Working Title: License Center Director
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Director
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
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Job ID: 94171
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Location: St. Paul
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Telework Eligible: Yes, hybrid
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Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
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Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
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Date Posted: 05/20/2026
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Closing Date: 06/02/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
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Division/Unit: Fish and Wildlife
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Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
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Days of Work: Monday - Friday
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Travel Required: Yes, occasionally
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Salary Range: $38.16 - $54.97 / hourly; $79,678 - $114,777 / annually
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Job Class Option: DNR Licensing
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Classified Status: Classified
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Bargaining Unit/Union: 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
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FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
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Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
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 Department of Natural Resources is seeking to fill one (1) full-time License Center Director position in St. Paul, MN.
The License Center Director position exists to provide statewide leadership and strategic direction for Minnesota’s electronic licensing and recreational registration programs that support hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation activities. The position ensures effective administration, modernization, and continuous improvement of licensing operations, including electronic licensing systems, commercial licensing platforms, controlled hunt applications, recreational vehicle registration and titling, and the issuance of game and fish licenses and permits. The role is responsible for ensuring accessible, accurate, secure, and customer-focused service delivery through both digital platforms and statewide licensing agents.
This position exists to ensure licensing programs operate in compliance with state statutes, administrative rules, and conservation objectives while supporting sustainable wildlife management and outdoor recreation opportunities. The incumbent provides statewide oversight, operational leadership, and policy guidance to licensing agents, deputy registrars, agency leadership, and external stakeholders. The position collaborates with information technology, enforcement, legal, and program divisions to implement system enhancements, improve operational performance, safeguard licensing data, and respond to evolving business and legislative requirements. In addition, the position serves as a primary agency representative on licensing-related legislative, policy, and stakeholder matters and promotes innovation, accountability, equity, and public trust in the delivery of licensing services throughout the state.
Responsibilities include:
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Oversee the administration of the statewide licensing and registration systems for outdoor recreation and resource management. This includes administering the issuance of game and fish licenses, commercial permits, controlled hunt applications and tags, as well as recreational vehicle registrations and titles. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, maintain data integrity across platforms, coordinate with internal departments and external vendors, and provide responsive service to the public and partner agencies. This role plays a critical part in supporting conservation funding, public access, and regulatory enforcement.
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Supervise and manage the human resource functions of the License Center to ensure appropriate staffing, training, performance management, and employee engagement that support efficient, customer-focused operations.
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Represent the State’s Game and Fish Licensing and Recreational Vehicle and Titling programs at governmental meetings, interagency forums, and stakeholder engagements to ensure accurate, timely, and clear communication of licensing, registration, and titling policies, procedures, and program information to government officials, agency partners, and customers.
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Develop, implement, and manage financial systems and processes for the State’s licensing programs to ensure compliance with state and federal budget, audit, and reporting requirements. Oversee the collection, deposit, and distribution of fees, direct financial operations within the Electronic Licensing System (ELS), and provide guidance, training, and documentation to staff and system users on financial policies, procedures, and responsibilities.
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Provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the agency’s ELS data assets are protected and managed in compliance with all applicable state and federal privacy laws, cybersecurity standards, and internal policies. Oversee staff, processes, agents, and vendor relationships involved in handling sensitive information. Establish a culture of accountability for data stewardship, manage risk, and ensure consistent implementation of data governance and privacy practices across all program areas.
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Provide oversight and coordination of state and federal contracts, interagency agreements, and amendments supporting licensing and registration operations to ensure compliance with state procurement laws, fiscal controls, and program requirements while maintaining effective partnerships with state agencies and vendors.
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Develop, implement, and oversee an employee safety plan for the License Center/Service Desk environment to ensure a safe, secure, and healthy workplace for all staff. Ensure compliance with state safety regulations, agency policies, and occupational health standards, and foster a culture of safety awareness and proactive risk management.
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Coordinate and oversee operational, compliance, and strategic activities supporting statewide licensing operations, ensuring continuity of service, regulatory consistency, audit readiness, interagency coordination, and effective representation of the agency while serving as operational support and backup to the Administrative Section Manager.
This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete an annual telework agreement.
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Four (4) years of professional level experience in licensing operations, customer service operations, business operations, program administration, call center management, or electronic transaction systems management.
- Two (2) years supervisory or lead work experience to professional staff in planning and coordinating resource management for a multi-discipline environment. Experience must include working knowledge of human resources policy and procedures, understanding of labor contracts sufficient to interview and select staff affirmatively, assignment of work, scheduling, and performance management.
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Demonstrated experience administering or supporting complex electronic systems, databases, or transactional platforms.
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Knowledge of operational practices related to licensing, permitting, registration, or public-facing service delivery programs.
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Experience developing, implementing, or improving business processes, operational procedures, or customer service standards.
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Ability to analyze operational issues, interpret policies and procedures and recommend solutions.
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Experience working with financial transactions, reconciliation processes, reporting, or compliance requirements.
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Strong communication skills sufficient to communicate with staff, vendors, stakeholders, agents, and the public.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
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Human relations and coaching skills to motivate, provide guidance and training, resolve conflict in a positive manner, generate public support, and achieve cooperation with clients, peers, public, and staff.
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Ability to establish goals and objectives that equitably empower employees, diverse community groups, stakeholders, and the public.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and reporting tools, including knowledge of databases, spreadsheets and word processing.
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Bachelor's or advanced-level Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, Communications, Natural Resource Administration, or related field.
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Experience working with electronic licensing systems (ELS), point-of-sale systems, e-commerce platforms, or government transaction systems.
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Experience overseeing a customer contact center or high-volume customer service operation.
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Experience managing vendor relationships, service level agreements, contracts, or system implementation activities.
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Five (5) years of progressive administrative and supervisory experience, in a unionized environment and/or within public sector operations.
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Experience developing operational metrics, dashboards, performance measures, or continuous improvement initiatives.
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Leadership competencies:
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Knowledge of governmental budgeting and legislative processes sufficient to consolidate multiple program activities and to propose legislative initiatives to meet current and future program needs.
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Ability to lead organizational change and support staff through operational transitions.
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Experience conducting long range strategic planning with the ability to set long-term and short-term goals and objectives that equitably empower all employees, stakeholders, and the public.
No driving duties are required.
Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
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. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).
It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
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Conflict of Interest Review
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Criminal History Check
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Education Verification
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Employment Reference / Records Check
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License / Certification Verification
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
If you have questions about this position, contact Linda Kelly at [email protected] or 651-259-5238.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at [email protected]. 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 Jordan Krueger at [email protected],
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
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Connection with their coworkers and communities
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Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
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Diabetes care
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Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
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Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
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Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
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Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
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Training, classes, and professional development
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Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
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A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
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Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
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Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and let us know the support you need.
