state trails, snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails, horseback riding trails.
• Professional Development: Actively seek and participate in professional development so that leadership and management skills are maintained and enhanced.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in of Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related field.

 AND

• 3 years of professional level experience including work in natural resources or outdoor recreation management such as operations, planning, outreach, and coordination.

If you meet the above minimum qualifications, please ensure your resume demonstrates the following:

• Experience with trails-related work sufficient to contribute toward being a statewide technical expert for trails.
• Project management skills sufficient to communicate, organize, and manage projects.
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to speak or write to large or small groups, legislative committees; officials of other agencies, private groups, or the public; and to conduct training with division staff or outside groups.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and respond to time-sensitive requests.
• Experience with financial management, including budgeting.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams to accomplish projects and work objectives without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated skills in conflict management and human relations sufficient to deal effectively with staff, management, and stakeholders.
• Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software sufficient to create/prepare reports and presentations, manage databases, and track projects.
• Human relations skills and ability to apply these across all levels throughout an organization and across public and private sector partnerships.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations governing the state trails program to identify and resolve problems, advise staff, determine future program direction and evaluate program work.
• Knowledge of state and national programs, and of key trends impacting trails and outdoor recreation participation.
• Knowledge related to coordinating grant processes or allocating or awarding grants based on established priorities or funding formulas.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Experience with snowmobile riding and recreation.
• Experience in the management of trail-related units and programs.
• Experience coordinating a grant process or allocating or awarding grants based on established priorities or funding formulas.
• Experience working with GIS software.
• Experience working with legislative processes.
• Skills in planning to develop program goals and implement direction.
• Knowledge of DNR Divisions, programs, policies and procedures.