Description

Hennepin County's Environment and Energy Department (EED) is seeking a full-time environmental engagement specialist to administer two environmental advisory boards. The position will also conduct community engagement and outreach in support of Reinventing the Solid Waste System Plan’s implementation efforts.

The Environmental Education and Outreach Unit is responsible for educating and engaging with the community on department services, encouraging environmental stewardship, and motivating individuals to take action to preserve and enhance the environment for future generations.

Location and hours:

This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the 625 Building, 625 Fourth Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and remote as job duties require. This position includes attending meetings and events around the county. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with frequent evening and weekend hours to conduct community engagement. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

About the position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as an Administrative Assistant, Intermediate.
Click here to view the job classification specification.

In this position, you will:

Administer two environmental advisory boards – one for adults and another for youth.
- Fill vacancies and official roles within the boards.
- Support governing processes and communications, including:
  - Coordinate with department and advisory boards’ leadership to plan agendas and coordinate meeting logistics.
  - Facilitate discussions that incorporate diverse perspectives while remaining grounded in the county’s strategic direction, commitments, and implementation frameworks.
  - Connect advisory board members to appropriate subject matter experts and champion advisory board requests with Hennepin County staff.
  - Publish agendas, materials, and minutes.
  - Maintain communication platforms for the advisory boards to collaborate.
  - Develop annual reports and assist in preparing board presentations.
- Keep county leadership informed of advisory boards’ input and recommendations on environmental policies and initiatives.
- Support advisory board members in their role to serve as a liaison to the community and their peers to gather input and raise awareness about programs, services, resources, and public engagement opportunities.
- Increase transparency and facilitate community involvement in measuring progress toward environmental goals and outcomes.
Support community engagement efforts and conduct outreach in support of implementing the county’s plan to Reinventing the Solid Waste System.
- Design and implement engagement strategies to support key initiatives within the Reinventing the Solid Waste System Plan.
- Coordinate outreach efforts with internal teams, cities, and community partners to ensure effective engagement.
- Plan and facilitate community meetings, events, and workshops to gather input and increase awareness of programs and services.
Assist the department’s Strategic Initiatives Manager with strategic planning, implementation, and tracking of the department’s strategic priorities and disparity elimination framework.

Need to have:

One of the following:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental education, environmental studies, education, communications, public relations, psychology and behavior science, public administration, or other field appropriate to the position and two years or more of experience in general administrative work relating to the management of departmental/organizational operations or in a specialty area appropriate to the position.
- Six or more years of experience in general administrative work relating to the management of departmental/organizational operations or in a specialty area appropriate to the position.
A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit.

Nice to have:

Experience:
- With environmental education and outreach.
- Developing work plans and coordinating team projects.
- Administrating an advisory board.
- Facilitating group processes and demonstrate proficiency in implementing public involvement practices and principles – for example facilitating discussions using International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) principles.
- Planning and conducting environmental education and/or youth leadership programming with teens or young adults.
- Making scientific, environmental, technical, or other complex information understandable and relatable to a general audience.
- Using communication software including Microsoft Office suite, e-newsletter platforms, and web content management platforms.
Ability to:
- Develop and implement work plans and coordinate advisory boards with people that represent significant diversity in culture, values, education, occupation, income, and age.
- Build and maintain relationships with a variety of people.
- Connect in a meaningful way with youth.
- Plan and lead effective discussions and engaging events.
- Synthesize feedback, identify key insights, and present suggested solutions in a concise and actionable writing style.
- Navigate complex and sometimes competing perspectives to maintain productive and respectful dialogue.

About the department:
The Environment and Energy department protects and preserves the environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. We engage communities to develop and enact sustainable solutions. We focus on reducing and responsibly managing waste, protecting and preserving ecosystems, delivering clean energy and promoting environmental stewardship.

About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.

Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Watch this video for application best practices and tips.

Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a criminal background check.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Talent Acquisition division
Hennepin County Human Resources department
Submit a request at hennepin.us/ask-hr or 612-348-7855

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Environmental Engagement Specialist