FirstBank Jobs

Working Title: Permanency Policy Specialist

Job Class: Human Services Program Consultant

Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID : 77647

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 06/14/2024

• Closing Date : 06/27/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office

• Division/Unit : DHS - Central Office / CFS CS&P Adoption Operations

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $33.90 - $50.27 / hourly; $70,783 - $104,963 / 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 Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

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. This position will become a part of DCYF.

* Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available .*

As the Permanency Policy Specialist, the incumbent is the lead worker in the development of improvement strategies in the outcomes of permanency for children, through both a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody and adoption. You will lead a team of human service program representatives in the department’s permanency unit that spans records and eligibility and permanency quality assurance for Northstar Adoption Assistance and Northstar Kinship Assistance programs.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Guides the department’s strategic planning and delivery of permanency and adoption services to all Minnesota counties, tribes, private child placing agencies and partner systems, including courts, county attorneys, and guardians ad litem.

• Supervises county social service agencies in the delivery of permanency and adoption services and the implementation of federal and state law to meet permanency guidelines.

• Provides leadership to the Child Safety and Permanency Division regarding permanency, adoption, and transfer of permanent legal and physical custody practices and procedures, particularly the role and responsibility of the commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

• Fosters and encourages culturally competent placement, permanency, adoption, and transfer of permanent legal and physical custody services.

• Ensures that the Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act are considered and adhered to in the implementation of the permanency process.

• Actively develops, implements, and updates policies and practices that promote equity, and diversity and inclusivity; and respects and is sensitive of cultural differences encountered in interacting with coworkers and in serving our clientele.

It is essential that the individual:

• Fosters and encourages culturally competent placement, permanency, adoption, and transfer of permanent legal and physical custody services;

• Is aware of the disproportionality of African American and American Indian children and families in the child welfare system and underlying reasons for this disproportionality, and

• Actively develops, implements, and updates policies and practices that promote equity, and diversity and inclusivity; and respects and is sensitive of cultural differences encountered in interacting with coworkers and in serving our clientele.

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.

Three (3) years of specialized professional experience in child welfare.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of federal laws and regulations, state laws, departmental rules, policy, and case practice including The Adoption and Safe Families Act and Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act.

• Knowledge of funding sources (federal, state, and local) and administrative procedures (at both state and local government), in order to effectively provide general supervision to clientele.

• Knowledge of child welfare reform efforts in the state of Minnesota and/or Minnesota Child Welfare Practice Model.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, public policy, or related field.

• Strong human relations and communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing.

• Experience in developing models of service delivery and policy in complex administrative areas that comply with federal and state laws.

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

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DHS 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.