Bell Museum Statewide Communication and Outreach Associate

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Generous time off

Tuition benefit program

Low-cost medical/dental/pharmacy

Job summary

The Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota seeks a Statewide Communication and Program Associate to expand statewide marketing and outreach across Minnesota. The role emphasizes building partnerships, promotional strategy, and program delivery with the Statewide Engagements team.

Hybrid work with some travel across Minnesota, including non‑metro areas. Candidates should have strong communication skills, relationship‑building ability, and experience with educational programs and outreach.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent experience.
• Proactive relationship building with diverse partners across Minnesota.
• Excellent written and oral communication for varied audiences.
• Familiar with Zoom/Google Meet or similar platforms.
• Creative, enthusiastic, team oriented, able to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop statewide marketing and outreach content for statewide programs.
• Cultivate media and community partnerships across Greater MN.
• Support educational programming with data collection and storytelling.
• Represent the Bell Museum at events and collaborations statewide.
• Coordinate travel and logistics for events and partnerships.

Skills

Relationship building

Written communication

Oral communication

Virtual meeting tools

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Storytelling

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Zoom

Google Meet

Job description

About the Job

Position Overview: To extend the Bell Museum's reach across Minnesota, this role combines strategic marketing with statewide community outreach, requiring both promotional strategy and relationship-focused program delivery. The Statewide Communication and Program Associate position will advance the promotion of the Bell Museum's offerings throughout the state of Minnesota, working collaboratively and proactively with a wide variety of partners. This is a shared position between the Business and Marketing and the Statewide Engagements departments at the Bell. This position will be responsible for making connections and building relationships with new and existing collaborators across Minnesota, especially outside of the metro area. Will assist with program delivery as needed.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)

General Communications (35%)

• Performs a broad range of external communications‑related work as detailed below, including oral and written communications support.
• Develop social media and blog content (promotional and storytelling) promoting statewide programs
• Cultivate media contacts and press coverage, with a focus on pitches and coordination of interviews with media in Greater MN
• Create and update web content for the Bell's website and content for Bell email messages for targeted programs.
• Coordinate multi‑media, photo and video to promote the Bell and its programs
• Develop and distribute printed promotional materials, including marketing handouts.
• Maintain program reach data to update Arc-GIS maps showing the reach of the Bell's Statewide programs.

Community Relations (35%)

• Work in partnership with the Bell's Statewide Engagement team to make new connections and steward existing community relationships in greater Minnesota.
• Represent the institution at community events, on‑and off‑site.
• Research potential partners and places to engage audiences across Minnesota, , including active outreach to connect new communities and partners with Bell programs and resources. (examples: outreach to identify ExploraDome sites in target zones, Statewide Star Party hosts, etc.)
• Coordinate and staff select events to give the Bell's statewide programs visibility and participate in events in partnership with the MN Historical Society.
• Involves some travel for select events and partnerships.

Statewide Program Support (15%)

• Support all aspects of educational programming that engages a diverse range of learners and encourages participation through the use of a variety of teaching techniques. Some travel required.
• Assist in collecting and managing data for programming (addresses for participants, program attendance, possible evaluation data) to support storytelling and reporting to sponsors.

Government Relations (10%)

• Support ongoing communication and relationship‑building with legislators represented in areas throughout the state by Bell Museum programs.
• Collaborate with other University of MN partners in CFANS and Government Relations as needed to prepare and organize messages, impact briefs, and invitations with government officials to exchange ideas and information on potential legislation that may affect the Bell Museum.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Duties might include serving on search committees, evaluating proposals, or assisting with cross‑team projects.
• As needed, attending staff/project meetings, assisting other departments, and working on new projects.

Work Environment: Hybrid. There will be some time in‑person at the Bell Museum on the St Paul Campus and some flexibility to work from home. Occasional travel outside the metro is required.

Location

Bell Museum, University of Minnesota – Saint Paul campus

Schedule

• Monday – Friday with occasional weekend hours and in person meetings and events
• Overnight travel (depending on the season and events schedule) throughout Minnesota for programs and meetings is required with covered mileage/transportation, per diem, and hotel accommodations.
• 40 hours per week

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively build relationships, initiate conversations, and communicate confidently with a wide range of partners, stakeholders, and community members.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in written storytelling for a variety of audiences.
• Familiarity with relevant technology, particularly virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet.
• Creative, enthusiastic and thrives working in a team setting.
• Self motivated, creative, enthusiastic, and able to balance multiple different projects at once in a fast paced environment
• Must be flexible and enthusiastic about working with persons from diverse backgrounds and learning styles in a high stress, fast‑paced environment.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to meet the Safety of Minors compliance.
• Ability to travel reliably to work locations, partner sites, meetings, and events throughout Minnesota, including locations that may not be accessible by public transportation

Desired Qualifications

• A minimum of two years experience with communications, community outreach and engagement, non-profit or educational advocacy, or government relations.
• While none of these are required, any experience with photography, video editing, graphic design, media relations, social media, Arc-GIS mapping
• Formal education or experience in science and STEM curriculum delivery and program implementation, with a demonstrated track record of excellence in teaching.
• Experience working with culturally, socioeconomically, and age‑diverse populations.
• Proficiency in multilingual communication, especially in languages spoken by our diverse partner communities across the state.

About the Department

Department/Unit Summary

The Bell Museum ignites and sustains curiosity for nature and the universe. The Bell envisions a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science.

The Bell Museum is Minnesota's official natural history museum, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. For over 150 years, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state's rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over five million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium expands the mission to the universe and points beyond.

We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates that reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $23.13 to $24.30 per hour ($48,110.4 to $50,544 annual salary); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil‑Service & Non‑Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer‑paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world‑renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work‑life flexibility.