Our Ability Jobs

Working Title: Director of Legislation & External Affairs

Job Class: Human Services Program Coordinator

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID : 80378

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously.Bidders will be considered through 9/26/2024.

• Date Posted : 09/20/2024

• Closing Date : 10/03/2024

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

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

• Work Shift: Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $39.34 - $58.47 / hourly; $82,141 - $122,085 / 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 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) and flexible hours options are available .*

Serve as Director of Legislation and External Affairs for assigned administration(s) and division(s) in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). 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. This position represents a portfolio of programs and services among those 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.

Responsibilities include:

• 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, day and year for each job held.

Four (4) years of professional experience managing or leading policy efforts and/or a legislative program. Experience must include:

• Understanding of strategic planning and state legislative and 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, including experience drafting legislation.

• Experience working directly with legislators, legislative staff, and lobbyists on policy and budget matters

• Experience with public speaking that includes answering questions from the audience, courtroom experience, and/or providing testimony 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 ofpolicy and procedures related to programs managed by DCYF, 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 and early education programs.

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

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.