Working Title: Communications or Sustainability Student Worker

Job Class: Student Worker Para Professional Senior

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 79622

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Part-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Limited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 08/27/2024

• Closing Date : 09/17/2024

• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

• Division/Unit : Environmental Health/ Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit (EIA)

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day shift; 8:00am-12:00pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $19.56 - $23.26 / hourly

• Classified Status : Unclassified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 207 – American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME Technical, Council No. 5)

• Work Area : Freeman Building - St Paul, MN

• End Date : 06/30/2025

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Are you passionate about climate change, sustainability, and public health? The Minnesota Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division is seeking two (2) Student Worker Paraprofessional Seniors within the Environmental Impacts Analysis (EIA) Unit; there is a need for a Sustainability Student Worker and a Communications Student Worker.

As a Sustainability Student Worker , you will assist with the planning and administration of projects primarily related to sustainability. The student will support agency goals related to sustainability (primary project) and climate change and health equity (secondary project). For the primary project, the Sustainability Student Worker will develop and implement a plan to improve agency waste reduction, sustainable procurement, staff engagement, and other elements of the agency sustainability plan. The student will evaluate current practices and make suggestions to reduce overall waste, improve diversion to recycling and organic waste collection, and implement sustainable procurement guidelines.

As a Communications Student Worker, you will assist the Minnesota Climate & Health Program. The incumbent will work under the direction of the program’s communicator and its director. The Minnesota Climate & Health Program (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/climate/about.html) focuses on improving our ability to protect public health and prevent further harms from climate change. This student position would work with communicators, planners, and epidemiologists on communications to adapt and respond to climate change and its impacts on public health. The student’s role will be to research, write, edit, and coordinate a strategic communications campaign on the human health impacts of climate change, specifically developing a social media campaign on extreme heat and poor air quality.

Both positions may have the option of some teleworking; however, it will be based on the business needs of the unit and is at supervisory discretion. Employees may telework from Minnesota or a neighboring state (Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota) under the normal telework agreement.

This vacancy announcement will be used to fill up to two (2) Student Worker Paraprofessional positions.

This position is part-time and hours will range from 10-20 hours per week, as arranged with the supervisor. The specific hours and days of work are flexible within the normal work week, i.e., Monday through Friday. This position is anticipated to last until the end of June 2025.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of two years of post-secondary education

Student Worker Eligibility: To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker Paraprofessional Senior you must be enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program or plan to enroll within three months. Students may be "off" for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as a student worker, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year. If you are enrolled at a credit-granting institution, you must carry at least six semester/nine quarter credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, you must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load will be treated as a semester/quarter off. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation. You will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment.

Additional minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process:

• Active learning skills including asking questions, searching for information, reading relevant literature, applying new concepts, and learning new technologies.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to prepare reports; create technical documents; prepare and deliver presentations; collaborate on projects; and establish and maintain good working relationships with others.

• Time management skills and ability to work independently; ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks and projects.

Preferred Qualifications for Sustainability Student Worker :

• Educational interest in areas such as environmental science, sustainability, public health, social science, or related field.

• Intermediate skills in problem assessment, summarizing findings, and communicating to different professional audiences, including leadership and decision makers.

• Intermediate understanding of how solid waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and an interest in solid waste reduction across an organization, sustainable procurement strategies, climate action, and behavior change communications.

• Knowledge of sustainability practices.

• Knowledge of basic research methods to conduct online research.

• Media literacy to identify reliable sources of information.

Preferred Qualifications for Communications Student Worker :

• Educational interest in areas such as environmental science, sustainability, public health, social science, or related field.

• Advanced skills in strategic communications or journalism and an interest in public health, climate action, and behavior change communications. Elevated sense of design, color, and typography.

• Knowledge of the health impacts of climate change.

• Knowledge of basic research methods to conduct online research.

• Media literacy to identify reliable sources of information.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a reference and background check.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made 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 . Please indicate what assistance is needed.