Grants Specialist - Grants Specialist Senior

Job Class:
Grants Specialist Senior

• Job
• Location:
  
  St. Paul;
  Bemidji
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes;
  Hybrid
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply:
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 03/03/2026
• Closing Date: 03/30/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit:
  Operations Services / Community Grants Team
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  Day Shift
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  No
• Salary Range: $30.23 - $44.48 / hourly; $63,120 - $92,874 / annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• FLSA Status:
  Non-exempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities:
  Yes

Working Title:

Grants Specialist

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

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.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Community Grants Program
—a high‑visibility, high‑impact initiative designed to expand access to funding and support community‑based natural resource projects across Minnesota. We are building a mission‑driven team to stand up and lead this program from the ground up. If you are energized by designing systems, collaborating across sectors, and ensuring public funds are managed with excellence and integrity, this is a unique opportunity to help shape a new statewide program at its inception.

The Community Grants team partners with the Community Grants Advisory Council, agency leadership, legislators, grantees, and communities statewide to design and administer Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluate and award grants, monitor compliance and performance, and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.

The DNR is seeking to fill two (2) permanent Grant Specialist Senior positions within the Office of Management and Budget Services (OMBS) at our central office in Saint Paul, MN and our office in Bemidji, MN. Three complementary Team Coordinator positions on the same Community Grants team are also open; candidates interested in lead‑level responsibilities focused on RFP design, monitoring, compliance, and program coordination are encouraged to review that posting as well.

(Job )

This position supports the effective administration of the ENRTF Community Grants Program by managing core grant processes, providing technical assistance, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. The incumbent plays a key role in supporting applicants and grantees from proposal through closeout, maintaining accurate records, processing reimbursements, and contributing to transparent and accountable program operations. The role also supports lead team members in RFP development, evaluation, monitoring, and compliance activities while providing flexible, proactive support to ensure smooth program launch and implementation.

This position may be eligible to telework on a part‑time basis, which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location at least 50% of the time.

• Perform core aspects of grant administration, including proposal evaluation, grantee communication, payment processing, compliance monitoring, records management, policy adherence, audit support, and grant closeout.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to applicants and grantees to ensure clarity of requirements and successful project implementation.
• Support continuous improvement of program systems, documentation, and workflows.
• Provide flexible, proactive support to the grants team to ensure smooth operations and timely progress on evolving program priorities.

• Two (2) years of professional experience administering grant programs, overseeing…