Working Title: Early Childhood Communications Specialist/Communications Specialist 3

Job Class: Communications Specialist 3

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID : 83489

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Limited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 01/22/2025

• Closing Date : 01/29/2025

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

• Division/Unit : DCYF/Early Learning Services

• Work Shift : Day Shift

• Work Hours: 8:00 am-4:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $31.92 - $47.05 / hourly; $66,648 - $98,240 / annually

• Classified Status : Unclassified

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

• End Date : 01/15/2028

• 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.

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. Formerly a part of the Department of Human Services, 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 posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies*

*This position is temporary and includes full state fringe benefits; the position is expected to last for three years*

This position serves as a communications specialist tasked with communicating information in the best way possible. The position is responsible for developing and executing a sustainable and strategic communications plan for early childhood communications for the Early Learning Services Division, including targeted support for the Great Start Scholarships Program and the Preschool Development Grant. The position will work across the Early Childhood Administration to deliver high-quality, user-centered content for both internal and external partners. The position will also include supporting community engagement efforts to help ensure communications are culturally relevant, plain language, accessible and rooted in human-centered design principals.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing, maintaining, implementing and evaluating a plan for communicating information in the best way possible. The communications plan must advance early childhood communications, including for Early Learning Services, Great Start Scholarships Program and the Preschool Development Grant and establish a tone that is culturally responsive and welcoming to all families as well as programs, and partners.

• Planning and implementing web-based communication efforts and community engagement tactics.Centering the lived experiences of Minnesotans to continuously listen, understand, and embed priorities of children and families within communications work and ensure messages are reaching intended audiences. Work with community engagement contractor(s), grantees, Tribal Nations, partner organizations, and others to build and sustain relationships.

• Developing and maintaining extensive knowledge of state agency practices and priorities related to communications, and guide agency staff in work related to public communications.

• Maintaining current knowledge of accessibility standards and ensure Early Learning Services communications materials are accessible.

Minimum Qualifications

3 years professional experience planning, designing, writing, and editing print and electronic communications materials or tools. Experience must include:

• Building and implementing a communications plan for mid-large size organizations

• Composing and editing publications for a wide range of audiences

• Advanced skill in graphic design though creation of high-quality, compelling graphics, and design elements using a variety of tools and/or applications

• Applying plain language and accessibility standards to communication materials sufficient to ensure clear and concise messaging that can be accessed by all

• Planning, developing, and implementing effective communication, marketing, or public relations strategies sufficient to meet agency communication needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating communications materials for multilingual audiences

• Experience with media relations

• Experience creating marketing materials (print and electronic)

• Knowledge of early childhood or whole family landscape

• Experience communicating complex issues, orally and in writing, clearly and effectively with a wide variety of colleagues and audiences

• Experience designing effective, accessible communications materials sufficient to share technical, complex information or issues to a broad audience

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.