State Prog Admin Coordinator

Ensuring every child receives a quality education, no matter their race or zip code. The Minnesota Department of Education serves a wide and diverse range of groups: K-12 students and their families; young children participating in a variety of early learning programs including Head Start and Early Childhood Family Education; adult learners participating in adult education programs including GED and citizenship programs; school districts; charter schools; teachers; libraries and librarians.

MDE values:
Collaboration: Partner and serve for the greater good.
Leadership: Take ownership and responsibility.
Equity: Innovate for justice, fairness and inclusion.

Working Title: Early Learning Scholarships Product Owner
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator
Agency: Education Department

This posting will be used to fill two (2) positions.

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 01/24/2024
• Closing Date: 02/13/2024
• Bid Open Date: 01/24/2024
• Bid Close Date: 01/30/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Education Department / MDE-Central Office-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Education / Early Childhood Services
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $35.13 - $52.25 / hourly; $73,351 - $109,098 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Telework Eligible: Yes. Telework arrangements may be possible. You will discuss your preferences and requirements of the position and complete a telework agreement. Employees do need to reside in MN or a border state and may need to report to the office on a periodic basis.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

CURRENT permanent-classified MDE employees represented by MAPE who are eligible for interest bidding for the position should consult Article 16, Vacancies, Filling of Positions, Section 3, Job Posting and Interest Bidding, of their negotiated agreement. In order to be considered for the position as an interest bidder your application must be received by the "Closed for Bid" date listed above.

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.

These positions will function as the Early Learning Scholarships Product Owners for several current and future IT products. In this role, they will channel the voice of the customer and human-centered design principles in development of solutions aligned with the needs of the Early Learning Scholarship team. These positions are a key part of building internal capacity around new ways of working, and will be responsible for coordination of partner engagement and communication, harmonizing efforts with other cross-agency modernization initiatives and enterprise frameworks, and will drive change management and training development for Early Learning Scholarship products.

A Product Owner’s main objective is to determine the best way to build a customer solution. A Product Owner is a member of an agile development team and is responsible for defining, prioritizing, and evaluating the work generated by a development team to help maximize end-user value. The role is highly collaborative, requiring regular communication with business stakeholders, developers, architects, operations, and other product teams.

Join the Early Learning Service’s efforts to center the needs of the users, ensuring that children, families and the people who support them have the best access and experience they can with the Early Learning Scholarship program!

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience with IT or data systems that includes business development or IT development OR a Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of experience.

• Experience with human centered design and/or agile principles and practices

• Experience with project management or change management practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with existing early learning services products and systems or programs

• Ability to make decisions quickle, adapt, and be flexible when directing work

• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation)

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 Kayla Johnson at kayla.s.johnson@state.mn.us or 651-582-8521.

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 Kayla Johnson at kayla.s.johnson@state.mn.us.

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)
• 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.