Nutrient Management Lead - Job ID 87410

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.

Job Summary

This position exists to lead and provide oversight to the statewide nutrient and manure management activities for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Feedlot Program. It accomplishes this by providing resources and technical expertise to the program’s permitting and compliance/enforcement staff and to county feedlot staff. Responsibilities include providing tools that promote statewide consistency when reviewing land-application records and manure-management plans, delivering nutrient-management training, interpreting University of Minnesota nutrient and manure recommendations for crop production and best-management practices, and collaborating with university researchers, technical experts, as well as environmental, animal-production, and crop-production groups to develop statewide manure-management standards, guidance, and policy.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of advanced professional-level experience conducting environmental protection or pollution control experience in environmental permitting compliance and enforcement or project management. (Advanced professional-level experience is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist/Environmental Specialist 3 level work). Experience must include one year in the area of agronomy, nutrient management, plant and soil sciences and or soil health. 

All candidates must have: 

Understanding of Federal regulations (CFR 40 and Clean Water Act), and State statute, rule and policy requirements related to nutrient and manure management. 

Knowledge of agronomy and nutrient and manure management practices and principles. 

Ability to effectively develop guidance and policy. 

Ability to collaborate and build relationships with university researchers, technical experts, and environmental and animal and crop production groups, and local, state and federal government officials. 

Ability to independently lead and complete projects. 

Technical and plain language writing skills. 

Communication, education, and assistance skills. 

Possess a valid Driver's license (see additional requirements). 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 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.
 

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced knowledge sufficient to understand current agricultural practices and their effects on water quality. 

Comprehensive understanding of animal agriculture, the design, operation and maintenance of a feedlot and land application of manure. 

Knowledge and understanding of activities specific to the MPCA feedlot program. 

A degree in agronomy, nutrient management, soil health, plant, soil science, geology/hydrogeology or other related degree. 

Knowledge sufficient to understand and use Graphic Information System (GIS).

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders and boxes. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of sitting, walking, and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.

Additional Requirements

A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check. Requires a Class D Driver's License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver's license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

About Pollution Control Agency 

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure polluting does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.