Employment Opportunities

The Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) staff is responsible for a variety of tasks related to the District’s mission, including watershed rules and permitting, water quality monitoring, education and outreach, water resource improvement projects and more. CMSCWD is an equal opportunity employer.

Current Openings

Communications, Outreach, and Program Specialist

The Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) is seeking an experienced communications professional to lead public communications, outreach, and marketing while supporting Board communications and communication-related District programs.

This position will help residents, landowners, partners, and local officials understand why the District’s work matters, how its programs operate, and how they can participate in protecting and restoring the hundreds of wetlands, 31 lakes, 21 streams, and 18 miles of St. Croix River within the District.

CMSCWD is a small local unit of government where staff work closely with one another, consultants, partner organizations, and the Board of Managers. The successful candidate will bring strong communications skills, initiative, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to a position that combines strategic communications leadership with focused Board and program support.

Position at a Glance

  • Full-time regular position, 40 hours per week

  • Location: CMSCWD office, Stillwater, Minnesota

  • Starting salary: $67,000–$74,000, depending on qualifications and experience

  • Full benefits package

  • Occasional evening and weekend work required

What You Will Do

  • Lead development and implementation of a District communications and marketing plan, including an annual communications calendar and strategies for key audiences.

  • Create clear, consistently branded materials for the website, social media, newsletters, presentations, public notices, project updates, meeting handouts, signage, graphics, and other public communications.

  • Develop success stories and before-and-after project profiles highlighting landowner partnerships, capital improvements, grants, volunteer efforts, and measurable progress toward watershed goals.

  • Translate regulatory and technical information into plain-language fact sheets, frequently asked questions, checklists, flowcharts, and “before you begin” guidance.

  • Support grant writing, grant reporting, annual reporting, program tracking, and documentation of District accomplishments.

  • Support public-facing Board communications, including packet formatting and distribution, action summaries, public notices, website updates, annual report communications, and meeting follow-up.

  • Coordinate with cities, townships, Washington County, Washington Conservation District, EMWREP, lake associations, consultants, and other partners to share accurate and accessible information.

Minimum Qualifications

At least five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, marketing, outreach, journalism, graphic design, public administration, natural resources, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, vocational training, and professional experience.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to write and edit clear public-facing content, translate technical information for nontechnical audiences, manage multiple projects and deadlines, and produce high-quality materials with strong attention to detail. Proficiency with common office, website, digital communication, and document-design tools; effective interpersonal and verbal communication skills; and a valid driver’s license with a good driving record are required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with communications planning, public engagement, program marketing, visual branding, social media, websites, grant applications, natural resources, watershed management, local government, regulatory programs, or voluntary landowner programs is preferred. Familiarity with graphic-design or content-management software and photography, video, mapping, or data-visualization tools is also desirable.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and up to three representative work samples or a link to a professional portfolio by email to mike.isensee@cmscwd.org.

Application deadline: 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Work samples may include public information materials, articles, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, graphic materials, reports, presentations, or similar products. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted directly.

Position Announcement and Workplan