Parks and Trails Grants Specialist Supervisor

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Parks and Trails Grants Unit Supervisor in St. Paul.

This role provides leadership for the grants program, supervising a team of six professionals and ensuring compliance, financial management, and program integrity. Responsibilities include coordinating with federal and state partners, managing a statewide grant portfolio often exceeding $55 million, and maintaining strong relationships with grantees and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience in grant administration or compliance.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience with HR policies and performance management.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws governing grant programs.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex data and regulations.
• Strong organizational skills to manage high-profile projects and clients.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office to create reports and analyses.
• Effective communication to build relationships with leadership, agencies, and grantees.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to manage change and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead the Parks and Trails grant staff and ensure accountability.
• Oversee grant operations to maintain compliance and transparency.
• Collaborate with other supervisors to improve efficiency.
• Manage a statewide grant program awarding multi-millions annually (often over $55 million).
• Ensure program integrity and mitigate fraud and noncompliance.
• Balance needs of diverse grantees while safeguarding funds.
• Coordinate with Operations Service Division and National Park Service for alignment.

Skills

Grant administration

Supervisory experience

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Leadership

Budgeting / financial oversight

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, public policy, public administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

GAAP knowledge

Job description

Working Title: Parks and Trails Grants Unit Supervisor

Job Class: Grants Specialist Supervisor

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 95899
• Location : St. Paul
• Telework Eligible : Yes, up to 50%
• Full/Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted :10/12/2026
• Closing Date : 11/02/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit : DNR Parks & Trails Central Office
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $37.28 - $53.97 / hourly; $77,840 - $112,689 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
• 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.

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Parks and Trails Grants Supervisor in St. Paul, Minnesota. The hours and days of work are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm

This position provides leadership and oversight for the Parks and Trails grant programs, ensuring its success through effective management, compliance, and transparency. Serve as the agency's primary representative and coordinator for federal and state grants assigned to this unit while supervising and mentoring the grant team, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and excellence in grant administration. Provide direct supervision and leadership to a team of six professionals responsible for daily grant program execution, compliance oversight, and financial management. Ensure that grant funds are distributed, monitored, and evaluated effectively, while implementing risk mitigation strategies to prevent fraud, financial mismanagement, and noncompliance. Establish technical assistance, reporting, and monitoring frameworks to support grantees, many of whom have limited experience managing state funds.

This position plays a critical role in problem-solving, balancing legislative directives, agency objectives, and operational realities to address complex challenges with financial, legal, and reputational consequences.

Responsibilities include:

• Supervise and lead the Parks and Trails grant staff, fostering collaboration, professionalism, and accountability in grant administration, compliance, and community engagement.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure grants are managed in compliance with state laws and policies, creating and maintaining strong grantee relationships and ensuring program transparency.
• Collaborate with other supervisors to resolve challenges and improve efficiency.
• Lead the creation, execution, and ongoing oversight of a significant statewide grant program that awards, manages, and monitors multi-millions in grants annually (commonly over $55 million).
• Ensure program integrity, transparency, and effectiveness in a high-profile environment subject to legislative and public scrutiny.
• Balance the needs of diverse grantees, including those with limited grant experience, while maintaining safeguards against fraud and ensuring compliance.
• Serve as the Division's lead to Operations Service Division office of grant management and National Park Service, establishing, coordinating and supporting success by fostering productive relationships, facilitating collaboration, and ensuring alignment with program goals and objectives.

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

• Four (4) years of professional experience in grant administration or compliance.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience that includes working knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, understanding of labor contracts sufficient to interview and select staff affirmatively, assignment of work, scheduling, and performance management.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, rules, policies and concepts governing grant programs sufficient to administer statewide grant programs.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills to review complex financial and program data, interpret regulations, identify issues, and develop practical solutions to complex policy and program administration issues.
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills sufficient to balance competing priorities and deliver results across a wide variety of high-profile projects and issues with a variety of internal and external clients.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent software sufficient to create and interpret work products of professional staff, track and analyze reports, create and interpret spreadsheets and financial analyses, and use databases.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills sufficient to supervise, train, and motivate staff, resolve conflicts and manage change while maintaining a positive and accountable work environment.
• Effective communication skills sufficient to convey complex information clearly, ensure program compliance, resolve disputes, recommend solutions, and build strong working relationships with Agency leadership and external stakeholders as well as Agency staff, other state agencies, grantees and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, public policy, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience in a natural resources agency or organization.
• Experience leading or facilitating process improvement initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with state budgeting, legislative, or public policy-making processes at the federal, state, or local level.
• Experience applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and internal control principles such as monitoring, training, and separation of duties.
• Experience with the state’s financial and related systems and fiscal data.
• Experience with community-based organizations and equity in grantmaking within the environmental and natural resources fields.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

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. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification 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 [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.