Regional Plant Ecologist - NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs

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* Working Title:

Regional Plant Ecologist*
* ** Job Class:
Natural Resources Specialist Senior - Ecological Services*
* ** Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources*
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** Job ** : 95674

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** Location** :
Bemidji

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** Telework Eligible** :
Yes, up to 50%

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** Full/Part Time** :
Full-Time

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** Regular/Temporary** :
Unlimited

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** Who May Apply** :
Open to all qualified job seekers

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** Date Posted** : 08/01/2026

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** Closing Date** : 08/21/2026

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** Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** :
Department of Natural Resources

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** Division/Unit** :
Ecological and Water Resources

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** Work Shift/Work Hours** :
Day Shift

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** Days of Work** :
Monday - Friday

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** Travel Required** :
Yes, regularly within the region, occasional travel outside of region

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** Salary Range:**  $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,138 - $91,224 / annually

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** Job Class Option** :
Plant Ecologist

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** Classified Status** :
Classified

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** Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE

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** FLSA Status** :
Exempt - Professional

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./connect
700/) :
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 Division of Ecological and Water Resources is seeking to hire one (1) permanent full-time Regional Plant Ecologist located in Bemidji, Minnesota. This position exists to support conservation, environmental review, regulatory decision-making, restoration, and land management to promote Minnesota's ecological communities and native plants with an emphasis on rare communities and species, and to support sustainable ecological diversity, function, and resilience across the landscape within the Northwest Region.

This position will focus on prairies, savannas, calcareous fens, and open peatland ecological systems.

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* Responsibilities include:

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* + Provide leadership, coordination and technical guidance to integrate ecological information into land management and stewardship on public and private lands to support sustainable ecological diversity, function, and resilience across the landscape.

+ Plan, implement, and evaluate training and outreach activities so that the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management is understood and integrated into resource planning and management activities.

+ Collect, compile, submit, and analyze data on plants (including rare plant species) and ecological communities, so that scientific knowledge is available to support resource protection, restoration, conservation, and management decisions.

+ Conduct administrative responsibilities according to state standards so that activities are in compliance with department and state policies.

+ Maintain current knowledge in the fields of ecology, ecosystem management, restoration, and land use planning so that scientifically rigorous approaches are used in conserving native plants and plant communities, and ecological and technical skills are continuously improved.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. This position will require reporting to the primary work location as needed for meetings, training, onboarding, and field work, among other activities. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

** Minimum Qualifications*
* + A Bachelor of Science degree in plant ecology, landscape ecology, botany, conservation biology, natural resource management, or closely related field with an emphasis in ecology.

+ Three (3) years of professional-level experience coordinating and integrating conservation of rare species, biodiversity, and ecological approaches into sustainable management of prairie, savanna, and wetland communities.
** An advanced degree in a related field may substitute for one year of experience*
* + Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS or similar software, to perform spatial analyses and create map products, along with proficiency in standard computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and relational databases.

+ Experience conducting ecological fieldwork, including vegetation sampling and the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data related to plant taxonomy, community ecology, and landscape ecology.

+ Communication skills sufficient to communicate and present technical and non-technical ecological information through reports, presentations, training, and outreach to diverse audiences, including land managers, agency staff, stakeholders,…