Job ID 91620 - Communications Supervisor

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

As a Communications Supervisor at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), you will be responsible for helping to advance the MPCA’s communications strategies through planning and execution of communications work and supervision of staff. This position serves on the Communications and Outreach section’s leadership team and assists in the development of the communications strategy, integrating internal and external communications across all channels. 

This position guides the development and execution of communications plans and strategies, helps facilitate the agency’s media relations and internal communications programs. It is the lead for emergency response communications, serving as the main point of contact with internal stakeholders and the news media. It also manages the day-to-day operations of the section’s budget and purchasing process. 

This position reports to the assistant director of communications, ensuring the agency’s strategic communications programs align with the Governor’s communications goals, the Agency’s vision and mission and any other initiatives for the agency. It also serves on cross-agency management teams. 

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of advanced professional experience in communications, public affairs, and/or media relations that includes developing strategies utilizing a wide range of communications tools and tactics.

Supervisory or leadership experience within a communications team or newsroom.

Knowledge of communications strategy using multiple channels (website, social, email, etc.) and creating effective communications for these platforms.

Success in building teams and assigning, managing, and facilitating the work of professional staff.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.

Human relations skills sufficient to effectively interact with internal and external business partners, to create and maintain a positive, professional working environment for staff as well as positive image for external clients/citizens, to deliver decisions and information, and to resolve disagreements.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. 

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. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or closely related.

Knowledge of workings of newsrooms and media, preferably from working in a newsroom or a media organization.

Skilled at proactive media relations with demonstrated success in concept development, pitching and placement.

Skilled at reactive media relations with demonstrated success in responding to diverse and often high volumes of requests.

Demonstrated success in managing change at evolving organizations and comfortability with transition work and guiding team through new ventures. 

Experience developing workflows, policies, standards, and processes for communications materials.

Additional Requirements

Position duties may require travel but driving is not a minimum qualification or essential function of this position. Employees who may drive for state business will need their driver’s license checked prior to operating a state vehicle.

It is the policy of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 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 where applicable 

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.