Policy & Budget Leader, Wildlife & Natural Resources

American Fisheries Society (UK); Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & sick leave

Holidays

Health benefits

Pension plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tax-advantaged accounts

EAP

Professional development

Loan forgiveness eligibility

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks an experienced leader to serve as Assistant Director of Policy and Budget within the Fish and Wildlife Division in St. Paul, MN.

You will guide policy, budgeting, legislative affairs, communications, and organizational priorities as part of the division's leadership team. As acting Division Director when needed, you’ll collaborate across departments, lead strategic planning, and oversee budget changes while ensuring fiscal discipline and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources science such as wildlife management, wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of managerial or advanced supervisory experience directing and supervising wildlife management or natural resource management programs and staff.
• Advanced professional knowledge and experience in natural resources or wildlife management.
• Demonstrated management and leadership skills, including the ability to direct, develop, and engage staff.
• Knowledge of fish and wildlife management, research programs, and wildlife operations.
• Experience with long-range and strategic planning, legislation, operational planning, procedure development, and project leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus building involving diverse groups.
• Strong interpersonal, administrative, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience communicating complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of the legislative process, including experience working with legislators, developing policy or fiscal legislation, participating in legislative strategy, or providing testimony at legislative hearings.
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing complex, multiple-account budgets.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and incorporate diverse perspectives into decisions.

Responsibilities

• Direct, develop, and manage division policies, programs, and priorities as a member of the Division Leadership Team and Division Management Team.
• Lead the coordination and implementation of the division’s legislative functions and serve as a key legislative authority for the division.
• Provide expert guidance on legislative proposals, policy development, fiscal impacts, and strategic priorities.
• Recommend strategic direction and adjustments to the division budget to optimize available funding.
• Oversee the implementation of approved budgetary changes and ensure fiscal considerations are incorporated into salary and non-salary decisions.
• Provide leadership and supervision to direct reports and division staff to support efficient and effective program delivery.
• Represent the division at department meetings, task forces, committees, and other statewide initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with governmental entities, tribal representatives, regulated parties, stakeholders, and other partners.
• Lead critical initiatives assigned by the Division Director, including addressing complex, sensitive, and high-profile issues.
• Oversee strategic planning, communications, marketing, and outreach functions for the division.
• Provide divisional leadership in the absence of the Division Director, as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Policy development

Budget management

Legislative knowledge

Communication

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Stakeholder engagement

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks an experienced leader to serve as Assistant Director of Policy and Budget within the Fish and Wildlife Division in St. Paul, MN.

You will guide policy, budgeting, legislative affairs, communications, and organizational priorities as part of the division's leadership team. As acting Division Director when needed, you’ll collaborate across departments, lead strategic planning, and oversee budget changes while ensuring fiscal discipline and