Working Title: Early Childhood Communications Specialist / Communications Specialist 3
Job Class: Communications Specialist 3
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 94106
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers.
Date Posted : 05/08/2026
Closing Date : 05/22/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office MAPE
Division/Unit : DCYF/EarlyLearningDataAnalytics&Ops
Work Shift: Day Shift
Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
End Date : 01/15/2028
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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.
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.
*This temporary opportunity is expected to last up to 1 year and is open to both part-time (working a minimum of 20 hours weekly) or full-time (working 40 hours weekly). Status will be determined based on an agreed upon work schedule at the time of hire. This position may include full state fringe benefits; and will vary depending on part-time or full-time status .
This position serves as a communications specialist tasked with communicating information in the best way possible. The position is responsible for developing and executing a sustainable and strategic communications plan for early childhood communications for the Early Learning Services Division, including targeted support for the Great Start Scholarships Program and the Preschool Development Grant.
The position will work across the Early Childhood Administration to deliver high-quality, user-centered content for both internal and external partners. To do this, the position will also include supporting community engagement efforts. The position will lead media opportunities, such as press releases and events and may require collaboration with the Governor's Office and communications offices across departments. This position functions as the software, marketing, and communications subject matter expert for the division, and as the webmaster. The position will work with contractors and lead contracts to develop deliverables and ensure enterprise and agency accessibility and language standards are met. Most importantly, this position will uphold our team's guiding principles of communications that are culturally-relevant, plain language, accessible and rooted in human-centered design principals.
Responsibilities include:
Design, maintain, implement and evaluate a plan for communicating information in the best way possible. The communications plan must advance early childhood communications, including for Early Learning Services, Great Start Scholarships Program and the Preschool Development Grant and establish a tone that is culturally responsive and welcoming to all families as well as programs, and partners.
Plan and implement web-based communication efforts and community engagement tactics.Center the lived experiences of Minnesotans to continuously listen, understand, and embed priorities of children and families within communications work and ensure messages are reaching intended audiences. Work with community engagement contractor(s), grantees, Tribal Nations, partner organizations, and others to build and sustain relationships.
Develop and maintain extensive knowledge of state agency practices and priorities related to communications, and guide agency staff in work related to public communications.
Maintain current knowledge of accessibility standards and ensure Early Learning Services communications materials are accessible
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.
Three (3) years of experience with planning, designing, writing, and editing print and electronic communications materials or tools. Experience must include:
Building and implementing a communications plan for mid-large size organizations
Composing and editing publications for a wide range of audiences
Applying plain language and accessibility standards to communication materials sufficient to ensure clear and concise messaging that can be accessed by all
Planning, developing, and implementing effective communication, marketing, or public relations strategies sufficient to meet agency communication needs
A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing or a related field may substitute for 12 months of experience OR A Master's degree in in Communications, Marketing or a related field may substitute for 18 months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced skill in graphic design though creation of high-quality, compelling graphics, and design elements using a variety of tools and/or applications
Experience creating communications materials for multilingual audiences.
Experience with media relations.
Experience creating marketing materials (print and electronic).
Knowledge of early childhood or whole family landscape.
Experience communicating complex issues, orally and in writing, clearly and effectively with a wide variety of colleagues and audiences.
Experience designing effective, accessible communications materials sufficient to share technical, complex information or issues to a broad audience.
Variety of experiences working effectively with 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.
