Natural Resources Senior Strategic Advisor

Senior Strategic Advisor, Exempt
Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $11,933.00 – $13,916.00 Monthly
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $11,933.00 – $14,650.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 7/2/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Legal Advisor to the Commissioner and senior leaders

• Provide and communicate accurate and thoughtful legal advice to the Commissioner and senior leaders through briefing memos, meetings, and presentations.
• Research pertinent legal issues; monitor/interpret relevant state, federal, and local laws and regulations.
• Coordinate, prepare, and review the Commissioner’s Orders.
• Provide ethics guidance and/or training to the Executive Leadership Team.
• Prepare the agency’s legal response to emergency and crisis situations.
• Developing and leading the agency’s legal strategy to promote and protect the agency’s interests.
• Overseeing the delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish agency goals, strategies, and priorities.
• Maintaining proper agency interactions with the relevant local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislatures, and the community at large.
• Advising the Commissioner of Public Lands, Chief of Staff, and other senior agency executives and officers on a variety of issues.
• Providing counsel regarding legal issues that arise in the day-to-day operation of the agency.

Strategic Policy Advisor

• Research, analyze, and brief senior leadership on complex policy issues that require a strategic 360-degree perspective.
• Review draft legislation to identify/resolve legal issues and ensure consistency with the Commissioner’s priorities.
• Partner with other team members on policy development and addressing related legal issues.
• Review and draft policies and procedures.
• Participating in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management team.
• Developing and leading internal agency compliance programs.

Liaison to the Attorney General’s Office and other outside counsel 

• Interface with AAGs and other outside counsel; serve as the primary point of contact with the Attorney General’s Office.
• Oversee agency litigation and settlement negotiations, provide direction to AAGs and other outside counsel on legal strategy.
• Review and approve all state agency requests for AAG opinions.

Required Qualifications: 
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  It is important that you clearly communicate in your Application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 5+ years of experience practicing law.
• Demonstrated experience in a similar position in federal, state, or regional government.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal and strategic policy advice to executive leaders on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and present legal opinions and/or policy advice via briefing memos, presentations, or meetings.
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research, as well as legal documentation procedures and requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
• Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations that impact agency policy and operations.

Required Competencies: 

• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and follow requests.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and the ability to take complex ideas and communicate them effectively both internally and externally.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to track, inform, and coordinate the work of attorneys and legal professionals.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment and work in partnership with colleagues.
• Active listening skills, as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, receive and convey ideas, thoughts, and information.
• Ability to manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as coordinate, facilitate, and manage the work of ad hoc teams formed from cross-agency resources.