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Associate Outreach Coordinator / Parks Ambassador

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Associate Outreach Coordinator / Parks Ambassador

Salary

$68,078.40 - $110,489.60 Annually

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2025-00256

Division

Community Development

Department

Unit Management

Opening Date

09/30/2025

Closing Date

10/21/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

WHO WE ARE

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)

The Community Development Division is responsible for the Council’s regional long-range planning efforts; planning and technical assistance to local governments; planning for and funding the regional parks and open space system; delivering rent assistance through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and delivering the Livable Communities Act grant programs.

We are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

In Community Development, we have set the following goals to guide our work:

+ Our Division builds competency, takes meaningful actions, and creates the necessary infrastructure to advance racial equity.

+ Our Division’s workplace culture is diverse and inclusive, and empowers employees of color.

The Regional Parks and Trails Department develops and carries out the Metropolitan Council's Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan through planning, research, and administration of grant programs for regional parks. The department provides support to the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, an advisory board to the Council. Learn more about our work and values on our website (https://metrocouncil.org/Parks/About/Oversight.aspx) .

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

TheAssociate Outreach Coordinator works with the Parks Ambassador team to create and manage an Ambassador Program for the Regional Parks and Trails System to increase the use of regional parks and trails by members of diverse, underrepresented communities in the metro area.

The Council plans and helps fund the regional parks system, and ten (10) regional park implementing agencies own, operate, and develop individual parks, park reserves, regional trails, and special recreation features. The position includes working with the regional park implementing agencies, community groups, park system partners, and interested parties to advance park and trail use by all residents of our region.

What you would do in this job

+ Collaborate on inclusive community engagement efforts by partnering with park agencies, BIPOC-led organizations, youth groups, and outdoor affinity groups to increase equitable access to the Regional Parks and Trails System.

+ Partner with other Met Council departments—including Communications, Transportation Services, and Community Development—to integrate the Parks Ambassador Program with broader Council initiatives.

+ Support monthly meetings with outreach, communications, and director-level staff from regional park agencies to align on strategy and share opportunities for coordination.

+ Collaborate with Council and agency communications staff to develop social media campaigns and public messaging aligned with Ambassador Program goals.

+ Raise public awareness of park benefits, events, and engagement opportunities through creative and inclusive communications strategies.

+ Assist the Parks Ambassador Manager in growing and sustaining the Parks Ambassador Program, supporting planning, research, and reporting needs.

+ Contribute to key initiatives such as the 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan Update, equitable community engagement, and helping ensure our regional trails are welcoming and easy to use.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of completed education in social work, environmental education, outdoor recreation, art, history, political science, planning, or a related field, and experience in community engagement, outdoor skill building, public policy, public relations, marketing, or communications.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

+ Knowledge of racial equity and how it relates to reaching new communities that do not have a history of park and trail participation.

+ Skilled at communicating orally, in writing, and through the use of visual media.

+ Knowledge of how to use social media and create content for a social media program.

+ Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, handling critical deadlines, and maintaining a high degree of accuracy.

+ Skilled at community engagement, including working with diverse populations, listening and talking to new people, and facilitating group conversations.

+ Ability to view differences between individuals (race, gender, age, cultural heritage, physical ability, education, and lifestyle) as an asset. Demonstrate an appreciation of diversity and inclusion.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

+ Ability to maintain effective working relationships with Council members, staff, and others to ensure a high degree of cooperation and efficiency.

+ Ability to set priorities and organize time efficiently.

+ Skilled at communicating orally, in writing, and through the use of visual media.

+ Knowledge of how to use social media and create content for a social media program.

+ Ability to work as part of a team, maintain effective relationships with coworkers, Council members, and others to ensure a high degree of cooperation and efficiency.

+ Ability to set priorities and organize time efficiently.

What you can expect from us:

+ We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

+ We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

+ We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)

Additional information

Union/Grade: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees/GradeE

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:

You would perform your work in a standard office setting, with a possible option for hybrid work (on-site and virtual). Work may occasionally require travel between your primary work site and other locations.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

+ We review your minimum qualifications.

+ We rate your education and experience.

+ We conduct a structured panel interview.

+ We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record (if applicable to the job), and checks for any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are job-related and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email [email protected].

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

+ Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund

+ Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan

+ Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%

+ Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

+ Well@Work clinic

+ bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year

+ parking at many job locations

+ fitness centers at many job locations

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important thatyour application shows all relevant education and experienceyou possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.]

+ Yes

+ No

02

How did youfirsthear about this job opening?

+ CareerForce Center

+ Community Event/Organization

+ Employee Referral

+ Facebook

+ Glassdoor

+ Indeed

+ Job Fair

+ LinkedIn

+ Metro Transit Bus Advertisement

+ Twitter

+ Website: governmentjobs.com

+ Website: metrocouncil.org

+ Website: metrotransit.org

+ Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com

+ Other

03

If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.

04

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

+ Bachelor's degree in social studies, art, history, political science, planning, or related field AND at least one (1) year of experience in community engagement, outdoor skill building, public policy, public relations, planning, marketing, or communications.

+ Associate's degree in social studies, art, history, political science, planning, or related field AND three (3) or more years of experience in community engagement, outdoor skill building, recreation management, public policy, public relations, planning, marketing, or communications.

+ High school diploma or GED AND five or more years of experience in community engagement, outdoor skill building, recreation management, public policy, public relations, planning, marketing, or communications.

+ None of the above.

05

Please select the areas below where you have at least one year of direct, hands-on experience (select all that apply):

+ Experience with community engagement or facilitating conversations or events around equity, access, or creating welcoming spaces with people from underrepresented communities, including race, ethnicity, economic status, and ability.

+ Developing programs or projects, including planning, coordination, and/or implementation.

+ Creating and managing public-facing communications (e.g., social media, outreach materials, newsletters).

+ Designing and/or delivering culturally relevant engagement strategies.

06

Choose one of the areas you selected in the question above and describe your experience in detail. Please include what your role was, the type of community or audience you worked with, the goals and outcomes of the engagement or project, and where and when this took place. If this does not apply, type "N/A." If you type "See resume," you will not receive credit for your response.

07

Please describe why access to the outdoors is important to you. In your response, include any relevant experience you have supporting efforts to increase equitable access to public spaces, programs, or services—particularly for communities that have historically experienced barriers to participation. If this does not apply, type “N/A.” If you type "See resume," you will not receive credit for your response.

08

Please describe your experience working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. In your response, include the context of this experience, your role, and how you supported inclusive or equitable outcomes. If you do not have this experience, please enter “N/A.” If you type "See resume," you will not receive credit for your response.

Required Question

Employer

Metropolitan Council

Address

390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website

https://metrocouncil.org

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