Job Description

Working Title: Bioeconomy Program Manager
Job Class: State Program Administrator Principal – BioFuels
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted : 07/05/2023
• Closing Date : 07/18/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Division/Unit : Agriculture Marketing & Development Division / Energy and Environment Section
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am – 4:30pm
• Days of Work : Monday – Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $28.96 – $42.67 / hourly; $60,468 – $89,094 / annually
• Job Class Option : BioFuels
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 – Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• FLSA Status : Exempt – Administrative
• Telework Eligible : Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

This position leads bioenergy and bioproducts initiatives and programs at the MDA including the Bioincentive Program and the new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Certification program. This position utilizes both technical and policy expertise to craft policies and programs promoting biofuels, bioproducts, and bioenergy so Minnesota’s bioeconomy continues to be part of the solution for climate change and other environmental and societal challenges. Through program development and administration, this position creates opportunities for adding value to and generating additional economic benefit from agricultural crops and livestock.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing policies and programs to help biofuel production and use in Minnesota grow.
• Developing and implementing policies and programs to promote technological advancement and commercialization of new and innovative biofuels and bioproducts.
• Preparing and disseminating accurate, relevant and compelling information about biofuels and bioproducts to raise the level of public understanding of their benefits, safe and proper use, and reliability.
• Collecting or acquiring, maintaining and analyzing data relevant to the measurement of performance and results of biofuels and bioproducts programs.

This position is located in St. Paul and may have the ability to telework up to fulltime.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Three years of professional experience working in areas of energy, climate, or environmental policy or program administration.
• Degree in a related field may substitute for experience as follows: Master’s degree for 18 months of experience; Bachelor’s degree for one year of experience; Associate degree for six months of experience.
• Proficiency in use of word-processing and spreadsheet software.
• Strong demonstrated writing ability.
• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to handle complex and changing circumstances and modify work tasks and priorities accordingly.
• Ability to build rapport and work collaboratively with agencies, stakeholders, organizations, legislative staff, and others, and when necessary, work towards consensus or compromise.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework in biofuels or bioproducts, renewable energy, or climate policy.
• Professional experience working in areas of biofuels or bioproducts.
• 3 years of experience in governmental policymaking, policy analysis, or agency rulemaking
• Demonstrated experience in public speaking.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation or consensus-building.
• Demonstrated experience in use of data and statistical methods.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

About Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day.

Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.

Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Protecting our food supply;
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Cultivating our agricultural economy.

Why Work for Us

This position is located within the MDA’s Ag Marketing and Development Division (AMDD). AMDD is a dynamic work environment staffed by professionals working on a variety of important topics and issues including biofuels, organics, local foods, domestic and international marketing, livestock development, beginning farmers, value-added processing and more.

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

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.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Megan Lennon at megan.lennon@state.mn.us.

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 Becky Hierlinger at becky.hierlinger@state.mn.us.

Job Categories: Climate Change. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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