Community Outreach Organizer

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is a statewide coalition of environmental and conservation nonprofits and other organizations that align with MEP’s mission and collaborative approach. Our coalition exists to help diverse environmental nonprofits be successful by working together. The mission of MEP is to make that success possible by strengthening the effectiveness and building the power of our members to achieve the highest quality natural environment for all Minnesotans.

More than 70 nonprofits throughout the state are members of MEP and work together on the most pressing issues facing Minnesota’s Great Outdoors by sharing information, planning and implementing policy campaigns, and “speaking with one voice” on critical environmental issues.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: MEP Executive Director

JOB STATUS: contract or .5 FTE temporary part-time non-exempt six month staff position.

COMPENSATION: $25/hour or comparable negotiated contract

LOCATION:

MEP has offices in St. Paul and Duluth, and this position may work from one of these locations, hybrid or remotely with periodic check-ins.

PRIMARY PURPOSES OF THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZER POSITION:

The Community Outreach Organizer will play a key role in helping with the successful launch of the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Community Grants Program. This program is a major state investment in community level efforts to protect and restore our natural environment. The DNR is currently preparing to offer the initial round of requests for proposals from a pool of over $50 million in available funds.

MEP has been actively engaged in the development and enactment of the Community Grants program from the program’s inception and is now working to raise awareness of this new program in community organizations across the state and help provide access to tools and resources to assist in submission of successful proposals. MEP is an active member of the Friends of the ENRTF Community Grants group, and this position will engage with and support the work of this group to raise awareness of this program.

By statute, this Community Grants Program must:

1) expand the number and diversity of recipients who benefit from this new funding program, especially in communities that have been adversely affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and

2) ensure all regions of the state benefit. These benefits include projects that expand environmental education on land, air, and water stewardship, as well as projects that preserve and protect our state’s natural resources.

• Working with the Friends group and partners; recruit and identify organizations that have an interest in doing engagement and education within their networks as well as other groups interested in direct outreach. Seek and develop opportunities to train community representatives – through other entities, organizations and networks – on the program and best approaches to Community Grants outreach.
• Work to ensure awareness of the program is elevated, and engagement occurs in all regions of the state and across social groups. In addition to statewide efforts, special focus will be provided to central and NE Minnesota as well as the counties of Hennepin and Ramsey.
• Develop and help provide onboarding training for partner organizations and others that will be doing outreach in their communities. Coordinate planning, tools, training, outreach & tracking. This will be done through in-person meetings, as well as virtual training when needed.
• Jointly develop needed educational materials, tools and support for groups doing community engagement.
• Develop protocols to ensure people are communicating and documenting their outreach in a standard process.
• Coordinate overall community outreach plan, schedule and track activities.
• Assist with other tasks as requested and needed to complement and support other staff and related work.

Minimum qualifications:

• Commitment to the work and values of Minnesota Environmental Partnership
• Demonstrated successful experience in working with diverse communities and…