Job Information
State of Minnesota Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety & Permanency - Department of Children, Youth, and Families in St. Paul, Minnesota
Job Class: Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety & Permanency
Agency: Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 04/19/2024
Closing Date : 05/13/2024
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : DCYF / DCYF Managers
Division/Unit : Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - up to 25%
Salary Range: $57.35 - $82.11 / hourly; $119,746 - $171,445 / annually
Classified Status : Stat Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 / Manager/Unrep
Telework Eligible : Yes - This position may allow for a mixture of working in our office and Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) .
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
NOTE: A hiring incentive may be available.
Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.
The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
We are excited to introduce the leadership role of Assistant Commissioner of Child Safety and Permanency in preparation for the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The Assistant Commissioner will begin work at DCYF upon establishment in July 2024.
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. DCYF will be established in July 2024 and fully staffed by July 2025.
The Assistant Commissioner of Child Safety and Permanency will manage and direct the operations of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ Child Safety and Permanency administration and ensure children and families are the focus of the administration’s programs, services, public policy, and priorities and that programs are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the state. The child and safety permanency administration includes child to an array of programs and services for vulnerable children and their families, spanning the spectrum of prevention, early intervention, child protection, placement, Indian Child Welfare, permanency and adoption, and post adoption services.
Major roles include building strategic vision and planning, accounting for greater equity in child, youth, and single adult outcomes; disparity reduction; implementing administration-wide objectives in coordination with partners and service providers reflecting and being accountable to the needs of community; fostering a culture of responsiveness with all external partners and families; organizational evaluation and change; and support to DCYF managers to assure oversight, continuous quality improvement, and cost-effective state policies and programs, and appropriately maximizing federal funding.
Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:
Provide executive leadership supporting the historic launch of DCYF with change management supports and a commitment to outcomes; lead and manage division directors and other staff to develop and implement Child Safety and Permanency policies and programs, align activities with strategic priorities, and oversee implementation of quality DCYF programming that fulfills the mission of the Department.
Work across DCYF administrations, with partners and community, and across government to support the healthy development of children and youth by elevating service delivery and maximizing the use of public resources.
Serve as a child welfare and prevention leader, including to counsel and advise the Commissioner on administration related issues to support executive decisions that are aligned with DCYF goals and objectives.
Design and direct the development of legislative proposals and initiatives and coordinate legislative activities within the administration, including testifying before legislative hearings.
Center service delivery and transformation at the community level with partnership from counties, Tribes, schools, and local governments and elevate policy decisions around child, youth, and family-centered mission and goals. Ensure community engagement and responsiveness to feedback in the development of proposals.
Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with both internal and external partners, including national and federal partners and organizations, so that mutual needs and concerns are met.
Provide overall leadership in establishing a work environment and workforce which understands and is committed to the DCYF’s mission and vision, which has the resources and tools needed to succeed, and which is prepared to meet the challenges of the future.
Cultivate and promote an equitable and inclusive work environment for all with respect to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.
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.
Five (5) years of extensive managerial experience in developing, leading, and managing public-facing initiatives in the areas of strategic planning and leadership, policy analysis, community engagement and partnership building as well as driving change and achieving program objectives including managing fiscal, capital, technical, and human resources. Experience must demonstrate the following:
Strategic and operational planning and budgeting in a complex and dynamic environment.
Organizing, directing, and implementing complex programs and practices with multiple requirements. This includes broad knowledge of and ability to explain services and systems serving children, families, and individuals (i.e. human services, education, housing and/or related fields) issues, delivery systems, funding mechanisms and roles and authorities of federal, state, and local government.
Superior written and oral communication skills, public relations and marketing experience to successfully interact, engage, cultivate strong relationships, build buy-in and establish effective partnerships with agency executive leaders, partners, legislators and staff, community groups, state employees and advocacy organizations; ability to influence leaders and decision makers; presentation and communication skills to discuss technical topics to non-technical audiences such as agency managers, legislators and members of the public; and understanding of relationships to drive effective collaboration with peers and partners.
Knowledge of issues that affect children, youth, and families, delivery systems, funding mechanisms and roles and authorities of federal, state, and local government with specific experience and expertise in the areas overseen in the child and safety permanency administration.
Management experience supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace with multiple direct reports and supporting teams through change, growth, and problem solving.
Experience working with programs that serve diverse communities.
Experience working in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism in professional settings.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills including resolving complaints and conflicts through informal and formal processes such as facilitated conversations, informal coaching, mediation and investigations.
Experience in evaluating state or federal legislation, policies, procedures, and rules and interpreting them to analyze organizational fiscal and policy impact.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, Children and Family Development, Social Work, Sociology or a closely related field.
Previous executive or leadership experience, managing major human and social services programs and operations, including strategic planning, and directing the work of managers, professional, and technical staff.
Experience responding to media requests, public meetings, orally or in writing and be skilled at responding nimbly during interviews, public meetings, and other spontaneous settings.
Experience with the political process and legislative activities such as: testimony, preparation of materials and presenting complex information to legislators or partners.
Demonstrated interest in issues facing children, youth, and families and child welfare systems.
Experience communicating and sharing information with populations with diverse learning styles and abilities.
Knowledge of public sector continuous improvement methods and their practical application.
An understanding of the role and operation of state government and the agency’s services infrastructure.
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.
Additional Requirements
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – The Department of Children, Youth, and Families 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.