Working Title: Director of Legislation & External Affairs

Job Class: Human Services Program Coordinator

Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID : 77725

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 06/20/2024

• Closing Date : 07/03/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office

• Division/Unit : DHS-Central Office / DHS Leg Affairs Staff

• Work Shift: Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00am to 4:30pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, (Frequent travels to State Capital during the Legislative Session)

• Salary Range: $37.65 - $55.95 / hourly; $78,613 - $116,823 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

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

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

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

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

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. This position will become a part of DCYF.

*Telework (Within Minnesota or Neighboring States) and Flexible Hours Options Are Available.

Serve as Legislative and Policy Development Manager for assigned administration(s) and division(s) in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This position represents a portfolio of programs and services that are related to economic assistance and opportunities, food and nutrition, child support, child safety and permanency, youth justice and restorative practices, childcare, child development, early childhood education, and after school learning. This position is responsible for leading the development of department-, administration-, and division-level priority change initiatives, with a focus on initiatives that result in legislation.

Domains of responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Directing the legislative agenda for assigned administration(s) and division(s).

• Leading major policy change initiatives.

• Providing leadership and mentoring for division-level staff and legislative coordinators/leads and directing their work to develop strategic policy and budget proposals.

• Managing and improving stakeholder relations.

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 and year for each job held.

Four (4) years specialized experience managing or leading policy efforts and/or a legislative program.

Experience Must Clearly Demonstrate:

• Understanding of strategic planning and state budget processes.

• Knowledge of state and federal statutes and regulations governing programs administered by assigned administration(s) and division(s).

• Practical understanding of human services delivery systems that including inter-relationship be between counties, the state, service providers, and various internal and external stakeholders, and how these relationships impact planning efforts.

• Strong writing skills that includes experience drafting legislation.

• Experience working directly with legislators, legislative staff, and lobbyists on policy and budget matters, including experience testifying before a legislative body.

• Organizing and synthesizing materials prepared by many authors into a single, coherent document.

• Project management that includes advanced facilitation, tracking project progress, and presenting results and deliverables to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

• Strong human relations, engagement, and communication skills; communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing to respond openly to requests and concerns.

• Knowledge of human services policy and procedures, and of government functions and relations.

• Lived experience in a community more often utilizing human services programs, or passion and experience working with communities most impacted by human services programs.

• JD or master’s degree in an area related to public policy, public administration, planning or organizational development or a related field.

Additional Requirements

• The MinnesotaDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS) will conduct criminalbackgroundchecksonallfinalistsforthis position.Finalistsmustpassthe DHS backgroundcheck.

• Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance.It alsoincludescontact withtheapplicant'sformer employer(s).

• Interview process will require completion of a writing assignment.

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.