Minnesota / Natural Resources Department / Communications Specialist 2

Job-title file

Communications Specialist 2

Coordinate and deliver a specific program area, supporting planning, outreach, and daily operations.

18 employees hold this title in Natural Resources Department. Median total compensation for the role is $83,006, above the department median of $66,596.

Employees: 18
Total payroll: $1.4M
Role median: $83,006
Agency median: $66,596
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$33,258$88,021+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 18 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across Minnesota

Communications Specialist 2 is held in 26 Minnesota departments. In Natural Resources Department, the median of $83,006 ranks #9 of 26.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Veterans Affairs Department

$91,966 · 2

Secretary of State

$87,888 · 1

Labor & Industry Department

$87,877 · 3

Minnesota IT Services

$87,473 · 4

Animal Health Board

$86,154 · 2

Transportation Department

$84,567 · 3

Health Department

$83,903 · 18

Lottery

$83,764 · 4

Employ & Econ Development Department

$82,723 · 3

Pollution Control Agency

$82,531 · 3

Disability Council

$80,366 · 1

MN St Colleges & Universities

$78,163 · 5

Median total compensation for the Communications Specialist 2 role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Communications Specialist beyond Minnesota

This role is reported in 11 jurisdictions. In Minnesota, the median of $84,381 ranks #4 of 11. See Communications Specialist across all of Minnesota →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

City and County of San Francisco

$199,185 · 19

City of Las Vegas

$103,803 · 93

District of Columbia

$103,510 · 10

Louisville Metro, Kentucky

$52,783 · 7

South Carolina

$50,825 · 23

Johnson County, Kansas

$45,515 · 10

New York Public Authorities

$44,581 · 9

Georgia

$43,591 · 7

Median total compensation for comparable Communications Specialistroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Kristi Coughlon

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$88,079

Sub-department: OSD OCO R1 Officer
Base pay: $87,508
Overtime: $571
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,079
Hire date: 2011-06-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Kristi Coughlon serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Osd Oco R1 Officer. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $88,079. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Thomas Klein

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,909

Sub-department: ECO Waters County Bio Surveys
Base pay: $87,846
Overtime: $63
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,909
Hire date: 1989-04-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Thomas Klein works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters County Bio Surveys. Hired in 1989, they have about 36 years of service as a full-time employee. Thomas earned $87,909 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Deborah Locke

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,888

Sub-department: PAT-CO-Public Relations
Base pay: $87,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,888
Hire date: 2016-08-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Deborah Locke holds the role of Communications Specialist 2 at Natural Resources Department within Pat-Co-Public Relations. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $87,888. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Julie Forster

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,888

Sub-department: OSD OCO Volunteer Magazine
Base pay: $87,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,888
Hire date: 2012-11-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Julie Forster is a Communications Specialist 2 at Natural Resources Department within Osd Oco Volunteer Magazine. Hired in 2012, they have about 13 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $87,888. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Peter Takash

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,888

Sub-department: F&W Public Relations
Base pay: $87,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,888
Hire date: 2007-09-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Peter Takash works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within F&W Public Relations. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service as a full-time employee. Peter earned $87,888 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Lynn Phelps

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,888

Sub-department: OSD OCO Volunteer Magazine
Base pay: $87,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,888
Hire date: 2006-10-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Lynn Phelps works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within Osd Oco Volunteer Magazine. Hired in 2006, they have about 19 years of service as a full-time employee. Lynn earned $87,888 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Lori Naumann

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$87,888

Sub-department: Wildlife Engagement Department
Base pay: $87,888
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,888
Hire date: 1987-02-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Lori Naumann serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Wildlife Engagement Department. They have served since 1987 (about 38 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $87,888. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Robert Boos

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$85,773

Sub-department: ECOWaters Comm & Planning Svcs
Base pay: $85,773
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,773
Hire date: 2015-07-20
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Robert Boos serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Ecowaters Community & Planning Services. Hired in 2015, they have about 10 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $85,773. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Cheri Zeppelin

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$84,293

Sub-department: OSD OCO R2 Officer
Base pay: $84,293
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,293
Hire date: 2011-11-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Itasca

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Cheri Zeppelin serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Osd Oco R2 Officer. Their tenure dates to 2011, about 13 years, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $84,293. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

David Schueller

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$81,719

Sub-department: F&W Public Relations
Base pay: $81,719
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,719
Hire date: 2014-04-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

David Schueller works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within F&W Public Relations. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. David earned $81,719 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Mollie Gudim

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$79,220

Sub-department: L&M Mine Permit & Coord Supv
Base pay: $79,220
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,220
Hire date: 2018-12-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Mollie Gudim serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within L&M Mine Permit & Coordinator Supervisor. Their tenure dates to 2018, about 7 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $79,220. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Lauren Peck

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$78,617

Sub-department: OSD OCO R3 Officer
Base pay: $78,389
Overtime: $228
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,617
Hire date: 2023-08-30
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Lauren Peck serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Osd Oco R3 Officer. Their tenure dates to 2023, about 2 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $78,617. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Heather Funk

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$74,790

Sub-department: PAT-R1 Itasca Asst
Base pay: $74,485
Overtime: $300
Other pay: $5
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,790
Hire date: 2008-05-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hubbard

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Heather Funk works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within Pat-R1 Itasca Assistant. They have served since 2008 (about 17 years) as a full-time employee. Heather earned $74,790 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Ashley Lemay

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$72,610

Sub-department: OSD OCO Media Unit
Base pay: $72,610
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,610
Hire date: 2024-05-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Ashley Lemay holds the role of Communications Specialist 2 at Natural Resources Department within Osd Oco Media Unit. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $72,610. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Nicole Biagi

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$71,335

Sub-department: Enforcement - BLA
Base pay: $71,300
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $34
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,335
Hire date: 2022-06-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Nicole Biagi serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Enforcement - Bla. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $71,335. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Morgan Sussman

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$64,875

Sub-department: F&W Public Relations
Base pay: $64,875
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $64,875
Hire date: 2022-02-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Morgan Sussman holds the role of Communications Specialist 2 at Natural Resources Department within F&W Public Relations. Hired in 2022, they have about 3 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $64,875. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Ingrid Johnson

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$43,750

Sub-department: OSD OCO R2 Officer
Base pay: $43,750
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,750
Hire date: 2024-11-06
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Itasca

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Ingrid Johnson serves as a Communications Specialist 2 within Osd Oco R2 Officer. Hired in 2024, they have about a year of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $43,750. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Kiersten Hansen

Communications Specialist 2/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$33,258

Sub-department: OSD OP R4 Bus Office
Base pay: $32,998
Overtime: $260
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $33,258
Hire date: 2024-08-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 11
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Brown

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kiersten Hansen works as a Communications Specialist 2 for Natural Resources Department within Osd Op R4 Bus Office. Their tenure dates to 2024, about a year as a full-time employee. Kiersten earned $33,258 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.