Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Working Title: Energy Review Planner

Job Class: Planner Senior State

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 77998

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 6/28/2024

• Closing Date : 7/18/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Ecological & Water Resources

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $26.64 - $39.06 / hourly; $55,624 - $81,557 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

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

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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.

This position exists to fulfill the responsibilities of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for energy review interaction, coordination and influencing environmental review conducted by other governmental units, primarily the Department of Commerce/Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The position also fulfills the responsibilities of the DNR under the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by managing the coordination, development, and preparation of environmental review documents.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Work with central, regional, and field office managers and staff to ensure DNR issues, concerns and mission are addressed in project review, design and permitting. Serve as first contact for statewide, single-to-multi-issue renewable energy projects that have more immediate reconciliation, such as solar, wind and simple/routine hydropower projects. Serve as second contact for non-routine, multi-issue, possibly multi-state renewable energy projects thatmay involve controversy, greater public concern and liability, such as pipeline, transmission line, and complex hydropower projects.

• Conduct and manage complete environmental review of EIS and EAW projects for which the DNR is responsible so that the rules and requirements of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Minnesota Rules are fully met.

• Collaborate with environmental review managers and staff from DNR and other state agencies to ensure understanding, cooperation and minimize interagency conflicts regarding energy project environmental review.

• Advise, inform, and support Division Management or the Commissioner's Office to ensure they are informed of issues as necessary and that their decisions comply with MEPA, MERA and rules promulgated thereunder.

This position may be eligible to telework on a full or part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, natural resources management, political science, or related field.

• 2 years of professional experience in natural resources program administration, environmental impact analysis, or related field.

• Knowledge of relevant sciences applicable to formal energy environmental review, laws, procedures, policies, and social and political pressures.

• Human relations skills sufficient to motivate, guide, train and build consensus with clients, peers, and staff.

• Excellent writing and communication skills sufficient to generate and translate highly technical information for a variety of audiences.

• Proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public administration, business, natural resources management, political science, or related field.

• A detailed understanding of the major steps and milestones of the environmental review processes that occur in Minnesota, especially those related to energy projects.

• Knowledge of environmental review laws, natural resource regulations, rules, and general regulatory processes in Minnesota as they apply to land use planning and control, and federal, state, and local regulatory authorities especially those related to energy development projects.

• Knowledge of renewable energy project practices; including wind, solar, transmission line, pipeline and hydropower; and/or energy project impact analysis.

• Project management skills sufficient to identify risks, critical paths, and resources and coordinate the work of others across multiple simultaneous operations.

• Skills in meeting and group facilitation (virtual and in-person), conflict resolution, effective listening, and negotiation with diverse stakeholder groups.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. All job offers are contingent upon passing the following components:

• Employment Reference Check

• SEMA4 Records Check

• Criminal History Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Education/license verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.