Description

The Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department (EED) is accepting applications for three Acting Supervising Environmentalists who will be responsible for supervising staff engaged in natural resources protection and improvements in Environmental Protection's Land and Water Unit (LWU). The persons selected for these acting positions will have a broad understanding of business operations and extensive knowledge of and experience in the implementation of the LWU’s natural resource programming. The acting positions will report to the LWU administrative manager and supervise natural resources staff with multiple areas of technical expertise. The acting positions will work with the LWU administrative manager and staff to implement the natural resources and forestry strategic plans, unify approaches and improve coordination across natural resource program areas, and strengthen partnerships. The successful candidates will be excellent planners, arrangers, and communicators, and excited about the challenge of working collaboratively to create a more unified and strategic approach to all the county’s natural resource programming.

These positions are hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department, 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, with typical hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While these positions are designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

New employees who are hired into remote or hybrid positions between January 2, 2022, to December 31, 2024, will receive $500 toward the cost of establishing consistent internet connectivity, payable after the new employee successfully completes probation.

About these position types:
These are full-time, benefit earning positions.
You must be a current regular or probationary employee of the Environment and Energy department to apply for these positions.
These positions are internally classified as a Supervising Environmentalist.
Click here to view the job classification specification.

These are acting (temporary) assignments lasting up to 18 months. Acting assignments are voluntary, temporary work assignments that provide an opportunity to participate in a learning experience and skill development while continuing to provide excellent service delivery. Acting assignments are filled by employees moving within the same department but carrying out the duties of a different job class. Employees typically return to their original job class at the conclusion of their acting assignment.

In this position, you will:

• Directly supervise the work of 4-5 full time natural resources staff (some of whom may oversee seasonal or limited duration staff), including hiring, training, completing job performance reviews, managing performance, and directing day-to-day activities.
• Coordinate closely with the LWU administrative manager, other acting supervisors, and staff to implement and advance the vision for a LWU that works more closely together across various program areas to improve service and advance LWU and department-wide shared goals.
• Coordinate closely with the LWU administrative manager, other acting supervisors, and staff to unify approaches to common activities including planning, budgeting, resource management, metrics development, data collection, reporting, evaluation, and outreach & engagement.
• Develop plans and goals for work areas that lack these basic foundational standards to clarify roles and better integrate work with other natural resource program areas.
• Develop plans, goals, and standard operating procedures for assigned program areas and work with LWU administrative manager, other acting supervisors, and staff to report outcomes across all natural resource program areas.
• Work with staff and the Workplace Safety Office to ensure safe work practices and appropriate equipment amid varying environments.
• Oversee and coordinate interactions with key partners and funders like the Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, University of Minnesota, Three Rivers Park District, cities, watersheds, and others; track external funding opportunities and direct staff in preparation of funding applications.
• Support continuous improvement and routine evaluation efforts, identifying strategies to reduce disparities, develop and implement climate action strategies, improve equity and inclusion in natural resource programming, and improve efficiency and processes.
• Represent Hennepin County in meetings with businesses, cities, metro county counterparts, state, and federal agency staff.
• Monitor state and federal policy, rule-making, and legislative changes, evaluating the potential impact of these changes on the work of the LWU and natural resource goals.
• Direct and participate in strategic and work planning including tracking progress on the new NR strategic plan and relevant climate action goals.
• Develop and track budgets, oversee purchasing and contracting and advocate for resources to support the work of the LWU within department and county budget guidelines and policy.

Need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in physical or natural sciences, environmental health, industrial hygiene, public health, engineering, public administration, business administration or a closely related field and four or more years of experience in environmental, LWU, or environmental health related programs.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit and access to reliable transportation for meetings that may be held at locations that are not served by public transportation.

Nice to have:

• Experience:
  • Building programs or processes in collaboration with others.
  • Planning or directing the work of staff or project teams.
  • Aligning goals, resources, processes, or program operations across multiple teams of people or work areas.
  • Providing excellent customer service and verbal and written communication skills; comfortable interacting with partners and customers with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of understanding of natural resource sciences, programming, and associated rules and regulations.
• Broad knowledge of the LWU’s natural resource program areas and detailed technical knowledge in at least one program area.
• Commitment to the vision for a more collaborative LWU and a desire to work collaboratively with LWU administrative manager, other acting supervisors, and staff to achieve that vision.
• Ability to provide input, consensus-building, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to equity and justice in the implementation of natural resource programming.
• Ability to think strategically about the operation of the Unit and its resource needs across all natural resource program areas.

About the department:
Hennepin County's Environment and Energy department mission is to preserve and enhance Hennepin County's environment for future generations through the responsible management of wastes and natural resources and the promotion of environmental stewardship.

About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align to one or more of our overarching goals - that Hennepin County residents are healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process, and mobile.

Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.
Final candidates will be required to complete a background check.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Brooke Haaf
Brooke.Haaf@hennepin.us

hcpromo

Why work here?

Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed – not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't – including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.

Employee Benefits Summary

Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.

If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) .