At the DNR, we are committed to the conservation and management of the state's natural resources for outdoor recreation, economic development, and a sustainable quality of life. Apply with us and find your path.

Working Title: Parks and Trails Associate Lead
Job Class: Customer Service Specialist Intermediate
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 03/23/2023
• Closing Date: 04/12/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Parks and Trails / Itasca State Park
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Rotating Shift
• Days of Work: Varies
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $18.55 - $24.60 / hourly; $38,732 - $51,364 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 206 - Clerical/AFSCME
• Work Area: Itasca State Park
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Telework Eligible: No
• 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.

Established in 1891, Itasca is the oldest state park in Minnesota and one of the first state parks in the country. Home to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, the park is one of the top tourism attractions in the Upper Midwest. Itasca State Park operates 7 days a week with visitors on-site 24 hours a day during peak operations. The Itasca District also administers LaSalle State Recreation Area and six State Forest Campgrounds.

The DNR is currently seeking a Parks and Trails Associate Lead for the Itasca District. This position is responsible for creating a positive visitor experience by providing excellent customer service and supporting a standard of customer service among Parks and Trails Associate staff as a lead worker. This position will give detailed information and assistance to the public and operate the Minnesota State Parks and Trails point-of-sale (POS) and reservation system to sell vehicle permits, nature store merchandise, and manage reservations. Acting as a lead worker for Parks and Trails Associate staff, this position coordinates communication, assigns routine tasks, facilitates training, resolves customer service challenges, and completes other projects as assigned. The position routinely assembles and disseminates day-to-day updates to all Itasca District customer facing staff. Work hours vary, and workdays include evenings, holidays, and weekends.

Responsibilities include:

Minimum Qualifications

• Lead work skills sufficient to manage work through others, coach team members, and correct simple performance issues.
• Knowledge of customer service practices and principles sufficient to identify each customer's needs, meet quality standards for services, and evaluate customer satisfaction.
• Customer service skills sufficient to provide information and assistance to the public and other employees in verbal and written format in a courteous and professional manner.
• Math skills sufficient to conduct sales transactions, provide accurate change to customers, count and reconcile daily revenue receipts and identify revenue discrepancies.
• Knowledge of point-of-sale software sufficient to process merchandise sales.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and can adapt to various situations prioritizing multiple work assignments simultaneously.
• Communication skills in both verbal and written format sufficient to summarize and prioritize messages succinctly.
• Knowledge of safety and accident prevention measures sufficient to identify safety hazards, make necessary repairs, and/or alert appropriate personnel.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills sufficient to work as a productive member of a team.
• Conflict resolution/human relation skills sufficient to negotiate, resolve issues, read situations, and settle disputes equitably by finding common ground and cooperation.

• Two (2) years of retail sales experience.
• Two (2) years of experience working in a complex overnight lodging and camping environment.
• Two (2) years of experience dealing with and finding solutions to visitor concerns and complaints.
• Experience providing training and acting as a lead worker to other staff.
• Experience operating a cash register or POS system.
• Visual merchandising skills sufficient to create effective retail displays to maximize ability to sell merchandise and capture customer interest.
• Knowledge of park rules, policies, facilities, and other local points of interest.
• First Aid and CPR training.

Physical Requirements

Requires frequently moving and transporting objects up to 25 lbs. maximum, such as firewood bundles and file boxes. Requires regularly maintaining a stationary standing or sitting position and occasional stooping, kneeling, and climbing.

Additional Requirements

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. All job offers are contingent upon passing the following components:

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 Heather Funk at heather.funk@state.mn.us or 218-699-7201.

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 Rebecca Mortellaro at rebeccca.mortellaro@state.mn.us.

Why Work for Us

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.