Working Title: Program Evaluator
Job Class: Research Scientist 2
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 94391
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes / Hybrid 50%
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 05/28/2026.
Date Posted : 05/22/2026
Closing Date : 06/04/2026
Hiring Agency : Minnesota Health Department
Division/Unit : Health Improvement / Injury Prevention and Mental Health - Injury & Violence
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees
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.
This vacancy announcement will be used to fill up to two (2) Research Scientist 2 positions to serve as evaluators supporting the Overdose Prevention Unit and the Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery Unit.
While both positions are currently assigned to the Freeman district office located in St. Paul, MN, alternative district office locations may be considered based on business needs and supervisor approval.
These positions exist to plan and direct evaluation for the activities led by the Substance Use Prevention Education and Recovery (SUPER) or Overdose Prevention (OP) Units. The incumbents will develop, implement, analyze, interpret, and report on assessment and evaluation activities related to the SUPER or OP Unit strategies including the SUPER or COMPA focused grants, Communities that Care grant, communications initiatives, and funding to Tribal Nations.
Primary responsibilities include:
Co-designing evaluation plans for multiple grant programs with grantee, Tribal Nation, and IPMH staff input.
Creating and updating evaluation tools.
Conducting process and impact evaluations to help document learnings and program outcomes.
Reporting on findings per grantee needs and legislative mandates.
In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota further than 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.
MDH relies heavily on grant funding, in addition to state appropriated dollars. As an agency, we continually monitor funding levels and navigate some degree of uncertainty related to grant cycles and the impact of the grant funding on program priorities.
This position is currently funded and approved to be filled. While the position is funded at this time, future funding is dependent on the continuation of our funding sources. The Minnesota Department of Health works proactively to sustain programs and maintain our workforce, to avoid reductions in force to the very best of our ability. In the event of a loss of funding resulting in a necessary workforce reduction, that process is governed by our collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of experience planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating public health, behavioral health, substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, and/or community-based evaluation or research projects. Experience must include each of the following:
Experience developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, evaluation methodologies, and data management systems.
Experience analyzing and interpreting evaluation, research, or public health data and presenting findings through reports, presentations, dashboards, or other dissemination methods for leadership, interested parties, or community audiences.
Experience collaborating with multiple interested parties, such as grantees, community organizations, Tribal Nations, public health agencies, healthcare organizations, or cross-sector partners, to support evaluation, research, program improvement, or community engagement activities.
Minimum qualifications to be assessed at interview:
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse interested parties, including grantees, community organizations, Tribal Nations, public health partners, and individuals with lived experience.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex evaluation or technical information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences, including leadership, community partners, and non-technical interested parties.
Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, and organizational change while independently managing complex projects and maintaining a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
A degree in public health, epidemiology, evaluation studies, community health, social work, or related field may substitute as follows: master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for twelve (12) months of experience; and associate's degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience conducting evaluation, research, or community engagement work related to substance misuse prevention, overdose prevention, behavioral health, recovery services, and/or health equity initiatives.
Experience partnering with Tribal Nations, communities disproportionately impacted by substance misuse and overdose, and/or individuals with lived experience using culturally responsive and community-centered evaluation approaches.
Experience developing and presenting legislative reports, strategic evaluation plans, dashboards, data visualizations, or other products used to inform statewide policy, funding, or programmatic decision-making.
Master's degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Evaluation Studies, Community Health, Social Work, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Psychology, Biostatistics, or another closely related field.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
Under U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services regulations, the successful candidate must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. This agency is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship.
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.
