Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist - Spec Int Eco Svcs

Position: Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist - NR Spec Int Eco Svcs
** Working Title**  **:*
* ** Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist*
* ** Job Class:  Int Eco Svcs*
* ** Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources*
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** Job :
** 97729

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* Location:

** Duluth French River Office

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** Telework Eligible** :
Yes

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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:
** 10/16/2026

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** Closing Date:
** 11/5/2026

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

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** Division/Unit:
** Fish and Wildlife

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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, up to 50%

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** Salary Range:**  $26.89 - $39.22 / hourly; $56,146 - $81,891 / annually

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** Classified Status:
** Classified

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** Bargaining Unit:
** 214- MN Assoc of Professional Empl/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 DNR is currently seeking (1) Conservation Easement Monitoring Specialist in our Duluth French River Office. This position conducts and coordinates conservation easement monitoring and reporting for the MNDNR Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Primary duties include conducting baseline and monitoring surveys on conservation easements, communicating with landowners, preparing reports, and coordinating report approvals. Monitoring visits are conducted to evaluate compliance with easement terms and to assess ecological condition, including but not limited to identifying invasive species, assessing need for riparian vegetation management, erosion control, and stream channel or bank stabilization.

Assessment data are analyzed to develop management guidance for habitat enhancement or restoration.

Responsibilities Include:

+ Monitor conservation easements held by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, including planning and scheduling baseline reporting and monitoring, preparing maps, and conducting field visits to ensure compliance with conservation easements.

+ Analyze ecological data to prioritize parcels for acquisition and coordinate with FAW land acquisition unit to acquire new conservation easements.

+ Attend meetings of stewardship and enforcement working groups; providing input to increase efficiency and consistency and maintain/improve landowner relations.

+ Conduct habitat assessments on easements during routine inspections. Communicating relevant information to Area office so that it can inform management guidance for habitat improvement projects.

+ Assess management issues within easement corridors, including identification of invasive species, needs for vegetation management, and needs related to stream geomorphology, channel stability, stream bank erosion, and connectivity.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.

** Minimum Qualifications*
* A Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, or closely related field

** And;*
* Two years' professional level experience sufficient to coordinate and monitor fish or wildlife population surveys, public land stewardship surveys, make habitat management recommendations, and identify sensitive land parcels for acquisition

Experience in GIS and mapping

Ability to identify invasive aquatic and terrestrial plant species

Communication skills sufficient to share technical and non-technical information to a variety of audiences

Computer skills sufficient to prepare reports, correspondence, and complete data entry

Conflict management skills sufficient to resolve controversial situations

Ability to safely work in remote areas in adverse weather and environmental conditions

** Preferred Qualifications*
* An advanced degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, or closely related field

Experience with the Conservation Easement Monitoring System Database

Knowledge of Real Estate transactions and the…