Community Environmental Justice Coordinator

The DNR is seeking to fill one (1) Community and Environmental Justice Coordinator position at our central office in Saint Paul, MN. This position will intend to create equitable access to tree benefits for historically underserved, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities to develop mutually beneficial relationships between people and the urban landscape, statewide.

The person in this position will use collective community engagement to develop and implement actionable solutions that equitably provide community tree benefits; connecting people to employment pathways in the tree service sector; expanding reach through internal and external partnerships; and assisting in the growth, maintenance, and planting of new trees. The intention of this role is to co-create projects and initiatives with community members that have identified their value and needs surrounding tree canopy while maintaining transparency and being flexible with emerging needs.

A critical piece of this position will also serve to develop, communicate, and implement system improvements for the Urban and Community Forestry program and the Division of Forestry. This position will serve as statewide lead in managing and implementing continuous improvement in environmental justice processes, workflow systems, and implement environmental justice opportunities into the Cooperative Forest Management unit.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify communities, develop and maintain relationships, and support where community needs and interests align with resources the Urban and Community Forestry Program, and partners can provide. 
• Create an environment where community members feel safe, heard, and encouraged to openly share their experiences and needs around trees in their community.
• Collaborate, coordinate, connect, and support environmental justice communities in meeting urban and community forestry initiatives. 
• Analyze processes, intended and actual outcomes, and communicate findings to improve environmental justice in urban and community forestry statewide. 
• Maintain, incorporate, and provide environmental justice expertise, including providing recommendations to help local, state, and national organizations overcome systemic barriers to program participation.
• Serve as resource staff to the Community / Private Lands Specialist, Section Manager, and the Division Director to assure that administrative functions, special programs and unforeseen opportunities or problems are addressed in an orderly and timely manner.
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies to enhance community environmental justice around trees and tree canopy.
• Provide support and consultation, coordinate and work with field staff and partners on urban and community forestry initiatives so that the highest priority environmental justice areas and communities are served consistent with their goals and objectives.
• Serve as statewide technical expert in community centered environmental justice so that the urban and community forestry program remains innovative and plans can be made for long-range resource needs by researching new information, advising technical staff, and integrating current techniques and best practices with scientific and political concerns.
• Direct urban and community forest program activities department-wide, inter-agency, and groups affected by program policies and procedures, so that individuals and the division work together to meet collective goals by meeting with individuals or organizations on problems or issues; collecting, assembling and providing information on resource issues; and serving as the division representative at meetings.

Normal working hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but are subject to change based on work needs; hours of work may include weekends, evenings and holidays. This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. This position will require reporting to the primary work location on a regular basis for onboarding, meetings, and work collaboration, etc. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience working with multicultural audiences in planning, implementing, and evaluating work in the areas of civic engagement and community outreach/organizing. 
  • A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Human Rights, Public Policy, Political Sciences, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources or closely related field may substitute for one year of experience.
• Experience building and maintaining trust with historically marginalized communities, including racially diverse communities, immigrant communities, or economically disadvantaged groups.
• Knowledge of justice and equity principles sufficient to foster meaningful relationships with respect to community tree development/implementation of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including project planning, organization, and implementation.
• Knowledge of basic principles of urban and community forestry.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal communications and technical/administrative writing, sufficient to organize and effectively present ideas to the intended audience clearly and respectfully promote community and urban environmental initiatives.
• Skills in negotiation, mediation and consensus building sufficient to work with diverse stakeholders and resolve conflict situations.
• Conflict navigation/human relations skills sufficient to negotiate, resolve issues, read situations and settle disputes equitably by finding common ground and cooperation, when possible.
• Skills in budgeting and finance sufficient to manage and track multiple budgets, grant agreements or contracts.
• Leadership skills sufficient to motivate, provide recognition, and gain program commitment from other staff and cooperators.
• Ability to review, interpret, and present information to recommend appropriate communication strategies.
• Ability to recognize and respect different community needs and values.
• Ability to use word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel, including utilizing technologies in virtual meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Human Rights, Public Policy, Political Sciences, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources or closely related field.
• Fluent in a second language sufficient to provide support to the diverse communities of Minnesota.
• Knowledge of area community groups, environmental justice organizations or urban and community forestry institutions
• Knowledge of DNR and division policies, procedures and operational orders.
• Community based understanding of the tree canopy gap.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations and policies related to the conservation of natural resources.
• Successful participation in the State of Minnesota Star of the North Fellowship program.