Engagement & Communications Associate

Status: Full-Time Regular Hourly

Hours: 32/week (with additional hours during some parts of the year)

Reports to: External Relations Director

Location: Hybrid with at least 1 day/week in P&TC office in Lowertown St. Paul

Position Summary

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota seeks a dedicated and passionate Engagement & Communications Associate to join our team. In this role, you will support the planning and implementation of events, communications, and programs to engage supporters and partners and promote our mission. Responsibilities include assisting in organizing events, coordinating strategic communications, and managing a small grants program.

About Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is a member-supported nonprofit working to acquire, protect, and enhance critical land for the public’s use and benefit. We work on several fronts to accomplish this mission. We partner with public agencies to acquire land for parks and trails. We serve as an independent, honest, and forthright voice defending parks and trails at Minnesota’s State Capitol. We conduct and disseminate research findings on key park and trail issues. In collaboration with volunteer-based Friends Groups, we foster a community of caretakers for parks and trails.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

1. Community Engagement Coordination (45%)
   1. Assist with planning and implementing various events, including webinars, annual shindigs, member-appreciation events, and outings.
      1. Provide support with event production, speaker prep, technology needs, facility rentals, food and beverage orders, and additional activities.
   2. Creatively and productively engage with event planning processes to enhance participant engagement and educate about P&TC’s mission.
   3. Assist with soliciting speakers, in-kind donations, sponsors, and other event elements.
   4. Engage with community groups, individuals, and businesses to raise awareness about the organization and volunteer opportunities.
2. Strategic Communications Coordination (40%)
   1. Assist with researching, writing, planning, and coordinating targeted communications to P&TC’s supporters and partners through various channels, including email, blog posts, social media posts, printed newsletters, press releases, and factsheets.
   2. Provide support with solicitation/renewal outreach to Friends Group Partners.
   3. Collaborate to identify and support relationships with relevant influencers, partners, and supporters to spread our messaging through their networks.
3. Small-grant Program Coordination (10%)
   1. Assist in organizing and arranging tasks to facilitate a smooth and efficient process throughout the grantmaking process, including outreach, announcement, application, evaluation, oversight, and compliance.
4. Legislative Support Facilitation (5%)
   1. Assist with outreach to Friends Group Partners on collaboration opportunities for our legislative initiatives.
   2. Schedule and coordinate meetings between P&TC President and Friends Group Partners to provide legislative coaching.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate would have the following:

• Professional/Educational Experience:
• A bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience or at least 4 years of experience in communications, events, or volunteer organizing.
• Mission Match: Interest and/or background in Parks & Trails Council’s mission.
• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively as part of a team and self-motivated to work independently.
• Communication skills: Strong interpersonal, written, visual, and verbal communication skills, including comfort in outreaching to unfamiliar audiences.
• Problem Solving: Strong process improvement skills with a demonstrated ability to use critical thinking to seek out, identify, and communicate solutions to challenges as they arise.
• Technology: Proficient in MS Word and Excel, and experience. Experience with Canva, Photoshop, InDesign a plus. Web Development software (e.g, WordPress).
• Workload Management: Organized and attentive to detail. Ability to set and maintain manageable priorities and forward progress for multiple responsibilities.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

This position requires occasional overnight travel to places in Minnesota. A valid driver’s license is required.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, disability, or socioeconomic status. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.

TO APPLY

Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to hr@parksandtrails.org with “Engagement and Communications Associate” in the subject line.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE

The job posting will remain open until filled. The anticipated timeline is below, but the schedule is flexible to respond to the candidate’s response.

• March 24 – 28 Interviews – 1st round via Teams
• March 31 – April 4 Interviews – 2nd round in person