Working Title: Governance and Communications Coordinator
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
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Job ID: 96227
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Location: St. Paul
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Telework Eligible: Yes, up to 50%
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Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Limited
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Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
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Date Posted: 08/14/2026
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Closing Date: 08/26/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPE
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Division/Unit: DCYF / DCYF Business Readiness
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Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Days of Work: Monday - Friday
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Travel Required: No
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Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
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Classified Status: Unclassified
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Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
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End Date: 06/30/2027
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FLSA Status: Nonexempt
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Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No
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.
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.
- Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
***This position is temporary and includes full state fringe benefits; the position is expected until 10/01/2029.
The Governance and Communications Coordinator plays a critical enterprise-wide role supporting the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and its partners across state agencies. This position manages DCYF’s governance processes, stewards the agency’s project portfolio, and supports coordinated alignment of major Human Services initiatives across the broader Human Services Landscape.
The incumbent serves as a strategic advisor and lead worker across DCYF, DHS, MNIT, and other partner entities—providing coordination, planning, communication, and issue-resolution on high-impact, cross-agency projects. This position also leads major communication efforts that support DCYF leadership priorities, enterprise initiatives, and shared governance needs. The Governance and Communications Coordinator works under the direction of the Strategy and Operations Manager and serves as a key partner to DCYF executive leadership, including the Commissioner’s Office.
Responsibilities Include:
- Lead and manage DCYF’s governance process, including planning, coordination, scheduling, and facilitation of cross agency governance teams.
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Guide development of goals, objectives, action plans, and strategic options for enterprise initiatives, providing analysis, recommendations, and documentation for leadership.
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Lead communication strategies and products—newsletters, reports, digital content, and internal/external messaging—to support DCYF and Human Services Landscape priorities.
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Coordinate legislative proposal tracking and ensure items move efficiently through the governance process; prepare legislative reports and updates as needed.
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Contribute to division wide efforts by developing tools, templates, and processes that strengthen clarity, consistency, and quality across work activities.
**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.**
Four (4) years of experience leading workgroups, facilitating planning processes, and supporting governance or communication activities aligned with organizational goals.
Experience must demonstrate:
- Developing written materials such as reports, summaries, communication products, or presentations that translate complex information into clear, actionable content for varied audiences.
- Public speaking and presenting complex, sensitive, or high impact information to executive leadership, legislators, partners, or diverse stakeholder groups.
- Facilitating planning efforts, including guiding teams through discussions, decision making, and development of goals, objectives, or action plans.
Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following during the interview process:
- Solving complex problems and strategic thinking skills.
- Strong human relations skills to inform, facilitate, negotiate and broker agreements between individuals and groups.
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Experience in governance, organizational design, organizational change management, objective development, continuous improvement and evaluation.
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Knowledge of state government programs, interagency relationships, human services policy and procedures, and of government functions and relations.
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Experience working with executive leadership.
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Knowledge of the legislative process and experience developing legislative reports.
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Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:
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Reference check
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Criminal Background check
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Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
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Driver’s License Check
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Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
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Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
If you have questions about this position, contact Jenna Penfield Law at [email protected]
If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DCYF ADA at [email protected].
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
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Connection with their coworkers and communities
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Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
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Diabetes care
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Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
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Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
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Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
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Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
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Training, classes, and professional development
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Tuition reimbursement
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
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A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
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Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
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Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and let us know the support you need.
