Easter Seals Jobs

Working Title: Strategic Community Engagement and Partnership Director

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID : 82871

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Regular

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers.

• Opening Date: 12/27/2024

• Closing Date : 01/16/2025

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children, Youth, and Families Dept /DCYF Central Office

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

• Work Shift : Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00am - 4:30pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, up to 20% for conferences, partnerships, meetings, events

• Salary Range: $43.38 - $62.41 / hourly; $90,577 - $130,312 / annually

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep

• 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. 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. *

As the Strategic Community Engagement and Partnership Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and implementation for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) agency-wide engagement and partnership initiatives. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing engagement strategies, processes, and systems to ensure that the agency effectively engages and partners with diverse stakeholders, integrates community perspectives, and aligns with DCYF’s mission and vision, all while advancing equity by ensuring that all actions and decisions are equitable and inclusive.

The Director will play a key role in equipping DCYF staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to lead and embed effective and equitable engagement throughout the agency's efforts. The position requires independent decision-making, program oversight, and a high level of responsibility for managing sensitive, high-impact initiatives across divisions and external organizations. Responsibilities include:

• Defining and embedding engagement and partnership across DCYF, operationalizing agency’s engagement framework.

• Develop and manage strategic engagement systems, programming, initiatives, and projects to improve and develop agency engagement knowledge, practices, systems, and culture. Connecting and systematizing engagement efforts.

• Actively develop effective relationships with staff, leadership, partners, community organizations, and communities.

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.

• Demonstrated leadership experience. Leadership experience can include:

• Experience as a supervisor, lead worker, team lead, project lead;

• Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);

• A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG) - experience must include:

• 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions

• 100+ hours per year time commitment

AND

Five (5) years of extensive senior leadership experience focused on engaging with communities, building partnerships, and conducting outreach in culturally diverse populations. Experience must include:

• Experience in a large organization (500+ employees) with the ability to navigate complex structures, manage diverse stakeholder relationships, and apply diplomatic skills and cultural awareness to foster inclusive engagement and partnerships with staff, organizations, and the general public.

• A strong understanding of the theoretical frameworks and knowledge foundations of culturally responsive approaches, community engagement, partnership development, and outreach strategies.

• Proven expertise in developing engagement systems, strategies, and training programs that foster processes and outcomes connecting community partners and community with internal teams, ensuring culturally responsive and equitable service delivery.

• Experience leading committees or councils, ensuring diverse and inclusive participation, driving collaboration to achieve partnership goals, and aligning group efforts with broader organizational objectives

• Expertise in analyzing community needs and translating them into actionable strategies that enhance service delivery and drive positive outcomes.

• Background in leading people-centered strategies and embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into engagement efforts, with the ability to provide high-level strategic guidance on initiatives that promote inclusivity and equity.

• In-depth understanding of intersectionality and the social determinants of health, particularly in relation to the lived experiences of children, youth, and families.

• Experience in designing and delivering engagement-focused training, curriculum development, and workshops that support organizational goals and community needs.

• Proven ability to lead dynamic engagement efforts, confidently facilitate conversations and presentations, energize and motivate diverse groups, and proactively pull people into discussions and decision-making processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Community Development, Diversity and Inclusion, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Extensive experience managing community engagement strategies in large organizations, especially those that serve children, youth, and families.

• Experience with grant writing.

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

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.