New

Assistant Director, Environmental Services Communications and Content Management

Metropolitan Council
$108,555.20 - $176,196.80 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan, pension
United States, Minnesota, Saint Paul
390 Robert Street North (Show on map)
Sep 12, 2025
WHO WE ARE We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. About Us: Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (ES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. ES water resource recovery facilities consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. ES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work. To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Assistant Director, ES Communications and Content Management, is responsible for the strategic direction of communications, outreach, and content management focused on clean water for future generations. This role aligns work to support strategic priorities and facilitates collaboration. The Assistant Director, ES Communications and Content Management, builds stakeholder understanding about the importance of the water resource recovery services and water planning of the Met Council, and promotes a strong internal culture. If you have experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or community relations and a passion for clean water and the environment in the Twin Cities, we want to hear from you. Join us in highlighting the importance of clean water, strengthening community connections, and building a stronger division culture. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement, requiring at least 3 days in-office per week. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. What you would do in this job Provide strategic direction for division internal and external communications Lead creation and execution of short- and long-term communications strategies, ensuring alignment with division and Met Council's strategic plan. Collaborate with ES subject matter experts to develop and implement integrated communications plans to support division priorities. Listen and learn from our customers, stakeholders, and community to shape communications strategies, drive engagement, and create a meaningful, lasting impact. Build measurement strategies and assess feedback and other data to refine strategies and enhance communications outcomes. Oversee programs for communications and outreach, and content management Lead division-wide programs and services that support strategic direction, foster organizational improvement, and strengthen internal and external stakeholder trust. Oversee public outreach and involvement to ensure a transparent and inclusive process about activities that will impact them. Oversee crisis communications for rare wastewater spills. Foster positive relationships with community organizations, government agencies, and other key stakeholders to advance ES goals and improve public perception. Lead the ES Communications System, maintaining collaborative relationships with other divisions - including Central Communications and Enterprise Content Management. Team Leadership Ensure that the division's strategic plan is implemented at the department level. Foster a strong, effective team while encouraging innovation and continuous improvement. Develop and monitor work plans, performance goals, and objectives for communications, marketing, and community engagement teams. Manage department budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of relevant education and closely related experience: Master's degree and 5 years of experience, including 3 years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role. Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience, including 3 years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role. Associate's degree and 9 years of experience, including 3 years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role. Degree field should be marketing, communications, public relations, community relations, journalism, public affairs, or a related field. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): Content management leadership experience, including intranet content development, and writing policies, procedures, and work instructions. Knowledge of/experience with the Minnesota Data Practices Act and state data retention policies. Communications experience in public health, environmental issues, and/or industrial work environments. Communications experience in public infrastructure and/or public policy. Experience including underserved communities in communications strategies. What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job: Project management skills. Critical thinking, reasoning, and analysis skills. Analytical thinking, systems analysis skills. Complex problem-solving skills. Excellent written, verbal, and listening skills. Ability to manage multiple assignments, functions, projects, and initiatives simultaneously. Ability to analyze complex information, evaluate alternatives and make effective decisions, align initiatives with strategic priorities, and draw accurate conclusions. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of customers or clients. Ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions to enhance business results. Ability to make difficult decisions and act on opportunities that create value for the organization. Knowledge of public health and environmental issues. What you can expect from us: We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance. More about why you should join us! Additional information Union/Grade: Non-represented/Grade K FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No What your work environment would be: Work is performed in a standard office setting. Requires travel between primary work site to other work sites. What steps the recruitment process involves: We review your minimum qualifications. We rate your education and experience. We conduct a structured panel interview. We conduct a selection interview. You will be asked to submit a communications plan that you have previously developed. You will give a brief, executive level presentation on one of your past communications strategies. We may conduct a leadership assessment. Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then: If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety-sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety-sensitive position) and criminal background checks if the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position. IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration. The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us .