Working Title: OJP Community Specialist
Job Class: Community Services Program Specialist 3
Agency: Public Safety Dept
Job ID : 90099
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers and DPS employees eligible to bid (permanent, classified employees in the same job and class). Eligible bidders should apply through self-service and confirm their bid by emailing megan.lund@state.mn.us by 11:59 PM 11/13/2025.
Date Posted : 11/07/2025
Closing Date : 12/01/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MAPE
Division/Unit : Office of Justice Programs / OJP Training and Research Team
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25%
Salary Range: $28.26 - $41.43 / hourly; $59,006 - $86,505 / 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 (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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 Community Specialist is responsible for coordinating with all units within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to institutionalize community involvement in OJP processes, creating and implementing a communications plan, creating and updating targeted strategies for communicating OJP resources, crime victim assistance, and opportunities to diverse and varying audiences based on community input, metrics, and changing needs and resources. This includes responding and being a liaison in community during critical times. The Community Specialist is responsible for working with all units within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to institutionalize community involvement in OJP processes, creating and implementing a communications plan, creating and updating targeted strategies for communicating OJP resources, assistance, and opportunities to diverse and varying audiences based on community input, metrics, and changing needs and resource.
Hybrid Eligible: Employees may telework up to 50% or more, depending on the position and the needs of the division. Employees who live 50 miles or more from their permanent work location and reside within the state or in a county bordering the state may be allowed to telework more than 50% with approval from the division director.
The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper crediting, please include a cover letter and ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Two (2) years of developing, managing and/or monitoring community engagement and outreach activities working with those impacted by violent crimes, victim services, social services, and/or law enforcement and the complexity of navigating resources and barriers. Experience should include understanding state, county, and city resources and support.
Experience working with community organizations working with gunshot survivors, as well as direct experience working with gunshot victim/survivors.
Experience developing and conducting training for a variety of audiences.
Experience reviewing and interpreting program outcomes and recommending improvements
Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.
Applicants that meet the above minimum qualifications will be further evaluated on the following :
Experience working with community organizations and OJP stakeholders
Analysis, decision making and problem solving sufficient to evaluate current policies, procedures and processes, recommend and implement appropriate solutions that result in equitable outcomes, particularly for those communities most impacted by crime or have not traditionally received services or information from OJP.
Ability to adapt to continuous organizational and program changes sufficient to work constructively under pressure and cope with ambiguity and setbacks.
Ability to strengthen existing relationships with OJP stakeholders, community organizations, and interested entities, as well as establishing relationships with entities, organizations, and interested parties that would either benefit from OJP services, strengthen OJPs work, or to develop new partnerships.
Written communication skills including the ability to write reports, procedures, policies, and correspondence sufficient to describe, promote, and justify current and future program initiatives and outcomes.
Knowledge of crime victim concerns and needs.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of OJP services and programs.
Experience with State and Federal grants and attention to detail to support successful grant contract management and monitoring.
Experience supporting or managing program delivery to community partners.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasionally moving and transporting such articles as file folders and small tools. May need to maintain stationary position for long periods of time while carrying out job duties
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, includes the following components:
1) criminal history
2) reference check
3) drivers license check
The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify
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.
