Communications Specialist

MISSION

Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) strengthens the enduring connection between people and the national park by stewarding the river and enriching the lives of all those who experience the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

ABOUT MPC

MPC is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a National Park Service unit located in Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro area.

We support the national park by: 

• Providing funding for youth education, natural and cultural resources, interpretation, and public programs.
• Co-managing programs to improve outcomes, including Volunteers-in-Parks, Paddle Share, Plant for the Future, and Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change.
• Supporting outreach and communication about the park through social media, the web, and in-person community programs.
• Creating connections between the national park and people in its surrounding communities.

MPC serves as a place-based nonprofit organization in the Twin Cities seeking to connect people to the outdoors through hands-on, meaningful experiences in the national park. We are a collaborative, passionate team working closely with the National Park Service, donors, volunteers, and local partners to inspire stewardship and connection to the Mississippi River and surrounding public lands. We accomplish this through habitat restoration events, community and corporate volunteerism, and affinity and public programs on the river and in the park. To learn more about MPC, visit our website at parkconnection.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Job Title: Communications Specialist
Location: Mississippi Park Connection / National Park Service Office – Saint Paul, MN 
Reports To: Communications Manager
Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week) 
Salary: $25-$27/hour depending on experience 
Benefits: Mississippi Park Connection offers generous benefits including a 50 percent match for health care premiums, 401k match (up to 5 percent), paid time off, a $100/month transportation stipend, professional development, and opportunities to recreate on the river.

Mississippi Park Connection is seeking a full-time Communications Specialist to support the organization’s communications, marketing, events, and digital engagement efforts. This position plays a key role in mission-centered storytelling, helping translate MPC’s stewardship work, habitat restoration efforts, community programs, and co-managed initiatives with the National Park Service into accessible, engaging communications for the public. All communications should reflect MPC’s commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and community connection along the Mississippi River.

Specifically, the Communication Specialist is responsible for producing compelling digital content, designing visual collateral, maintaining the organization-wide communications calendar, supporting events and event marketing, and providing customer service support. Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist ensures MPC’s public-facing communications are timely, inclusive, visually compelling, and aligned with the organization’s brand and mission.

Priority deadline to apply is January 20, 2026, with rolling applications accepted until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is February 17, 2026. Email your resume and cover letter to Laurie Moberg at lmoberg@parkconnection.org.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications Strategy & Messaging

• Support the development and implementation of the organization’s communications strategy in collaboration with the Communications Manager.
• Translate program goals and impact into clear, compelling messages for public audiences.
• Ensure brand, tone, and style consistency for all organizational messaging, emphasizing inclusive and accessible communication.
• Contribute ideas for storytelling approaches that highlight stewardship, community connection, and partnership with the National Park Service.

Content & Digital Communications

• Write, edit, and proofread content for newsletters, website pages, blog posts, donor communications, fact sheets, and reports.
• Create, schedule, and publish content across MPC’s social media platforms in alignment with the overall communications strategy.
• Prepare monthly e-newsletters and coordinate email marketing campaigns using Mailchimp, including basic audience segmentation.
• Maintain, manage, and update website content.
• Gather stories, quotes, photos, and information from staff, partners, volunteers, and program participants to support communications and outreach.
• Monitor digital analytics (social media, email, and web) and compile monthly summaries to inform improvements.
• Incorporate accessibility best practices into digital communications including alt text, readable formatting, and captioning when feasible.
• Assist in drafting communcations materials such as press releases, media pitches, event promotions, and other content as directed.

Design & Visual Content Production

• Design digital and print collateral including flyers, brochures, social media graphics, event materials, and signage using established brand guidelines and best practices.
• Prepare and format communications materials using content provided by staff.
• Capture photo and video content at events, programs, and volunteer activities, and organize media assets for storytelling and outreach.
• Create inclusive, community-centered visual materials that reflect MPC’s mission and brand standards.
• Support digital promotion for organizational campaigns and co-managed programs such as Paddle Share and Volunteers-In-Parks.

Administrative & Events Support

• Support internal communications, organizing communications files, and other communications projects as directed by the Communications Manager.
• Provide communications and administrative support for events and programs including scheduling assistance, preparing materials, and on-site support as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

Required:

• Experience in communications, marketing, digital media, graphic design, journalism, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate mission-centered content clearly and inclusively.
• Experience creating content for social media platforms and email marketing tools (Mailchimp preferred).
• Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to provide friendly, timely customer service via phone and email, particularly related to events and programs.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative working style and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Alignment with MPC’s mission, values, and dedication to connecting people with the Mississippi River.

Preferred:

• Experience designing for both digital and print formats.
• Experience capturing photography or videography for storytelling purposes.
• Experience in nonprofits, community-based organizations, or environmental/outdoor programs.
• Knowledge of accessibility best practices for digital communications.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Some lifting up to 25 pounds may be required (supplies, equipment, materials).
• Moderate noise level.
• Ability to move about an office environment, sit for extended periods, and participate in community-based events.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work outdoors for events, programs, and meetings along the Mississippi River.
• Ability to work in person from MPC’s Saint Paul offices (flexible schedules may be discussed).
• Ability to travel within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor.
• Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and qualify to drive a federal vehicle.
• Ability to pass a federal background investigation for PIV card, federal vehicle use, and federal building access.

Mississippi Park Connection is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At MPC, we recognize that our effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, operations, culture, and staffing. MPC is committed to building a diverse community that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. MPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.