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Working Title: Assistant Director of Government Relations - State Prog Admin Manager

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager

Agency: Education Department

• Job ID : 79719

• Location : Minneapolis

• Telework Eligible : Yes - Telework arrangements may be possible. You will discuss your preferences and requirements of the position and complete a telework agreement. Employees do need to reside in MN or a border state and may need to report to the office on a periodic basis. Work during legislative sessions will require employee to be in person.

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 08/30/2024

• Closing Date : 09/19/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Education Department / MDE-CO-Managerial

• Division/Unit : Education-St Paul / Government Relations

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $40.26 - $58.20 / hourly; $84,062 - $121,521 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

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

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.

As the Assistant Director of Government Relations for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), you will provide significant management and coordination of the MDE government relations and policy functions for the agency, and will work cross functionally with the Governor's Office, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), members of the Minnesota Legislature and staff, members of Minnesota U.S. Congress and staff and other appropriate state and federal agencies. You will work at the direction of MDE's Director of Government Relations to help represent the Department in legislative matters. You will drive impactful work to lead the annual education and budget setting process from concept to completion. Duties will include:

• Collaborating within the agency in the preparation and presentation of administration bills related to PreK through adult basic education;

• Working with other MDE divisions to determine policy and budgetary requests and needs;

• Supervisory responsibilities within a government relations team;

• Coordinate Department positions policy and fiscal proposals to ensure the best interests of students in the State of Minnesota;

• Attending and monitoring legislative hearings and attending meetings with legislative members and staff;

• Interacting with external education partners to solicit ideas, feedback on agency priorities, and act as a liaison for agency matters;

• Developing summaries of legislative session outcomes and presenting to a range of partners, internal and external to the administration;

• Assisting MDE divisions in interpreting legislative intent.

Minimum Qualifications

5 years of progressively responsible government affairs experience in a state, tribal, federal or local government.

OR

A bachelor's or master's degree AND 4 years of progressively responsible government affairs experience in a state, tribal, federal or local government.

Experience must include:

• Knowledge and experience in development of proposal packages;

• Experience as a team lead or manager/supervisor;

• Experience independently creating policy;

• Experience with public speaking;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written as well as advocacy and negotiation;

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain internal and external relationships;

• Strong analytical skills allowing for evaluation, review and critique of proposed policy and legislation to thoughtfully respond and anticipate questions and concerns from a variety of partners;

• Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously;

• Knowledge of State policies, procedures, and practices in the areas of education;

• Demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of employees to articulate issues concisely and effectively;

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of communication strategies and practices sufficient to disseminate information to a wide audience;

• Excellent human relations skills to work with many different types of individuals from legislators to staff to lobbyists;

• Knowledge and experience in the development and formulation of statewide education aid budgets;

• Knowledge and experience in the development and formulation of state agency operating budgets;

• Knowledge and experience in the development and formulation of state policy proposal packages;

• Past supervisory experience;

• Strong experience championing issues related to educational equity;

• Demonstrated capacity to communicate complicated information effectively to a variety of audiences;

• Demonstrated ability to build and support diverse coalitions in a respectful and inclusive manner.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)

• Employment Reference Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Education will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

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.