Communications Project Specialist - Planner Principal State

Job Details

Working Title: Communications Project Specialist
Job Class: Planner Principal State
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID: 93480
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes; hybrid
• Full/Part Time: Full-time
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary Unclassified
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/15/2026
• Closing Date: 05/05/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Natural Resources
• Division/Unit: Fish & Wildlife / F&W Outreach
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes; details in the job summary
• Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,723 annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
• End Date: Three (3) year duration
• FLSA Status: non-exempt
• 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.

Job Summary

The DNR is seeking to fill one (1) Communications Project Specialist position, at the central office in Saint Paul, MN.

This position serves as a Communications Project Manager for the Fish and Wildlife Division, embedded within the Division’s Integrated Public Relations Unit. The role is responsible for organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating a high volume of communications initiatives, issues, and events that flow to the public relations team from division leadership, subject matter experts, the Commissioner’s Office, and the Governor’s Office.

The incumbent provides project management leadership to ensure that communications work is clearly scoped, appropriately prioritized, and delivered on time and with consistency across multiple workstreams. This includes managing timelines, deliverables, dependencies, approvals, and cross-functional coordination for both routine communications activities and large-scale, high-visibility initiatives such as the Governor’s Fishing Opener, Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener, DNR Roundtable, and similar statewide or regional events.

In addition to day-to-day coordination, this position is responsible for streamlining and improving the efficiency of communications initiatives and events. The incumbent evaluates existing tactics, workflows, timelines, approval structures, and coordination processes; identifies opportunities to standardize deliverables and reduce duplication; and implements practical improvements that enhance consistency, predictability, and effective use of staff time.

Additionally, the incumbent will work in coordination with all members of the Unit to create recap and results reports to enhance understanding of the impact the team makes.

The position functions as a central organizing role for the public relations unit—bringing structure, visibility, and operational discipline to complex communications workflows—so that communications staff can focus on strategy, messaging, media relations, marketing, social media, web and other content development.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage assigned major communications projects and initiatives from planning through implementation to ensure optimal efficiency and fiscal responsibility of communication and outreach programs and efforts.
• Manage continuous improvement efforts for the communication and outreach functions of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
• Work with communication and outreach teams in response to crisis or highly sensitive situations.
• Work in concert the multi-disciplinary, multi-agency event teams to coordinate and project manage media and outreach components of major events such as the Governor’s Fishing Opener, Governor’s hunting opener events, DNR Roundtable, and other events as 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. The incumbent in this position will be required to travel in-state to DNR events, trainings, or meetings approximately 15 days per year. The duration of this position will be three (3) years.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional level experience in long-range and strategic planning, communications, and project management regarding large-scale events and initiatives.
• Knowledge of project management best practices; project planning and operations sufficient to organize projects and negotiate for resources to ensure the successful completion of projects.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data analysis sufficient to evaluate communications and marketing project/program results and to develop a system of measures and key performance indicators in order to assess performance and make recommendations for ongoing improvements.
• Knowledge of communications, public relations, and marketing operations and best practices sufficient to bring structure, visibility, and operational discipline to complex communications workflows.
• Interpersonal, communication, and human relations skills sufficient to convey complex information to technical and non-technical audiences via verbal and written methods; navigate and resolve conflict; achieve cooperation with the public, peers, and staff; and to make progress on agency objectives.
• Organizational skills and ability to direct and manage complex collaborative projects and ensure that process deadlines and procedural requirements are met and projects are successfully completed.
• Skills and experience with organizational and project management tools (i.e., Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner, Asana, or similar); ability to use these tools to produce and manage organizational workflows such as Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and dashboards.
• Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional groups without direct authority and often while navigating competing priorities or agendas.
• Ability to form relationships and influence decision-making, sufficient to work with diverse groups and help identify a common goal.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business, project management, communications, journalism, or related field.
• Administrative management experience at a regional or statewide level.
• Experience coordinating projects with regulatory agencies or multidisciplinary teams.
• Formal project management training or certifications (PMP, CAPM, etc.)

Additional Requirements

No driving duties are required.

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

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact David Tauchen at David.Tauchen@state.mn.us or 651-259-5135.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@state.mn.us.To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Tava Cayo at tava.cayo@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.