Our Ability Jobs

Working Title: African American Child Welfare Policy Consultant

Job Class: Human Services Program Representative 2

Agency: Children, Youth and Families Department

• Job ID : 80943

• 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 10/28/2024. 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 : 10/21/2024

• Closing Date : 11/12/2024

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

• Division/Unit : DCYF/ Child Safety and Permanency Administration/African American Child Well-being Unit

• Work Shift : Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $31.92 - $47.05 / hourly; $66,648 - $98,240 / 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. 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 job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

*We're hiring for seven open positions in our African American Child Well-Being Unit! We are holding a virtual Showcase on 10/30 to discuss the work that this unit does, as well as a virtual Information Session on 11/2 to discuss all of the openings and answer questions from potential applicants! Click here to learn more: https://dcyf.mn.gov/careers

The African American Child and Family Well Being Policy Consultant will lead and coordinate systems level policy strategies and provide leadership and technical expertise to advance the departments’ mission to prevent child maltreatment of children of African American and African heritage and promote family well-being and preservation. The person in this position will support child safety and best practices for culturally affirming prevention and family preservation strategies and a child welfare system response focused on understanding and addressing the disproportionate overrepresentation in Minnesota’s child protection, foster care, and permanency systems for African American children and families.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with all partners to co-develop policy, practice, systems, and environmental change strategies to promote the well-being of children of African American or African heritage entering or involved in the child welfare system.

• Build relationships with key policy stakeholders, engage with internal and external relations and dialogue that will result in strong partnerships to advance policy equity and inclusion efforts and innovative projects that support the African American Child and Family Well Being Unit. Support a team approach to building equity and inclusion into all policy work related to supporting family and community well-being.

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.

Three (3) years of professional experience in social work and/or case management in child welfare (i.e. safety, foster care, and or adoption). Experience must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of federal and state child welfare statutes, particularly child protection and out-of-home placement.

• Experience leading a team or serving as a lead within a similar team, project, or workgroup

• Experience working with diverse communities experiencing overrepresentation and disproportionality in the child welfare system.

A Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, child welfare practice or a related field may substitute for 1 year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

• Master’s degree in social work, human services or related field.

• Strong group facilitation skills in setting project goals, expectations and planning time lines.

• Strong child welfare experience in county or tribal social service agency.

• Ability to research and learn federal and state child welfare laws and practices and write bulletins, summaries, reports and other documents in a clear, concise and professional manner.

• Experience leading or participating in workgroups, committees, councils, or similar entities.

• Ability to plan, execute and meet competing priorities and deadlines in a timely manner.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience participating in or leading agency child welfare initiatives and projects.

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.