Working Title: Communications and Strategic Outreach Section Manager
Job Class: Natural Resources Section Manager
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources
Job ID : 96390
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, up to 50% of the time
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 08/21/2026
Closing Date : 09/10/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit : Fish and Wildlife
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $46.51 - $66.81 / hourly; $97,112 - $139,499 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Managerial Plan/Unrepresented
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
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 fill one (1) Communications and Strategic Outreach Section Manager position at our central office in Saint Paul, MN.
This position manages Division of Fish and Wildlife outreach functions including publishing public information through a variety of print and digital channels, media relations, and marketing. It also manages programs designed to reduce barriers for people to fish or hunt-such as providing learn-to-fish and learn-to-hunt opportunities for families and adults, coordinating a statewide program that supports experienced anglers and hunters as volunteer mentors or instructors on fishing and hunting, and by managing organizational partnerships, contracts and grants.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Provide leadership and supervision for the Outreach Section so that applicable labor agreements and work plans are equitably administered, and employees effectively perform assigned job duties to achieve annual and long-range objectives of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Direct the division integrated public relations program so that fish and wildlife division public information is clearly and strategically communicated internally and externally.
Manage the hunter and angler recruitment and retention programs to ensure that youth and mentored hunts, the National Archery in the Schools Program, volunteer mentor program, SE Asian community outreach, and other angler and hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation outreach efforts, such as marketing and public information are achieving agency goals.
Direct the Division's fishing and hunting license sales marketing programs to ensure that license sales and promotion efforts are achieving agency goals.
Direct and manage a comprehensive statewide partnerships program so that the Division has a thriving, diverse network of partnerships across the state that assists with resource management, promotions (special events), and angler and hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation (serving as volunteer instructors or mentors).
Provide service leadership to and for the Division Leadership Team (DLT) and Division Management Team (DMT), relevant statewide committees, and agency priority projects.
This position may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location in Saint Paul, MN 3 days per week. This position will require traveling within the state of MN occasionally, and for regional or national conferences.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, environmental education, fisheries or wildlife biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
Experience in long-range and strategic planning sufficient to develop operational plans, procedures, and to direct projects.
Managerial or supervisory experience directing and overseeing programs, and staff, sufficient to monitor, advise, and support section operations.
Experience in applying principles of budgeting and fiscal management sufficient to oversee and administer budgets.
Knowledge of marketing principles sufficient to publish public information through a variety of print and digital channels, media relations, and marketing.
Knowledge of policy development, organizational development, and program evaluation, sufficient to accomplish division and agency goals.
Organizational skills sufficient to balance goals, and focus on long-range issues and directions, while meeting short-term operational demands, and anticipating future expectations.
Communications skills sufficient to create and maintain partnerships with outside interests and groups, interests include but are not limited to, lake associations, angling groups, hunting groups, advocacy groups, private industry, and other local, state, and federal agencies.
Communication skills sufficient to convey complex technical issues in a patient and understandable way to uninitiated audiences, stakeholders, and the media via verbal, written, and group facilitation and presentation methods.
Human relation skills to carry out actions in a diplomatic and sensitive way with staff and stakeholders. Guide and encourage staff.
Technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills sufficient to identify, develop, and continually improve state of the art approaches, strategies, and systems that will benefit fish and wildlife.
Ability to set long term and short-term goals and objectives that equitably empower all employees, stakeholders, and the public.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge and understanding of recruitment and retention research and best management practices.
Experience in assessments of stakeholder satisfaction sufficient to guide and adjust program delivery with a continuous improvement mindset.
Knowledge of human resources management sufficient to manage and successfully develop the section's staff.
Four (4) years of experience in applying the laws, regulations, rules, principles, research practices, and procedures of fish and wildlife management or communicating about natural resource management and outdoor recreation.
Knowledge of crisis communications, and risk approaches sufficient to respond in a timely manner with well-received and accurate information.
Additional Requirements
This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver's license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.
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.
