Communications Specialist – Education & Community Engagement
September 16, 2025
100 Red Rock Road, Newport, MN 55055
Annual Salary Range: $62,805.80 – $94,999.40
Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) is searching for a Communications Specialist that can provide support for education and community engagement activities. This position will report to a staff person within the programs department of R&E and will primarily focus on educational efforts related to waste and recycling systems, leading tours of the R&E Center, and engaging with community members to inform R&E priorities. Ideal candidates will have knowledge and experience in developing and implementing meaningful educational experiences and community engagement strategies with diverse audiences.
R&E is a joint powers entity formed by Ramsey and Washington Counties. R&E coordinates recycling and waste programs between the two counties and owns and operates the R&E Center in Newport, Minnesota. R&E’s vision is vibrant, healthy communities without waste. R&E accomplishes its mission through partnerships and innovation.
This is non-exempt work including, but not limited to, the following duties:
- Support and facilitate R&E Center tours and collaborate with staff from R&E, Ramsey County and Washington County to continuously improve tour experiences. Tours include guiding different groups through the R&E Center, providing an educational experience, managing and adapting to the group needs, and ensuring the safety of visitors.
- Utilize community engagement strategies to collect community input, develop relationships and guide future program changes. Improve existing (and develop new) ways to engage R&E audiences in programming, tours and educational efforts. Standardize processes to collect and utilize input from engagement activities.
- Work collaboratively with staff from R&E, Ramsey County and Washington County in developing and implementing joint educational and engagement strategies to ensure consistent approaches, common language, coordinated messages and effective feedback loops.
- Coordinate workflows and track progress with contracted vendors to design and develop assets, messages and other materials.
- Support internal communications, including maintaining files and communication channels, facilitating internal staff communications and facilitating communications with county staff.
- Working with county and R&E staff, develop strategic partnerships with public, private and non- profit organizations to enhance efforts in communicating about food scrap recycling.
- Collaborate with county and R&E staff, as well as numerous stakeholders, to develop and implement effective education and engagement plans, strategies and materials to promote programs and related activities.
- Coordinate involvement in special events, media relations, presence on the internet and other electronic media, mass mailings, annual reports, signage and other informational and promotional documents.
- Produce informational products by working with outside vendors to ensure quality, plain language, accuracy and tone. Ensure translation of materials. Arrange for the appropriate distribution of materials in collaboration with staff from the two counties.
- Collaborate with staff from R&E and both counties to identify opportunities to advance progress on R&E goals.
- Gather information and evaluate data to assemble a variety of reports, charts or manuals and conduct research on special projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, behavioral sciences, marketing, environmental sciences, journalism, business administration, public administration or a closely related field.
Experience: Four (4) years’ experience in education, communications, marketing, community engagement, program coordination, project management, public sector service delivery, or a closely related field. Preference given for experience in solid waste management and environmental fields, place-based and interactive educational planning and delivery, and experience leading education for community members across varying demographics – in particular K-12 groups.
Substitution: Master’s degree in any of the above areas of study and two (2) years of the required work experience above. An associate’s degree in any of the above areas of study and six (6) years of the required work experience above.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: High School diploma, GED or equivalent
Experience: An equivalent combination of education and experience listed above to total eight (8) or more years. Preference given for experience in solid waste management and environmental fields.
Licensure: A valid Class D driver’s license is required.
Job Description
A detailed job description can be found here Communications Specialist
Benefits
This position a benefits eligible position. A summary of benefits available to R&E non-union employees can be found here: Non-Represented Summary of Benefits
Posting Timeframe
Position open until filled. Applicants should respond promptly as the initial review of applications and supplemental questions will occur on Wednesday, October 8th.
To Apply
All steps must be completed for an application to be considered. Please submit all attachments (e.g., resume, cover letter, portfolio) in PDF format to ensure documents are readable and can be thoroughly reviewed. The job application and supplemental questions are both fillable-PDFs. Learn how to use fillable PDFs
- Complete the job application (Save in PDF format if possible)
- Thoroughly answer all Supplemental Questions – Comm Spec (Edu/Comm Eng). (Save in PDF format if possible)
- Send completed job application and supplemental questions to Human Resources by emailing HR@recyclingandenergy.org or by mailing or delivering the application materials to: R&E Center at 100 Red Rock Rd, Newport, MN 55055
Ramsey Washington Recycling & Energy provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, public assistance or national origin.