Working Title: Regional Ombudsman
Job Class: Client Advocate
Agency: Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities
Job ID : 90657
Location : Saint Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 12/06/2025
Closing Date : 12/29/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD)
Division/Unit : Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities / Ombudsman Client Services
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 40%
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76/ hourly; $67,651- $99,723 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Professional Employees (MAPE)
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
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 Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health& Developmental Disabilities is looking for their next Client Advocate. This position provides professional advocacy and client resource services for persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorder. The person in this position will verify and review a wide variety of reports or complaints of violations, including clients' rights, service provision, and dignity/respect issues. The person in this position will also review serious injuries reported to OMHDD and ensure that appropriate corrective action plans are implemented.
Day to day work will vary and may include in-person or virtual case involvement, attending client meetings, proactive site visits or community engagement, research, analysis, and investigation into client complaints or systemic issues, and potential education or training to the clients and community served by OMHDD.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework arrangement, onsite attendance will be required for team members or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for details.
We are also posting a second Regional Ombudsman as a remote position. If you are interested to work remotely and reside in such MN counties as Wright, McLeod, Carver, Scott, Le Suer, or Rice, please review the Job ID 90651 for details.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Nursing, Legal Studies/Law, Human Services, Hospital Administration, Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy or closely related field.
EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of experience that meets ALL of the following requirements. (NOTE: Paralegal and entry-level professional experience does not qualify.)
Be in a residential facility or long-term care, acute care or community setting, social services or MN Departments of Health, Human Services or Education; AND
Involve providing services or oversight of services to persons with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and/or substance use disorder issues; AND
Emphasize ONE or more of these primary roles:
Investigating the quality of services provided to individuals with disabilities, OR
Developing and proposing effective and practical solutions for obtaining appropriate disability-related services in the least restrictive setting, providing case management or other disability-related services, engaging in effective discharge planning, OR
Being a mediator or advocate for individuals with disabilities, which may include (1) identifying and investigating violations of clients' rights; (2) representing clients at social service appeals hearings or review boards; and (3) monitoring the actions taken to correct violations of clients' rights.; OR
Overseeing the evaluation of program delivery or a major component of program delivery in a supervisory, regulatory, or other higher-level capacity.
Ability to:
Manage time effectively.
Problem-solve complicated issues.
Communicate clearly orally and in writing.
Work independently, with limited hands-on supervision.
Preferred Qualifications
Job related education related to the rights of these client groups.
Advocacy experience to include identifying violations of clients' rights; representing clients at legal proceedings, appeals hearings, or review boards; and monitoring actions taken to correct violations.
Licensure in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Nursing or Law; or relevant advocacy experience.
Experience providing training on clients' rights issues.
Experience providing liaison services and consultation to representatives of law enforcement, social services, agencies, and the courts.
Working with diverse (e.g. economic, racial, cultural, rural/urban location) populations to facilitate access to disability related supports and services,
A successful candidate must have a strong belief in the rights of individuals receiving services/treatment for the disabilities the office assists.
Physical Requirements
Requires the ability to be in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time, and the ability to conduct work in a variety of community settings which may require varying levels of comfort or access.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check. This position requires an incumbent must maintain valid driver's license, and insurance, OR have other reliable transportation. 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.
