Marketing, Development and Public Relations Coordinator - Communications Specialist 2

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Marketing, Development and Public Relations Coordinator to lead the Nongame Wildlife Program’s outreach. The role focuses on growing public awareness and financial support, coordinating with the Digital Media Specialist and statewide staff to ensure consistent messages across the department.

The position is full-time in Saint Paul with telework eligibility up to 50%, and the team emphasizes equity, collaboration, and engaging Minnesotans in

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional-level experience in development, communications, marketing, or public relations.
• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, public relations, media, nonprofit management, natural resource communications, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Knowledge of marketing principles, practices, and techniques sufficient to develop a strategic marketing plan.
• Experience creating and implementing donor development strategies.
• Ability to analyze marketing and development campaign performance metrics and prepare reports that inform future planning.
• Experience planning, writing, and editing content for news releases, print materials, web, social media, newsletters, radio segments, and talking points for presentations or video productions.
• Experience in media relations and interviews for news outlets, radio, television, and promotional videos.
• Demonstrated project management and facilitation skills to manage complex communications planning efforts and meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with ability to synthesize complex ideas into clear narratives.
• Experience coordinating the production of promotional materials and working with designers, photographers, videographers, printers, and external vendors.
• Communications and human relations skills to work in a collaborative team and maintain relationships with donors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a Nongame Wildlife Program marketing plan and manage day-to-day operations of the program’s marketing channels in coordination with the program’s digital media specialist.
• Create and implement development strategies and plans.
• Build relationships with current and prospective donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders, including philanthropic individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.
• Regularly track, summarize and report on donations and sponsorships received.
• Advance relationships with media agencies and grow media coverage of the NWP through coordination of media outreach strategies.
• Connect with the public and build awareness and appreciation for the NWP through outreach activities.
• Implement communication strategies through the production of written and visual content.
• Coordinate Critical Habitat License Plate promotions.
• Develop outreach event plans, displays, and materials in a strategic manner that supports the program's communication plans.
• Understand strategies related to the promotion and funding of the Nongame Wildlife Program, Minnesota's Wildlife Action Plan and overall public engagement in wildlife viewing and nature tourism.

Skills

Marketing

Development

Public relations

Donor development

Media relations

Communications

Project management

Writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in marketing, journalism, communications, public relations, media, nonprofit management, natural resource communications, or related field

Job description

• Education Verification
• License / Certification Verification

Working Title: Marketing, Development and Public Relations Coordinator

Job Class: Communications Specialist 2

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 96011
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, up to 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/13/2026
• Closing Date: 09/02/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Ecological and Water Resources / Nongame Wildlife Program
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, occasional evenings will be required for events
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday, occasional weekends will be required for events
• Travel Required: Yes, occasionally as needed for meetings and events
• Salary Range: $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,138 - $91,224 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 Division of Ecological and Water Resources is seeking to fill one (1) Full-time Unlimited Marketing, Development and Public Relations Coordinator - Communications Specialist 2 position located at our Central Office in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

This position supports the Nongame Wildlife Program's (NWP) public engagement team by supporting their vision to inspire, motivate, and empower Minnesotans to conserve our state's rare and vulnerable wildlife, as outlined in Minnesota's Wildlife Action Plan. This position will lead marketing, development, and public relations efforts that increase public awareness and help sustain financial support for the NWP. The incumbent will work closely with the NWP Digital Media Specialist, collaborate with staff statewide, and coordinate with other Division and Department communications staff to ensure consistent and effective communication across the Department of Natural Resources.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a NWP marketing plan and manage the day-to-day operations of the program’s marketing channels in coordination with the program’s digital media specialist, to engage and inform current and potential NWP supporters.
• Create and implement development strategies and plans.
• Build relationships with current and prospective donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders, including philanthropic individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.
• Regularly track, summarize and report on donations and sponsorships received.
• Advance relationships with media agencies and grow media coverage of the NWP through coordination of media outreach strategies.
• Connect with the public and build awareness and appreciation for the NWP through outreach activities.
• Implement communication strategies through the production of written and visual content.
• Coordinate Critical Habitat License Plate promotions.
• Develop outreach event plans, displays, and materials in a strategic manner that supports the program's communication plans.
• Understand strategies related to the promotion and funding of the Nongame Wildlife Program, Minnesota's Wildlife Action Plan and overall public engagement in wildlife viewing and nature tourism.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional level experience in development (e.g. for a nonprofit organization), communications, marketing, or public relations. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, public relations, media, nonprofit management, natural resource communications, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Knowledge of marketing principles, practices, and techniques sufficient to develop a strategic marketing plan.
• Experience creating and implementing donor development strategies.
• Ability to analyze marketing and development campaign performance metrics and prepare reports that inform future planning.
• Experience planning, writing, and editing content for news releases, print materials, web, social media, newsletters, radio actualities, and/or talking points for presentations or video productions.
• Experience in media relations and interviews for news outlets, radio, television, and promotional videos.
• Demonstrated project management and facilitation skills sufficient to manage complex communications planning efforts, manage time, and meet multiple overlapping deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to synthesize complex ideas and activities into coherent, compelling presentations and narratives. Skills are sufficient to represent the program and Division in a professional and clear manner.
• Experience coordinating the creative production of promotional materials, displays, and media and working with graphic designers, photographers, videographers, printers, and external vendors.
• Communications and human relations skills sufficient to work in a highly collaborative team environment, build and maintain relationships with donors, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including DNR staff, DNR leadership, government and nongovernment partners, and news