Regional Information Officer - Communications Specialist 2

Working Title : Regional Information Officer

Job Class : Communications Specialist 2

Agency : MN Department of Natural Resources

Job ID

: 89060

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

: 09 / 23 / 2025

Closing Date

: 10 / 13 / 2025

Hiring Agency / Seniority Unit

: Department of Natural Resources

Division / Unit

: Operations Services Division / OCO Region 3

Work Shift / Work Hours

: Day Shift

Days of Work

: Monday - Friday

Travel Required

: Yes; occasional

Salary Range :

$29.25 - $42.94 / hourly; $61,074 - $89,658 / annually

Classified Status

: Classified

Bargaining Unit / Union

: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl / MAPE

FLSA Status

: Nonexempt

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 Department of Natural Resources is seeking to fill one (1) Regional Information Officer in St. Paul, MN.

This position exists to lead, develop and execute a proactive regional communication and outreach program with cross-divisional and statewide impact and implications. This position is under the administrative direction of the OSD regional manager with program guidance from the assistant communications director and the regional director. This position coordinates agency-wide, cross-divisional communication initiatives which are regionally based but with statewide impact. This position provides leadership, strategic direction and overall guidance on communications, public relations and outreach issues for the Regional Management Team (RMT).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Develop and execute regional communication and outreach efforts that have regional and statewide impact and that support DNR’s strategies and initiatives. Lead statewide communications efforts for events and initiatives that originate or take place in the region.

Develop internal and external communications plans and deliverables for multiple platforms and regional, divisional, and agency-wide customers that communicates agency priorities and enhances the end users' experience through informational and public relations efforts.

Serve as the regional communication authority; provide media training and communications policy guidance for agency staff and the regional director.

Train for and serve when assigned as a Public Information Officer on the Regional Incident Support Team (RIST) or Incident Management Team (IMT) so that emergency communications and operations are supported and effective. The position will also serve as the regional communications coordinator in crisis situations as appropriate or assigned.

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 the incumbent to travel for offsite meetings, events, and media collection, with the majority of travel occurring within the DNR's Central Region in Minnesota. Overnight travel may occur on an occasional basis, for meetings such as the Operations Services Division all staff meeting, Office of Communications and Outreach meetings, trainings, and for events like the Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener or the Governor’s Fishing Opener. Travel out of state would be to a neighboring state on a very infrequent basis, potentially up to once per year.

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of professional level experience in communications, marketing, journalism, and outreach.

A bachelors degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Experience in planning, writing, and editing content for news releases, web, social media, newsletters, public service announcements for radio and television, radio actualities, and / or scripts for information and education productions.

Experience with software required to create and edit video, audio, photos, and graphics, including Adobe Creative Suite.

Knowledge of journalistic principles, practices, and techniques as related to the planning, creating, editing, and multi-channel distribution of communications deliverables.

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

Working knowledge of news media sufficient to ensure effective media relations efforts within the region.

Organizational and time management skills sufficient to delegate and manage multiple projects.

Project management and facilitation skills sufficient to manage complex communications planning efforts.

Communications and 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.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills sufficient to address complex communications and public relations challenges.

Skills in writing and editing, including 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 / readers.

Preferred Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, media, or closely related field.

Four (4) years of experience as a communications professional with responsibilities for media relations, public relations, writing, editing, communications planning, and social media content creation and community management.

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

Experience with audience development as it relates to websites, newsletters, and social media channels.

Experience with managing sensitive issues or crisis communication.

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

Experience in shooting, editing, and producing video segments, and providing media content in multiple languages.

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 (Governor's Opener events, Commissioner level events, 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 careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.