Minnesota / Natural Resources Department

Agency file

Natural Resources Department

Source file: Minnesota — State Employee Payroll / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Natural Resources Department protects natural resources and the environment — conservation, parks and wildlife, and environmental regulation.

In 2025, this agency had 3,514 employees with median total compensation of $66,596; the highest distinct record was $240,971.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $226.7M
Employees: 3,514
Median total: $66,596
Highest record: $240,971

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$13$144,593+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 3,514 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($66,596) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $60,301 (93%)
Overtime — $2,673 (4%)
Other — $1,533 (2%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$7,694

$27,483

$66,596

$95,167

$115,594

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $115,594 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $7,694. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Buildings & Grounds Worker

260 · $17,987

Parks & Trails Associate

198 · $14,362

Nr Specialist 2 Co

150 · $116,115

Laborer Trades & Equipment

90 · $46,497

Office & Administrative Specialist Int

82 · $51,468

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 2 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2024	$201.6M —	3,353 —	$62,927 —
2025	$226.7M ▲ 12.4%	3,514 ▲ 4.8%	$66,596 ▲ 5.8%

Record list

Employees

Page 6

Adam Wallace

Nr Technician/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,518

Sub-department: WL-R1 Res Bemidji Staff
Base pay: $10,863
Overtime: $1,655
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,518
Hire date: 2024-04-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Technical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 207
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Adam Wallace works as a Nr Technician for Natural Resources Department within Wl-R1 Res Bemidji Staff. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service as a full-time employee. Adam earned $12,518 in 2025. They are represented by Technical.

Melanie Carlson

Nr Douglas Lodge Custodial Worker/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,516

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca DL Housekeeping
Base pay: $11,598
Overtime: $840
Other pay: $77
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,516
Hire date: 2023-05-17
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Hubbard

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Melanie Carlson works as a Nr Douglas Lodge Custodial Worker for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Itasca Dl Housekeeping. They have served since 2023 (about 2 years) as a part-time, 0.9 FTE employee. Melanie earned $12,516 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

Meadow Adams

Parks & Trails Associate/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$12,453

Sub-department: PAT-R2 Judge CR Magney Staff
Base pay: $11,542
Overtime: $119
Other pay: $792
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,453
Hire date: 2020-07-31
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 58
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Cook

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Meadow Adams works as a Parks & Trails Associate for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2 Judge Cr Magney Staff. Hired in 2020, they have about 4 years of service as a part-time, 0.9 FTE employee. Meadow earned $12,453 in 2024. Union affiliation: Service.

Elizabeth Beenken

Parks & Trails Associate/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,439

Sub-department: PAT-R2 Bear Head Lake Staff
Base pay: $11,164
Overtime: $478
Other pay: $797
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,439
Hire date: 2024-05-18
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Elizabeth Beenken serves as a Parks & Trails Associate within Pat-R2 Bear Head Lake Staff. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working part-time, 0.9 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $12,439. They are represented by Service.

Molly Aukes

Customer Services Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,424

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca Gift Shops
Base pay: $11,472
Overtime: $952
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,424
Hire date: 2020-08-20
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Hubbard

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Molly Aukes is a Customer Services Specialist at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Itasca Gift Shops. They have served since 2020 (about 5 years), working part-time, 0.9 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $12,424. Their bargaining unit is Clerical.

Ethan Jordan

Nr Fisheries Census Clerk/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,405

Sub-department: Fish-R1 Walker Staff
Base pay: $12,027
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $378
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,405
Hire date: 2024-05-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Cass

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ethan Jordan holds the role of Nr Fisheries Census Clerk at Natural Resources Department within Fish-R1 Walker Staff. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $12,405. They are represented by Clerical.

Taylor Smith

State Program Administrative Intermediate/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,404

Sub-department: OSD MR Region 1 Staff
Base pay: $12,404
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,404
Hire date: 2025-04-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 7
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Taylor Smith serves as a State Program Administrative Intermediate within Osd Mr Region 1 Staff. They have served since 2025 (under a year), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $12,404. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Carissa Sinnott

Office & Administrative Specialist Senior/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,367

Sub-department: OSD MR Region 3 Staff
Base pay: $12,367
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,367
Hire date: 2025-03-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 64
Union / bargaining unit: Clerical
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 206
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Carissa Sinnott is a Office & Administrative Specialist Senior at Natural Resources Department within Osd Mr Region 3 Staff. They have served since 2025 (under a year), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $12,367. Union affiliation: Clerical.

