Engagement & Communications Associate

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.

Position Duties & Responsibilities:

Community Engagement Coordination (45%)

• Assist with planning and implementing various events, including webinars, annual shindigs, member-appreciation events, and outings. 
• Provide support with event production, speaker prep, technology needs, facility rentals, food and beverage orders, and additional activities. 
• Creatively and productively engage with event planning processes to enhance participant engagement and educate about P&TC’s mission. 
• Assist with soliciting speakers, in-kind donations, sponsors, and other event elements. 
• Engage with community groups, individuals, and businesses to raise awareness about the organization and volunteer opportunities.

Strategic Communications Coordination (40%)

• 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. 
• Provide support with solicitation/renewal outreach to Friends Group Partners. 
• Collaborate to identify and support relationships with relevant influencers, partners, and supporters to spread our messaging through their networks.

Small-grant Program Coordination (10%)

• 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.

Legislative Support Facilitation (5%)

• Assist with outreach to Friends Group Partners on collaboration opportunities for our legislative initiatives. 
• 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.

BENEFITS:

This position offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Employer paid medical, dental, and life insurance (optional family partially paid) 
• 12 paid holidays 
• Generous paid time off 
• 401k retirement plan with an employer match. 
• Hybrid work environment