Working Title: Public Affairs Strategist

Job Class: Communications Specialist 2

Agency: Minnesota State Lottery

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted: 04/19/2024
Closing Date:04/29/2024
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota State Lottery/Lottery-MAPE
Division/Unit: Public Relations
Work Shift: Day
Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work: Monday - Friday
Travel Required: Yes
Salary Range: $27.58 - $40.49 / hourly; $57,567 - $84,543 / annually
Classified Status: Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MAPE
FLSA Status: Nonexempt
Telework Eligible: Yes (Partial)
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Lottery is seeking a motivated individual who is experienced and a dynamic individual to fill the role of the Public Affairs Strategist with the Minnesota State Lottery (MSL). This position will work to advance the MSL's image with stakeholders, including Minnesotans, players, staff, media, retail partners, Legislators and beneficiaries. They will be responsible for executing pro-active communications strategies, facilitating and advancing both internal and external communications activities, work closely with the Executive Director, Public Affairs Director, and other MSL leaders.

The Public Affairs Strategist is a member of the MSL Communications and Legislative Team, Content Creation Team, and Responsible Gambling Task Force Team.

Responsibilities include:

Building relationships and increasing engagement among stakeholders.
Developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating internal and external communication, as well as media and public relations strategies, to ensure that communication is cohesive, consistent, and effective in supporting the MSL’s mission, goals, objectives, and strategic direction.
Providing support for strategic marketing campaigns.
Fostering an inclusive work environment and positive culture through staff events and communication.
Writing and editing a variety of internal and external communications, including web content, news releases social media posts and newsletter articles.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job.

Three (3) years of experience in communications disseminating complex information and writing diverse communications for a variety of audiences. Experience must clearly demonstrate:

Expertise in organizing and maintaining content.
Strong writing and editing skills that include accessibility remediation, proper grammar and punctuation usage, accurate spelling, proofreading, and plain language skills.
Experience in understanding of different approaches for writing for print, webpage, texting and social media.
Expertise in planning, developing, and implementing effective communication strategies.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.
A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or Public Relations may substitute for one (1) year of experience***.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a similar field.
Knowledge of effective media relations strategies and media advocacy techniques and methods.
Experience with public sector organizations and the gambling industry.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

The Minnesota State Lottery will conduct a criminal background check and fingerprint check at the time of job offer for all prospective new employees.

The Minnesota State Lottery cannot hire any person who's been convicted of a felony or a crime involving fraud or misrepresentation within five years of employment or who's ever been convicted of a gambling-related offense.

In addition, the Minnesota State Lottery will perform the following background checks:

Employment Reference Checks (includes review of personnel file for current and former State of Minnesota employees)
SEMA4 Records Check (for current and former State of Minnesota employees)
Driver's License Records Verification

How To Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

To be considered for any Veteran’s Status, you must indicate this on your application and follow the instructions below:

RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS (RSV): Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five RSV applicants who apply and meet the qualifications for a vacancy shall be granted an interview. To qualify, you must meet the following: 1) have separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States; 2) have served on active duty for 181consecutive days or more or for the full period ordered to active duty or have separated by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty; 3) be a United States citizen or resident alien; and 4) have served in active military service at any time on or after September 11, 2001, as shown on your DD-214 form. To be considered under this legislation, you must: 1) meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting; 2) meet all the above RSV criteria; and 3) submit a copy of your DD-214 form by the closing date to: HRDept@mnlottery.com. Failure to submit your DD-214 form will affect your consideration for an interview under this legislation.

CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if you: 1) meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%; 2) provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability; and 3) meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting. To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation before the closing date to:

HRDept@mnlottery.com.

If you have questions about the position, contact the Human Resources office at HRDept@mnlottery.com.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to

HRDept@mnlottery.com.

About The Minnesota State Lottery

The Minnesota State Lottery exists to create a fun, quick, and thrilling form of entertainment for Minnesotans. We’re proud that a portion of Lottery proceeds goes back to the state to benefit our natural environment. We’re in the entertainment business and are always looking for more ways to have fun as a group. We would love for you to join us!

Why Work for Us

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence and understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

Public pension plan
Training and professional development
Paid vacation and sick leave
12 paid holidays each year
Paid parental leave
Low-cost medical and dental coverage
Prescription drug coverage
Vision coverage
Wellness programs and resources
Employer paid life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability
Health care spending and savings accounts
Dependent care spending account
Tax-deferred compensation
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Tuition reimbursement
Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.

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Communications Specialist 2