Salary : $99,510.00 - $139,200.00 Annually
Location : Willmar, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Environmental Services
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 4:30 PM Central

Description

The Environmental Services Director is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the Environmental Services Department. This position plans, develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates departmental programs related to land use, planning and zoning, solid waste, water resources, wetlands, environmental health, and other environmental services. The Director oversees departmental operations, develops long-range strategies, administers budgets and grants, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, serves as the County Solid Waste Officer, and represents Kandiyohi County on environmental matters with governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Job Duties

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for the Environmental Services Department through long-range planning, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Oversees daily departmental operations, staffing, budgeting, and resource management.
• Develops systems and processes that support efficient delivery of environmental services while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and County policies.
• Prepares, administers, and monitors departmental budgets, grants, contracts, and funding opportunities.
• Identifies environmental and environmental health issues and develops policies, programs, and recommendations to address County needs.
• Develops, reviews, updates, and administers County ordinances, policies, and procedures related to land use, planning and zoning, solid waste, wetlands, water resources, environmental health, and related programs.
• Coordinates development and implementation of County and State-required environmental plans and plan updates.
• Serves as the County Solid Waste Officer.
• Plans, directs, and evaluates the work of boards, committees, commissions, and advisory groups related to environmental services.
• Represents the County before local, regional, state, and federal agencies, community organizations, professional associations, and the public.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for the County on environmental and environmental health issues.
• Provides leadership, supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for department staff.
• Participates in hiring, employee development, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.
• Promotes a collaborative, professional, and respectful work environment while supporting employee growth and development.
• Attends meetings, conferences, public hearings, and training as required, including occasional evening meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and government or environmental services experience;
• Or a Master's degree in a related field with experience in government or environmental services;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job;
• Government or environmental services experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid Minnesota Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge

• Federal, state, and local government organization and operations.
• Environmental laws, regulations, and regulatory processes.
• Planning and zoning principles.
• Wetland Conservation Act requirements.
• Solid waste management principles and regulatory compliance.
• Environmental review processes.
• Budget development and financial management.
• Grant administration and contract management.
• Personnel supervision and performance management.
• Public administration and organizational leadership.
• Policy development and implementation.

Skills

• Strategic planning and organizational leadership.
• Budget development and fiscal management.
• Policy analysis and program administration.
• Supervising, coaching, and developing employees.
• Developing collaborative relationships with elected officials, agencies, and community partners.
• Managing multiple priorities and complex projects.
• Exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making.
• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and recommendations.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing, including presenting technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Using computers and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
• Occasional travel to field sites, meetings, conferences, and other off-site locations.
• Occasional attendance at evening meetings.
• Ability to operate a computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Ability to read electronic and printed documents.
• Ability to drive in varying weather and road conditions.
• Ability to perform occasional standing, walking, reaching, bending, and repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to lift and carry files, equipment, or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Regular working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility required based on departmental or County needs.

Kandiyohi County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, PERA retirement, 457(b) deferred compensation plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick/ESST leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
01

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental management, public administration, planning, natural resources, engineering, or a closely related field (or a Master's degree in a related field), or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have working in environmental services, planning and zoning, land use, solid waste, water resources, environmental health, or a closely related field?

• 10+ years of experience
• 7 - 10 years of experience
• 4 - 6 years of experience
• 1 - 3 years of experience
• No experience

03

How many years of supervisory or management experience do you have leading employees, including performance management, coaching, budgeting, and departmental operations?

• 10+ years of experience
• 7 - 10 years of experience
• 4 - 6 years of experience
• 1 - 3 years of experience
• No experience

04

How much experience do you have interpreting and applying federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, ordinances, or policies?

• 10+ years of experience
• 7 - 10 years of experience
• 4 - 6 years of experience
• 1 - 3 years of experience
• No experience

05

Do you have experience preparing, administering, or managing grants and/or contracts?

• Yes, 5+ years experience
• Yes, 3+ to 5 years experience
• Yes, 1 to 3 years experience
• Yes, under 1 year experience
• No experience

06

If you answered "Yes" to being a Veteran, please indicate whether you would like to claim Veteran's Preference Points:

• Yes - I am a qualified veteran who served during a qualifying wartime period.
• Yes - I am a disabled veteran with a 10% or higher disability rating.
• Yes - I am the spouse of a deceased veteran or the spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to work due to their disability.
• No - I do not wish to claim Veteran's Preference Points.

07

If you selected "Yes" to the question above, please upload a copy of your DD214 as an attachment to this application. By initialing below, you confirm that you have uploaded this document.
Required Question