Joseph Smiley Jr

State Program Administrative Principal/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$12,339

Sub-department: OSD HR ES Staffing
Base pay: $5,053
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,286
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,339
Hire date: 1990-07-30
Employment type: Intermittent
Pay grade: 14
Union / bargaining unit: Confidential
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.15
Work county: -

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 217
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Joseph Smiley Jr holds the role of State Program Administrative Principal at Natural Resources Department within Osd HR Es Staffing. Hired in 1990, they have about 34 years of service as a intermittent, 0.15 FTE employee. In 2024, their total compensation was $12,339. They are represented by Confidential.

Henry Robinson

Nr Forestry Specialist/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,333

Sub-department: FOR R1 Warroad Staff
Base pay: $9,509
Overtime: $2,808
Other pay: $16
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,333
Hire date: 2025-04-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Roseau

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Henry Robinson works as a Nr Forestry Specialist for Natural Resources Department within For R1 Warroad Staff. Hired in 2025, they have under a year of service as a full-time employee. Henry earned $12,333 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Collin Mitchell

Nr Specialist Fisheries/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,310

Sub-department: Fish-R3 Sauk Rapids Staff
Base pay: $12,310
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,310
Hire date: 2022-05-16
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 6
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Benton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Collin Mitchell is a Nr Specialist Fisheries at Natural Resources Department within Fish-R3 Sauk Rapids Staff. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $12,310. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Cheyanne Farmer

Parks & Trails Associate/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,298

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Zippel Bay Asst Staff
Base pay: $11,940
Overtime: $265
Other pay: $93
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,298
Hire date: 2024-05-08
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Lake Of Woods

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Cheyanne Farmer works as a Parks & Trails Associate for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Zippel Bay Assistant Staff. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a part-time, 0.9 FTE employee. Cheyanne earned $12,298 in 2025. Union affiliation: Service.

Catherine Fake

Food Service Worker/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,246

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca MG Food
Base pay: $11,078
Overtime: $1,124
Other pay: $45
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,246
Hire date: 2022-05-11
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Hubbard

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Catherine Fake holds the role of Food Service Worker at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Itasca Mg Food. Their tenure dates to 2022, about 3 years as a part-time, 0.9 FTE employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $12,246. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Melinda Debner

Interpret Naturalist 1/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,212

Sub-department: PAT-R3 Forestville CaveStaff
Base pay: $11,816
Overtime: $391
Other pay: $5
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,212
Hire date: 2024-05-24
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Fillmore

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Melinda Debner holds the role of Interpret Naturalist 1 at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R3 Forestville Cavestaff. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $12,212. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

David Hurey

Buildings & Grounds Worker/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,155

Sub-department: PAT-R2 McCarthy Beach Staff 2
Base pay: $11,011
Overtime: $842
Other pay: $302
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,155
Hire date: 2024-08-29
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

David Hurey works as a Buildings & Grounds Worker for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2 Mccarthy Beach Staff 2. They have served since 2024 (about a year) as a part-time, 0.9 FTE employee. David earned $12,155 in 2025. They are represented by Service.

Chad Olson

Buildings & Grounds Worker/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,149

Sub-department: PAT-R2TettegoucheMaintenance
Base pay: $11,550
Overtime: $485
Other pay: $114
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,149
Hire date: 2023-05-27
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 60
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.9
Work county: Lake

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Chad Olson is a Buildings & Grounds Worker at Natural Resources Department within Pat-R2Tettegouchemaintenance. Hired in 2023, they have about 2 years of service, working part-time, 0.9 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $12,149. Their bargaining unit is Service.

Jon Lesetmoe

Laborer General/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$12,143

Sub-department: FOR Badoura Nursery Staff2
Base pay: $12,118
Overtime: $24
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $12,143
Hire date: 2007-04-30
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 61
Union / bargaining unit: Service
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.75
Work county: Hubbard

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 203
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jon Lesetmoe is a Laborer General at Natural Resources Department within For Badoura Nursery Staff2. Their tenure dates to 2007, about 18 years, working part-time, 0.75 FTE. 2025 total compensation came to $12,143. Their bargaining unit is Service.