Environmental Justice Outreach Coordinator - Job ID 83730

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

This posting will be used to fill one limited Planner Principal State vacancy, The position has a projected end date of June 30, 2027

The position is under the Agency's Office of Equity and Environmental Justice team at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). This position will perform and coordinate community outreach and engagement tasks with Environmental Justice (EJ) communities as well as work with program staff to achieve agency Environmental Justice strategic goals. The incumbent is responsible for leading and implementing community outreach and engagement strategies on projects assigned, with a focus on bridging the gap between the MPCA priorities and the concerns of EJ communities. The role involves establishing goals, planning, and executing outreach events to build trust and foster relationships with community members and organizations, particularly in EJ areas. The incumbent will work closely with MPCA leadership and stakeholders to ensure that the voices and concerns of diverse communities are heard and integrated into MPCA initiatives related to climate action, permitting, compliance, enforcement, grant-making, etc. A key focus is on cultivating relationships and ensuring that the needs of EJ communities are known and can inform agency actions. The position also includes contributing to and supporting the agency's engagement efforts related to EJ in order to promote proactive, inclusive dialogues and meaningful involvement in MPCA's work.

Minimum Qualifications 

Two years advanced professional experience planning, implementing, and evaluating work and/or initiatives in the areas of community engagement, community organizing, issues management, public relations and/or public affairs or a similar field. (A bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Human Services, Public Administration, Business Administration can substitute for 1 year of experience) AND

Ability or experience in leading project teams, tracking progress and managing toward the achievement of a common goal in a specified timeframe.

Experience in project management and navigating ambiguous projects.

Excellent communication skills, including engagement plan development and execution of crafting messaging, content strategies, and writing with the ability to clearly distill topics into concise analysis that may include complex and potentially controversial agency decisions, initiatives and programs.

Experience in persuading, presenting, and championing recommendations and objectives.

Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.

Valid Class D Driver's License.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong knowledge of political process and/or experience working in a political environment.

Strong knowledge of the assigned metro or regional communities, including key stakeholders and issue areas.

Believes racial equity and inclusion are important and is driven to act on this belief. 

Bilingual (preferably Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Ojibwe, Dakota or other non-English languages commonly spoken in Minnesota).

Additional Requirements

A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check. Requires a Class D Driver's License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver's license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

About Pollution Control Agency 

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure polluting does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.