Planner Principal Communication Specialist - Paid Leave Public Engagement Specialist

Working Title: Paid Leave Public Engagement Specialist
Job Class: Planner Principal Community Specialist
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 4/5/2024.
• Date Posted: 03/30/2024
• Closing Date: 4/15/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employ & Econ Development Dept / Employ & Economic Dev-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Paid Family & Medical Leave / PFML-Management
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, working occasional evenings as needed
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday, working occasional weekends as needed
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 20% of the time
• Salary Range: $29.47 - $43.51 / hourly; $61,533 - $90,848 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible to telework up to four (4) days per week
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

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.

The Paid Leave Public Engagement Specialist, reporting to the Public Engagement Manager, is responsible for organizing and supporting equitable Public Engagement initiatives, cultivating and managing constituent relationships, and tracking and reporting on engagement activities.

About Paid Leave:

Paid Leave is a historic new program in Minnesota that will offer Minnesota workers time and financial support to care for themselves and their families while helping Minnesota businesses retain and invest in their workforce. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the program will provide job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who need time off work to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, support a family member called to active military duty, or take steps to ensure their personal safety or that of a loved one.

Employees experiencing such life events are trying to figure out benefits and keep food on the table, balancing schedules while trying to absorb complex medical information. Imagine if, amid this chaos, they discovered a Paid Leave program that is easy to navigate and access. Imagine employers clearly understanding their role, removing barriers for employees, and creating a more caring workplace. Imagine a Paid Leave program that improves the health and well-being of every person and business in Minnesota and creates a more equitable economy.

Equitable Public Engagement is the key to making this happen. It ensures that those charged with implementing the program understand the concerns and needs of Paid Leave’s diverse constituents. It drives program design, participation, and partnership—all fundamental to delivering a healthy, equitable public service.

Essential functions and responsibilities include:

• Connects and partners with organizations and other state programs that serve diverse communities to increase awareness of and access to Paid Leave.
• Cultivates trusted relationships and creates pathways for communities disadvantaged by economic and other systemic barriers to inform and benefit from Paid Leave.
• Collaborates closely with the Leadership in planning, coordinating, and tracking all Paid Leave engagement activities.
• Builds and maintains a database of constituent contacts.
• Handles event logistics, planning, registration, follow-up communications, invoices, payments, procurement, and vendor relations.
• Works closely with DEED’s Office of Public Engagement, Government Relations team, and other Public Engagement personnel to ensure that high-level strategy and day-to-day tactical work are aligned and in concert with the agency’s broader public and policymaker engagement efforts.

The incumbent must have the ability to maintain a flexible schedule, working occasional weekends and evenings as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume should clearly describe how you meet each minimum and/or preferred qualification listed, including dates of employment.

Two (2) years of experience in community-based outreach, Public Engagement, communications, project management, or relationship management role.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualifications will be further evaluated on the following:

Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse set of internal and external partners.

Ability to cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with diverse constituents.

Skills in project management, tracking, and reporting.

Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives under minimal supervision.

Incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license, & insurance OR have other reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Equitable community engagement best practices and trends.
• Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), business, and nonprofit communities.

• Time management, multitasking, and prioritizing work efficiently.
• Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
• Microsoft Office (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

Resumes of all applicants to this posting will be evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications stated above. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you. Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and education. It includes contact with the applicant's current and/or former employers.

A Criminal Background Check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. A criminal conviction will not automatically remove you from consideration for employment.

When the position requires travel and the applicant drives a state owned or leased vehicle, a driver's license record check will be conducted.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Tim High at tim.high@state.mn.us.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Talent Acquisition at talent.acquisition.deed@state.mn.us.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please get in touch with Karen Lilledahl at Karen.Lilledahl@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations 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 and indicate what assistance is needed.