Working Title: Digital Communications Coordinator

Job Class: Communications Specialist 2

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID : 82714

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 12/30/2024 date. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position.

• Date Posted : 12/23/2024

• Closing Date : 01/06/2025

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office MAPE

• Division/Unit : DCYF Equity and External Relations Division / Communications

• Work Shift: Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $28.82 - $42.31 / hourly; $60,176 - $88,343 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.

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.

In the 2023 legislative session, the Governor’s Office, Minnesota legislature, and leaders for children and families worked in partnership to pass legislation establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a sustainable, public face for children’s issues in state government. This new cabinet-level agency brings together programs centered on children and families, including child care and early learning, child support, child safety and permanency, economic support and food assistance, and youth opportunity. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Agency became effective on July 1, 2024.

* Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states only; telework is not allowed in other states ) and flexible hours options are available .* This position does require occasional meetings and trainings at the Lafayette building in St. Paul, MN.

As Communications Coordinator, you will support the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in its mission by providing communications expertise and coordination across the agency. This position helps ensure transparency in the agency’s efforts to improve equity in service delivery and accountability to the people of Minnesota. Primarily, the Communications Coordinator serves as the point person for collection, assessment and distribution of internal and external news agencywide. This includes serving as editor for the agency's official news source for more than 900 employees statewide; coordinating with other team members to ensure alignment with external communications; and performing a broad range of communications activities to help achieve agency objectives. Responsibilities include:

• Manage the department’s social media strategy, platforms and engagement across multiple channels, including creating content and providing expertise to content contributors.

• Serve as editor of DCYF’s official employee communications mechanism and other internal communications.

• Work with a centralized communications team to plan and implement externalcommunications projects and events.

• Provide foundational support that advance the team’s core activities including writing, editing, website updates using a content management system and other communication tactics.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Two (2) years of experience creating, implementing, and coordinating communication projects and initiatives across a wide range of mediums. Experience must clearly demonstrate:

• Demonstrated ability to write and edit clearly in both the journalistic and standard office styles and in plain language.

• Experience in event planning and project management.

• Strong organizational skills and independent work skills, as well as the ability to meet strict deadlines and balance multiple demands simultaneously.

• Knowledge of public relations principles, practices and techniques.

*A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of applying plain language, and ADA accessibility requirements.

• Experience managing social media.

• Ability to research solutions to problems of various complexity and present options for group decision making.

• Experience working in communications for large organizations.

• Experience creating easy to understand summaries and visualizations for website, social media, and other engagement platforms focusing on plain language and accessibility.

• Variety of experience working effectively with others from different backgrounds and/or cultures.

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DCYF will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

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.