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Working Title: Volunteer Engagement Specialist

Job Class: State Program Administrator

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 91424

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes

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

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Limited

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

+ **Date Posted** : 1/15/2026

+ **Closing Date** : 2/04/2026

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

+ **Division/Unit** : Ecological and Water Resources / Nongame Wildlife Program

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift, occasional evening, weekend shifts

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

+ **Travel Required** : Yes, occasional in-state travel

+ **Salary Range:** $23.98 - $34.69 / hourly; $50,070 - $72,432 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Unclassified

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

+ **End Date** : 06/30/2028

+ **FLSA Status** : Nonexempt

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

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 Volunteer Engagement Specialist supports the coordination, recruitment, and retention of volunteers for community science, wildlife education, and outreach programs. This position works closely with program coordinators to ensure volunteers have a positive, inclusive, and well-supported experience from recruitment and onboarding through participation, recognition, and reporting.

Primary responsibilities include coordinating volunteer onboarding and scheduling through the department’s volunteer management system, responding to volunteer inquiries, assisting with recruitment and outreach efforts, supporting event planning and facilitation, and helping track and report volunteer participation for grant reporting purposes. This role also provides occasional on-the-ground support at events and classrooms and plays a key role in maintaining clear, timely, and welcoming communication with volunteers and partners.

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.

Funded by a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund, this temporary, unclassified position has an end date of June 30, 2028.

Minimum Qualifications

+ A bachelor’s degree in business, communications, education,sociology, or a closely related field, **OR** one year of related professional experience coordinating, supporting, or engaging volunteers or program participants (e.g., volunteer coordination, event support, community outreach, nonprofit or public sector programs).

+ Project management skills sufficient to organize and implement projects, ensure timely completion of deliverables, manage competing interests for time, and maintain attention to detail.

+ Knowledge of volunteer coordination, recruitment, onboarding, and retention practices sufficient to support volunteers across multiple projects.

+ Customer service skills sufficient to respond to volunteer and public inquiries in a timely, professional, and supportive manner via email, phone, and in person.

+ Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, partners, and members of the public from diverse backgrounds.

+ Ability to write clear, concise, audience-appropriate communications, including volunteer instructions and surveys, outreach content, and project summaries and reports.

+ Public speaking and facilitation skills sufficient to develop and deliver public presentations, host public events, and support trainings.

+ Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, and Outlook) sufficient to track volunteer data, maintain databases, and produce reports and outreach materials.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Two years of related professional experience coordinating, supporting, or engaging volunteers or program participants (e.g., volunteer coordination, event support, community outreach, nonprofit or public sector programs).

+ Experience using volunteer management software (such as Better Impact or similar systems) to onboard volunteers, schedule opportunities, and track hours.

+ Coursework or experience related to wildlife, ecology, conservation, natural resources, environmental education, or participatory/community science.

+ Experience supporting or leading events, trainings, recognition activities, or educational programs, including coordination with partners or volunteers.

+ Ability to engage diverse communities in public programming.

Additional Requirements

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.