Community Services Program Specialist 2 - Remote Eligible

Foster Youth Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Job Class: Community Services Program Specialist 2

Agency: Foster Youth Ombudsperson

Job ID: 93586

Location: St. Paul

Telework Eligible: Yes

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers

Closing Date: 05/07/2026

Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Foster Youth Ombudsperson / Fostr Youth Ombd - MAPE

Division/Unit: OOFY

Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift

Days of Work: Monday - Friday

Travel Required: No

Salary Range: $26.43 - $38.55 / hourly; $55,185 - $80,492 / annually

Classified Status: Classified

Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

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.

The Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson (OOFY) is an independent agency that opened in 2024. The purpose of OOFY is to investigate decisions, acts, and other matters related to the health, safety, and welfare of youth in foster care, to promote the highest attainable standards of competence, efficiency, and justice for youth who are in foster care.

This position exists to lead and coordinate community engagement and outreach activities for OOFY, under limited supervision. The incumbent will conduct individual meetings and group outreach (both virtually and in-person) in facilities and other settings. This includes supporting OOFY's investigatory activities, conducting intake interviews as-needed and following up with foster youth who have submitted concerns or complaints. Their role will involve building collaborative relationships with facility and program staff and others who support foster youth. They will lead communication activities, contributing to reporting and recommendations as-needed and supporting the development of strategic messaging. The position will collect and analyze data on systemic issues and conduct foster care policy analysis and research. The position exercises discretion in applying the policies, mission, vision, and values of OOFY in their work, and in building and maintaining positive internal and external relationships. The incumbent will have access to various residential settings of foster youth, including family foster care homes, group homes, and institutional settings, and access to sensitive data under the delegated statutory authority of the Ombudsperson. The incumbent may spend up to 30% of their time traveling throughout their assigned jurisdiction to fulfill the responsibilities outlined herein.

With a telework arrangement, additional onsite attendance may be required for team meetings or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy for details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of full-time equivalent outreach, education, training, or case management experience.
• Experience engaging with young people or historically impacted populations, foster youth in particular.
• Experience engaging with children, youth, and/or young adults in a professional setting.
• Computer skills demonstrating proficiency with word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Experience developing materials, and presentation skills sufficient to effectively present to youth learners.
• Oral and written comprehension and communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively and concisely with a broad variety of partners.
• Driver's License and acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Minnesota's child welfare system, including child protection, foster care, extended foster care, kinship care and adoption, and policies, governmental organizations, and public policy structures.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to foster care/child welfare, and/or knowledge of best-practices or policies.
• Ability to use customer service and trauma-informed interviewing skills sufficient to provide prompt, courteous and accurate information and effectively communicate and elicit information with tact and diplomacy.
• Experience sharing complex, evolving information about benefits, programs, or rights.
• Ability to respect cultural differences and work with people from diverse backgrounds and religions.
• Human relations skills sufficient to work effectively with a variety of partners; to effectively persuade; to deal effectively with complex and oftentimes competing relationships; and to understand, develop, motivate, collaborate, and lead others.
• Experience working with confidential and sensitive data appropriately and in accordance with the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
• Experience working with Quickbase or similar case management system.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants must pass a criminal background check through American DataBank and employment reference checks prior to employment. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and each case will be reviewed individually in alignment with fair hiring practices.

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.