Working Title: Lead Digital Specialist for External Communications
Job Class: Communications Specialist 3
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
Job ID : 91828
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes; hybrid
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 03/11/2026
Closing Date : 03/24/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit : Operations Services / OSD OCO Strategic Comms
Work Shift/Work Hours : Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes; occasional
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,723 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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 DNR is seeking to hire one (1) Lead Digital Specialist for External Communications at our central office in Saint Paul, MN.
This position will help the agency achieve its natural resources, recreation, communication and public engagement goals by ensuring the agency's main digital communications platforms (website, mass email system, public engagement portal etc.) are strategically managed to meet the business, informational and accessibility needs of the agency and its customers. The position will lead the Department's governance operations and strategy for the agency's website, mass email system, and public engagement portal. The incumbent will lead, coordinate, and create content and provide training and guidance to other agency staff regarding digital media management and best practices, in collaboration with MNIT staff. This person will advise on, create, and execute communications plans and strategies for strategic DNR initiatives in alignment with the Department's mission.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Collaborate with staff from MNIT and the Office of Communications and Outreach on the development of a comprehensive agency-wide web strategy.
Lead and implement DNR's web governance by planning and coordinating web content priorities and developing governance policies and procedures using industry best practices (SEO, plain language etc.).
Lead and oversee DNR's mass email system (GovDelivery) governance and strategy and advise GovDelivery administrators on best practices for email communication and marketing and identify new opportunities for customer email addresses for GovDelivery lists (in keeping with state data privacy requirements).
Ensure division and regional staff have the information, tools, and training they need to engage with the public.
Collect, review and analyze data and metrics, while ensuring accessibility and compliance of the public website.
Create and implement communications plans, strategies and tactics for DNR initiatives while supporting crisis communications efforts.
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. This position will require traveling to OSD meetings, OCO off-site meetings, and DNR events in-state including but not limited to, the State Fair, and the Governor's Fishing or Pheasant Hunting Opener.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of professional level experience in external digital communications strategy and implementation with demonstrated knowledge of website governance best practices, experience with AP style sufficient to write and edit professional and error-free content.
A bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience
Skills with industry standard content management system platforms (e.g. Drupal, WordPress, Kentico, etc.) sufficient to create new web assets and update existing assets.
Experience using project management best practices; project planning, and operations sufficient to organize projects and negotiate for resources to ensure the successful completion of projects.
Experience in gathering information and creating written deliverables based on that information.
Knowledge of communications best practices including writing, editing, communications planning and implementation, goal and KPI setting, and reporting.
Skills with office technology systems, such as Microsoft 365, or similar programs, data management systems, and internet applications, to assemble, analyze, and synthesize information from data sources.
Communications and human relations skills sufficient to work in a highly collaborative team environment, and to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with a variety of stakeholders and communicate effectively and comfortably with state and agency leadership.
Ability to analyze metrics sufficient to translate them into implementable strategies and tactics.
Ability to facilitate large groups and lead large and complex projects.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field.
Experience working in government or another complex environment equitable to a mid-to-large size (3,000 to 5,000 employees) organization.
Skills sufficient to develop a comprehensive web strategy for the agency.
Experience in creating and enforcing governance policies for communications platforms.
Experience with strategies and tactics related to mass email systems.
Experience with optimizing websites and creating electronic documents, products, video and audio that are accessible to those with disabilities.
Additional Requirements
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record.
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
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
