Job Details Working Title: Grants Specialist Job Class: Grants Specialist 3 Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources - Job ID: 98211
- 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: 11/09/2026
- Closing Date: 12/02/2026
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
- Division/Unit: Fish & Wildlife / F&W Admin Federal Grants
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: Occasional
- Salary Range: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
- FLSA Status: Nonexempt
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes
Job Summary The DNR is seeking to hire one (1) Grants Specialist 3 at our central office in Saint Paul, MN.
This position administers and coordinates MN DNR's Fish and Wildlife Division's federal and non-federal incoming grants, except for the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grants. Individual grants and program responsibilities vary with funding availability. Current grant programs include Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, National Wildlife Federation grants, Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service grants and US Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program grants. The grants managed by this position support division priorities and provide essential funding. Working with division staff, this position identifies funding opportunities, develops proposals, and ensures ongoing compliance with grant requirements. Administration includes financial tracking, contract and subaward review, reporting and regulatory compliance. This position serves as the primary point of contact with granting agencies. It also assists the Administrative Services Section Manager with special projects as needed.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Serve as the division's primary contact for incoming grant opportunities. Communicate grant opportunities to statewide staff and other partners. Coordinate and prepare incoming grant applications to meet administrative, fiscal and programmatic needs. Coordinate support of partner-led grant applications.
- Coordinate with DNR staff and partners throughout the state to implement, manage, and monitor statewide incoming grants, as well as related subgrants and subcontracts. Ensure that administrative and programmatic requirements are met in a timely manner.
- Coordinate the fiscal administration of statewide incoming grants to ensure fiscal compliance and timely reimbursement. This includes support for subcontracts and subgrants.
- Identify and implement effective methods for communicating essential grant information to FAW staff, other divisions and external partners.
- Provide statewide consultation on FAW grant programs to ensure programs remain compliant with federal law, state law, grantor requirements, and department and division policies. Assist in the resolution of operational issues.
- Support the Administrative Services Section Manager with special projects related to budget management, cost accounting, and financial reporting.
This position may be eligible to telework up to 50% of the time, which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position may require you to report to the central office location, for meetings, trainings, onboarding or as needed by supervisor. Travel may be required for occasional overnight meetings or site visits, typically 1-5 trips per year.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications - Three (3) years of professional experience administering or coordinating a publicly funded grant program or coordinating incoming grants. Prior experience must demonstrate the ability to evaluate grant applications for applicability, develop grant proposals, evaluate performance against grant objectives, analyze grant fiscal performance, and assess grant compliance with federal laws, state statutes and departmental policies.
- A bachelor's degree in grant administration, business administration, public policy administration, natural resources, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- Knowledge of grants procedures and techniques and the applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations sufficient to administer an incoming grants program.
- Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to establish strong working relationships with agency leadership, agency staff, grant partners and contractors; explain complex requirements in plain language, provide technical assistance to individual grant managers, and respond effectively to questions.
- Analytical and critical-thinking skills sufficient to interpret and apply statutes, policies, contracts, procedures, and other requirements; analyze financial and programmatic information; identify issues and alternative solutions; and make sound recommendations.
- Organizational and problem-solving skills sufficient to handle multiple assignments, work within tight deadlines, maintain accurate documentation, adapt to changing priorities, and resolve issues.
- Computer skills sufficient to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, communication and related business applications to maintain records, analyze information, and prepare professional work products. Computer skills sufficient to manage grants in multiple grant management platforms.
Preferred Qualifications - A bachelor's degree or master's degree in grant administration, business administration, public policy administration, natural resources or a related field.
- Experience with natural resource management including fish or wildlife management, and/or habitat management including vegetation ecology and the biology of exotic invasive species.
- Experience with the functions, programs, operations, structure and interrelationships of a major statewide natural resource management organization.
- Experience identifying and implementing improvements to administrative processes, guidance, forms, workflows, or customer service.
- Experience with community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, local governments, Tribal Nations and Tribal governments or other organizations/entities with differing levels of experience navigating government programs.
Additional Requirements There are no required driving duties.
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
Application Details How to Apply Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
Contact If you have questions about this position, contact Heather Kieweg at heather.kieweg@state.mn.us or 651-259-5214 .
Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations to assist with the application process should contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us .
Per M.S. 43A.111, Department of Natural Resources may appoint qualified disabled Veterans to classified positions on a noncompetitive basis if eligibility requirements are met. To be considered, you must be included on a US Armed Forces permanent disability list with a disability rating of at least 30% or been rated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of at least 30%. Official written documentation of this disability dated no more than one year preceding the date of application must be submitted. Please email the documentation, and the job posting ID number to Tava Cayo at tava.cayo@state.mn.us . Documentation must be received by the posting closing date to be considered.
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Tava Cayo at tava.cayo@state.mn.us .
Benefits As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include: - Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
- Diabetes care
- Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
- Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
- Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
Support to help you reach your career goals: - Training, classes, and professional development
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support: - A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
- Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
- Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.
