Working Title: Northstar Care for Children Manager / State Prog Admin Manager Sr
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 92413
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 : 02/24/2026
Closing Date : 03/26/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DeptChildYth&Fam-Managerial
Division/Unit : DCYF/CS&P Deputy Staff
Work Shift: Day Shift
Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, intermittently
Salary Range: $43.38 - $62.41 / hourly; $90,577 - $130,312 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
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 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.
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.
* Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
**Statewide travel is possible 5% percentage of the time.
The Northstar Care for Children Manager manages policy and practice related to the Foster Care, Adolescent Services, Kinship Assistance, and Adoption Assistance programs for the state of Minnesota. This position has the oversight required to ensure that these programs, meet state and federal requirements in support of counties, tribes, and private agencies in their delivery of foster care, adolescent services and permanency services at the local level. This position has responsibility to communicate federal and state laws, regulations, and policy to DCYF and Department of Human Services (DHS) Administrations (Financial Operations, Social Service Information Systems (SSIS)/Minnesota Information Technology (MNIT), Foster Care Licensing, Children's Mental Health, Childcare, Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Medical Assistance (MA) and others).This position is responsible for developing, authorizing, and managing policy and practice with these same program areas. This position is responsible for leading efforts to develop legislative proposals regarding; state alignment with changes in federal law to maintain Minnesota eligibility for Title IV-E funds; proposals that support best practices in Minnesota's foster care, adolescent services, and permanency programs; and through providing support to other DCYF and DHS programs in their development of proposals involving or impacting these programs.
Against the current backdrop of foster care in Minnesota, this position also has responsibility to work across the Administration to address disproportionately represented children in out of home placement, towards trauma reduction and improve well-being outcomes.
Responsibilities include:
Ensure the foster care, adolescent services, and permanency programs are appropriately staffed, vacancies are filled, staff receive annual performance reviews, and performance concerns are addressed timely.
Management of foster care and permanency related services in accordance with federal and state laws and requirements on behalf of children who experience foster care, and those who are unable to be reunited with their families in Minnesota.
Management and supervision of state foster care, adoption, and adolescent services activities in accordance with federal and state laws.
Manage the development, implementation and monitoring of child foster care placement, compliance with foster care safety regulations, standards, and policies.
Oversee the maintenance of the Chafee Foster Care Independence program, (STAY and STAY in the Community) and Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) program.
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.
Demonstrated leadership experience
Leadership experience can include:
Experience as a supervisor, leadworker, team lead, project lead;
Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);
A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG)
Experience must include:
o 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions
o 100+ hours per year time commitment
AND
Five (5) years of work experience with state child welfare laws. Experience must demonstrate the following:
Administrative skills at a county or tribal social services agency in the role of a manager, director
Knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws such as Title IV-B and E of the Social Security Act and similar laws
Administering and overseeing budget, contract and grants management, and legislative processes
Thorough and extensive knowledge and experience in child welfare programs and operations
Public policy analysis and development sufficient to develop and coordinate policy and programs to improve performance outcomes
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in social work, child welfare, public administration, or related field.
Experience preparing legislative proposals that implement federal child welfare, Title IV-B and E laws, rules and policies.
Knowledge of the complexities of the child welfare continuum and of the need for child welfare reform.
Understanding of the contemporary issues on a national level affecting families and children, and the impact on families and children in Minnesota such as rising child poverty and immigration.
Experience interpreting, evaluating, and assessing the impact of policy, legislative, and legal changes on program initiatives.
Variety of experiences working with and leading and managing others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
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:
Reference check
Criminal Background check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Driver's License Check
Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
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.
