"Alerted.org

Working Title: Community Engagement Support Specialist

Job Class: Communications Specialist 1

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 89733

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes; hybrid

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 10/28/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 11/03/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit** : Operations Services Division / OSD OCO

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes; up to 40%

+ **Salary Range:** $26.43 - $38.55 / hourly; $55,185 - $80,492 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE

+ **FLSA Status:** Non-exempt

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

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 DNR is seeking to hire one (1) Community Engagement Support Specialist at our central office in Saint Paul, MN.

This position exists to support the planning and execution of the DNR’s events program and community engagement for DNR’s conservation magazine (Minnesota Conservation Volunteer). This includes facilitating communication and coordination between the Office of Communication and Outreach (OCO), DNR regions and divisions, event partners, host communities, schools, and public and private sector organizations connected to the DNR and its mission. The incumbent executes a variety of communications tasks to ensure broad visibility and awareness of the magazine and DNR’s presence at major community events, including creation of social media posts, webpage updates, on-site public interactions, interviews or interview coordination with media, etc. This position also executes routine operational tasks for events to ensure positive experiences for the public.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

+ Assist in execution of major events for the agency. This includes supporting planning and set up of major events, administrative tasks (e.g., purchasing, scheduling, partner coordination, invoicing, inventory, and more), staffing major events, and breakdown/cleanup and debriefing after events.

+ Support outreach and community engagement initiatives on behalf of the agency magazine, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer (MCV), in order to maintain and grow existing programs (including Young Naturalists and the Fish Art Contest), expand awareness and reach, and engage new demographics of subscribers.

+ Execute critical communication tasks to support public awareness, engagement, and attendance/participation at assigned events for the agency and the magazine. These tasks can include but are not limited to internal and external webpage content, social media posts, press releases, newsletters, promotional materials, giveaways, media interviews, interview coordination, public speaking, etc.

This position may be eligible to telework up to 50% of the time, which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location occasionally for meetings, training, onboarding, or as needed by supervisor. This position will require reporting to work at special events (e.g. State Fair, communications retreats, outreach and engagement activities etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

+ One (1) year of professional level experience in communications, marketing, and outreach.

+ A bachelor's degree in degree in business, education, communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

+ Knowledge of project management best practices; with demonstrated experience in project planning sufficient to plan, create, and implement communications strategies, and organize projects to ensure timely completion and to monitor and report results.

+ Knowledge of qualitive and quantitative analysis sufficient to collect and analyze program-related data, program regulations/requirements, and procedural steps to expedite approval of program activities.

+ Knowledge of cultural competence sufficient to produce content that reaches new and culturally diverse audiences.

+ Knowledge of database management as it applies to data storage, retrieval, and uses to track event logistics and outcomes.

+ Communications skills sufficient to communicate through a variety of written forms including emails, press releases, social media, web, and reports with demonstrated knowledge of AP style, to communicate in a clear, accurate and error-free manner sufficient to convey information to internal and external stakeholders, including media, government and non-government partners, local officials, educators, subject-matter experts, and customers.

+ Human relations skills sufficient to work in a highly collaborative team environment, and to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and communicate effectively and comfortably with state and agency leadership.

+ Ability to lead and motivate volunteers and cross-functional groups without direct authority and often while navigating competing priorities or agendas.

+ Ability to use scissor lifts, ladders, detergents/bleaches and other various cleaning and mechanical tools during the execution of events, for example, the MN State Fair.

Preferred Qualifications

+ A bachelor's degree in degree in business, education, communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing or a closely related field.

+ Knowledge of software required to create and edit video, audio, photos, and graphics, including Adobe Creative Suite.

+ Experience staffing events with attendance over 500.

+ Experience in and knowledge of fiscal, purchasing, and budgeting processes.

+ Experience presenting to, education, and/or engaging with students of different age groups.

+ Experience with writing and/or editing content about natural resource issues and outdoor recreation.

+ Experience with offline, face-to-face communication with the public about natural resource issues and outdoor recreation.

+ Experience with optimizing websites and creating electronic documents, products, video and audio that are accessible to those with disabilities.

+ Experience with managing sensitive issues or crisis communication.

+ Interpersonal skills and experience working with internal and external stakeholders, including media, government and non-government partners, local officials, educators, subject-matter experts, and customers/readers.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

This position requires occasional in-state, same-day, and overnight travel to DNR events. (e.g. State Fair, communications retreats, outreach and engagement activities etc.) (see job summary)

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:

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

• Education Verification

• Employment Reference / Records Check

• License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made 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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.