Environmental Services Specialist

Salary : $53,697.00 - $80,545.00 Annually
Location : Land Services Building, 322 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Land Services
Division: Environmental
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/1/2026 4:30 PM Central

Position Objective

This position is open to BOTH In Training or Non In Training applicants for consideration.

The Environmental Services Specialist in Training is an entry-level professional/technical position with accountability for the administration of a broad range of land use programs and regulations. The training assignment provides the opportunity to acquire professional certification and build expertise in a developmental role that is subject to regular review and oversight. Eligibility for progression to the Environmental Specialist position occurs when there is demonstrated mastery of the key accountabilities, sustained satisfactory performance of one or more years and attainment of minimum qualifications as outlined in the job description.

The position is highly engaged with property owners, special interest groups, townships and other stakeholders on matters related to land use planning and regulation. The following program areas are representative of accountabilities that may be assigned to an Environmental Specialist in Training.

Program accountabilities associated with environmental protection include administration of the county land use ordinance by reviewing land use permits, conducting property inspections, and providing information and assistance to citizens, property owners, septic installers, contractors, and other stakeholders regarding land use regulations, sewage treatment systems, and other environmentally related programs. In addition, the position is responsible for providing technical expertise for water protection including administration of the Wetland Conservation Act, the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan, and the annual Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan.

The incumbent will serve as professional staff support to the Environmental Services Manager, Land Services Director, County Administrator, and County Board. The position works collaboratively with other various county staff, external committees, organizations, and community members to facilitate efficient implementation of land use, natural resource, and public land management policies and to educate citizens and stakeholders on procedures and policies to achieve the vision and goals of the County's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Forest Resources Plan, Water Plan, and Comprehensive Recreation Trails Plan.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Land Use Permitting: Participates with others in conducting inspections of properties within the county for all regulated land use activities including site visits in support of the County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. In conjunction with site visits and consultation with applicants as appropriate, participates in the approval or denying of land use applications submitted to the county pursuant to the county's prescribed regulatory authority.
  
  Assists in resolving land use complaints through direct communication with complainant, inspection of the property, and communication with the involved property owner.
• Water & Wetland Protection: Participates with others in making technical findings and recommendations on questions of wetland functions and the resulting public values, location, size, and type for replacement plans, exemptions, no-loss, wetland boundary or type determinations, and sequencing requests. Review replacement plans, exemptions, no-loss, wetland banking, wetland boundary / type proposals, and recommend either approval, approval with conditions, or denial.
  
  Provide technical guidance regarding the Wetland Conservation Act to the general public. Assess water resources and identify needs and strategies for addressing those needs through the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan. Develop and implement the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan annually. Provide technical assistance to citizens, developers, and contractors in erosion/sediment control techniques and storm water best…