Conservation Program Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $83,824.00 - $105,726.40 Annually
Location : IGH City Hall, MN
Job Type: Full-time Benefited
Job Number: 2025-00092
Department: Community Development
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 05/20/2026
Closing Date: 6/11/2026 4:30 PM Central
Position Description
The Environmental Specialist is responsible for coordinating environmental planning efforts and projects on behalf of the City, including coordinating landfill operations compliance and assisting with commission review of wetland applications. A major responsibility for this position is administering Dakota County Solid Waste Abatement Program for the City, including its recycling efforts and programs; grant administration; public education and outreach activities to promote recycling and sustainability efforts (i.e. purchasing, fleet management, renewable energy, green building and energy efficiency).
Essential Job Functions
Creates and disseminates environmental information to the public by coordinating and/or participating in City-sponsored or community events, and through various City communications channels (i.e. newsletter, Web site, social media, e-news, flyers) and external media platforms, as necessary.
Implements the City's environmental policies and goals specific to the position, including, but not limited to the coordination of events and activities, such as the City's Energy Action Plan and Annual Clean-Up Day, Minnesota GreenStep Cities, Sustainable IGH Community Recognition Awards program, the City's Environmental Collaborative, etc.
Administers the Dakota County Solid Waste Abatement Program:

• Oversees all recycling efforts for the City organization including buildings, parks and events.
• Implements organics and reuse collection initiatives, and food scraps drop-off at City facilities.
• Prepares annual grant applications and funding requests for recycling and sustainability that support City programs, projects and activities.
• Promotes single-family and multi-family residential, schools and business recycling programs to encourage waste stream reduction, diversion and recycling.
• Works with City communications manager to organize public education and outreach programs to promote recycling and solid waste programs (e.g. America recycling Day, Earth Day, etc.).
• Serves as a liaison between the City and other governmental agencies, community groups, citizens and/or committee regarding solid waste planning, policies and issues.
• Reviews City ordinances for compliance with County and State solid waste laws and licenses applications of waste haulers.

Collaborates with department staff to coordinate the development and implementation of sustainability projects (e.g. purchasing, fleet management, renewable energy, green building, energy efficiency improvement), and review and drafting of ordinances in support of this effort.
Maintains energy usage database of City facilities to assess building performance and to identify cost savings opportunities.
Serves as staff liaison to Environmental Advisory Commission; prepares agenda items, meeting packets and minutes, and attends monthly meetings.
Coordinates with State and County agencies to ensure landfills are operating according to regulations and with the resolution of any contaminated sites; supports landfill contract negotiations.
Works with City environmental engineering staff to coordinate wetland applications for wetland replacement projects according with the Wetland Conservation Act project; prepares agenda items and staff reports for review and action by the Environmental Advisory Commission and City Council.
Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required or directed.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, or closely related field of study.
• 2 years of experience performing the same or similar duties, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Driver's License.

Desired Qualifications

• Previous experience performing same or similar duties for a municipality.
• Master's degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies.

Supplemental Information
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of relevant laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances that pertain to wetland conservation, landfill operations, waste management, recycling, and relevant sustainability planning projects.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of grant application and administration requirements; skill at preparing grant funding applications.
• Knowledge of fundamentals, trends and best practices in the areas of environmental management, solid waste, and landfill operations.
• Knowledge of wetland management practices and concepts including knowledge of hydrology, erosion control, plant and soils.
• Knowledge of sustainability planning concepts, principles and approaches.
• Knowledge of City administrative policies and procedures.
• Skill at enforcing, inspecting and monitoring the compliance of existing wetland, solid waste and related ordinances.
• Skill at working with various government agencies and officials, commissions, community groups and the public over conflict and compliance in areas in responsibility.
• Ability to plan, implement and administer environmental, recycling, solid waste, and sustainability programs and services.
• Ability to prepare research, reports and recommendations concerning sustainability, environmental and recycling programs, projects and needs.
• Ability to draft ordinances and present information and recommendations for consideration by the Environmental Advisory Commission and City Council.
• Ability to interpret, apply and enforce various state, federal and local laws, codes, rules and ordinances in review and granting of permits and monitoring of permit compliance.
• Ability to effectively use common business productivity software, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, as well as mapping software and other applications utilized in the preparation of reports.
• Strong organizational, time management and project management skills.
• Customer service and public relation skills in dealing with respectfully and tactfully with consultants, developers, business leaders, members of the public, City personnel and outside agencies.

Work Environment
Work is typically performed under normal office conditions. Occasional exposure to minimal environmental risks or disagreeable conditions, such as during environmental site visits or outdoor events.
Physical Job Requirements
Employee is required occasionally walk and stand; and continuously talk, listen and hear, sit, reach with and use hands/fingers dexterously. Operating/driving motor vehicles. Exerting up to 25 lbs. pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Pay and Benefits
This position is a union position under AFSCME. Full pay scale is shown below. Maximum placement upon hire is step 7 and is based on qualifications and experience.
Benefits include paid time off, insurance, and pension. GradeStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStepStep1234567891016$40.30$41.46$42.62$43.81$44.98$46.16$47.31$48.48$49.65$50.83
The City of Inver Grove Heights offers a competitive benefit package including but not limited to Health Insurance, Flexible Compensation (cafeteria plan for use toward employee premiums with excess (if any) paid to employee), Vacation Leave, Personal Leave (or Sick Leave for Police Officers), Holiday pay, Life insurance, Long-term Disability Insurance, Minnesota Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Retirement benefits, and Employee Assistance Programs. Optional Dental, Vision, Short-term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Deferred Compensation Plans also offered. Part-time benefit contributions are prorated, and all union benefits levels are subject to negotiated contracts.
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01
Select the specific field of study for your Bachelor's Degree (or higher) related to this position and its qualifications, or indicate your highest level of post-secondary education.

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Environmental / Public Health
• Resource/Waste Management
• Sustainability
• Other related environmental degree (please identify)
• Other degree (please identify)
• Associate's degree
• No degree

02
If you entered "other" to the question above, please identify the degree type here.
03
How many years of experience do you have doing the same or similar work?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

04
Which of the following best describes your years of professional experience planning, coordinating, and implementing environmental programs?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

05
Which of the following best describes your years of professional work experience in education and outreach for programs and initiatives, such as Energy Action Plans, Community Clean-Up Days, GreenStep Cities, and community recognition programs?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

06
Which of the following best describes your years of professional experience in education and outreach for solid waste abatement programs and initiatives?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

07
Which of the following best describes your years of professional experience writing staff reports, preparing agendas and giving presentations to advisory commissions or public/elected officials?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• More than 3 years

08
Check all that apply regarding work you have performed in a professional capacity

• Administer and coordinate volunteer programs
• Develop and manage contracts, invoices & budgets
• Develop materials and/or facilitate environmental education
• Coordinate activities with various professional parties / project partners
• Gather, analyze, and interpret data
• Write proposals, grants, or reports
• None of the above

09
Briefly describe projects involving community and stakeholder engagement, your role in those projects, and the forms of communications you used to inform and engage the public
10
Briefly describe grant funding you have applied for and secured, and for what projects, programs, or initiatives did that funding support.
Required Question