Acquisition and Development Specialist - NR Specialist Senior Parks & Trails

• Education Verification
• License / Certification Verification

Regional Acquisition and Development Specialist

• Job
• Location:
  
  Grand Rapids
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes, Up to 40%
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 8/5/2026
• Closing Date: 8/25/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit:
  Parks and Trails
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  Yes, up to 15%
• Salary Range: $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,139 - $91,225 / annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit: 214
  - Minnesota Associate of Professional Employees/Mape
• FLSA Status:
  Non-Exempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
  Yes

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 Department of Natural Resources is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Natural Resources Specialist Senior located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Days and hours of work are 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

This position exists to provide lead professional assistance and expertise to support the Parks and Trails Northeast Assistant Region Manager and division staff coordinating acquisition and development activities. The position will also support the northeast region OHV Specialist that provides direct support to the division on the management of off-highway vehicle recreation efforts. This includes the management and strategic coordination of acquisition and development activities including monitoring conservation easements, entering, maintaining, and processing Land Records System transactions, division and Lands and Minerals acquisition, divestiture and tax forfeit review requests, road vacations, easements, license reviews, trespass, legislative boundary bill requests and other divisional activities.

• Oversee and coordinate the northeast region division real estate responsibilities and land acquisition and development to maintain regional databases, inform land transactions processes and prioritization needs, manage real estate transactions, and help fulfill acquisition and development work plans, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Provide staff support to land management activities in the region and areas to take advantage of acquisition opportunities through tax forfeit and road vacations, and to avoid and resolve trespass, encroachments and illegal use of division administered lands.
• Assist the Assistant Regional Manager and Supervisors with work plans and budget management for operation and maintenance, in collaboration with other programs and disciplines, so work plans, and program goals are fulfilled.
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the PAT Regional Manager, so that DNR and PAT program goals and objectives are advanced.

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.

Associates degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks/Recreation, Business, Communications, or closely related field, and TWO YEARS of para-professional or professional experience which includes: creating work plans and/or preparing reports; providing lead work direction to staff; administering and/or supporting work that includes outdoor recreation and/or natural resources management programs, facilities or projects; administrative experience with budget and process management.

A Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in natural or cultural resource management, parks and recreation, natural science, communications, education, public relations, business management, political science, public administration, social science or closely related field may substitute for one year of the experience listed above.

• Knowledge of outdoor recreation facilities and programs.
• Conflict resolution skills sufficient to resolve issues with individuals and groups.
• Communications skills sufficient to give clear instructions and provide appropriate responses to individuals and groups.
• Writing skills sufficient to develop and finalize work plans, reports, presentations and/or proposals using appropriate business language.
• Ability to use and understand computer and communication equipment sufficient to carry out administrative tasks and complete work effectively. This includes word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Ability to navigate natural terrain, board vehicles and watercraft…