Watershed Specialist - Spec Sr Eco Svcs

Position: Watershed Specialist - NR Spec Sr Eco Svcs
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* Working Title:

Watershed Specialist*
* ** Job Class:
Natural Resources Specialist Senior - Ecological Services*
* ** Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources*
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** Job ** : 97678

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** Location** :
St. Paul

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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** : 10/21/2026

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** Closing Date** : 11/12/2026

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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, required for field visits and training, with some overnights

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

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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 Watershed Specialist located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Watershed Specialist applies principles of river ecology to watershed assessments in the Central Region following the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Intensive Watershed Monitoring schedule. The Watershed Specialist uses the five-component framework of a healthy watershed (i.e. hydrology, biology, connectivity, water quality, and geomorphology) to assess watersheds in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Central Region. Data collected by the Watershed Specialist will help deliver strategies and alternatives as part of an interagency effort to protect and restore watershed health.

The Watershed Specialist will serve to provide advanced technical assistance to regional staff involved in the overall Clean Water Legacy effort and deliver data to the MPCA to help with Stressor Identification. The Watershed Specialist provides technical assistance on implementation projects affecting the dimension, pattern or profile of regional streams and rivers. This position is an integral part of a larger effort to systematically and effectively collect, disseminate and convey advanced scientific information on a watershed basis within a comprehensive framework.

** Responsibilities include** :

+ Design, conduct and evaluate Watershed Assessment of River Stability and Sediment Supply (WARSSS) studies and other research investigations as necessary, to provide advanced technical information and assistance to regional and local teams to address water quality impairments and facilitate effective DNR input so that comprehensive, ecologically-based studies assessing lake and river pollution in the region are developed.

+ Enhance personal knowledge of the watershed-based science that supports healthy aquatic ecosystems and help educate DNR staff and other partner organizations about that science so that internal and external partners are knowledgeable and can actively participate in Clean Water Initiative efforts.

+ Provide advanced technical assistance and planning assistance to internal and external partners, including other Sections and Divisions within the DNR, state agencies, local units of government, non-profit groups and organizations, and other participating technical staff in the development of restoration (i.e. implementation) plans that will achieve needed pollutant reductions and facilitate effective DNR input into these planning efforts so that impaired lakes and rivers in the region are restored to health and achieve water quality standards.

+ In conjunction with the Regional Manager, South District Manager and Clean Water Legacy Specialist, administer the regional DNR Clean Water Field Team so that primary regional issues are addressed in a scientifically sound manner and the DNR plays an active leadership role in the Clean Water Legacy…