American Indian Child Wellbeing Unit Manager / State Prog Admin Manager Sr

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment; Saint-Paul; Hybrid; CAD 133,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework options

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families seeks an American Indian Child Wellbeing Unit Manager to lead the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative. This role provides guidance to counties and tribes, ensuring ICWA, MIFPA, BIA compliance and collaboration with tribal nations to improve services.

Telework options and travel up to 5% are available; full-time exempt position with a salary range of $93,542-$134,592 annually.

Qualifications

• Five years of work experience with state child welfare laws.
• Experience supervising staff and leading a program or project.
• Ability to collaborate with county, tribal, and state partners.
• Knowledge of ICWA, MIFPA, BIA, TSA and tribal policy context.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the AICW unit to align with department goals.
• Engage across division, counties, tribes, and partners to deliver services.
• Guide staff on ICWA/MIFPA/TSA requirements and respond to disputes.
• Oversee administration of budgets, contracts, and grants.
• Support implementation of the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisor

Project lead

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in social work, child welfare, public administration, or related field

Job description

Working Title: American Indian Child Wellbeing Unit Manager / State Prog Admin Manager Sr

• Job ID: 97286
• Location: St. Paul
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 09/25/2026
• Closing Date: 10/26/2026
• 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, 5%
• Salary Range: $44.80 - $64.46 / hourly; $93,542 - $134,592 / annually
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.

• Statewide travel is possible 5 percentage of the time.

The purpose of this position is to provide lead management of American Indian Child Welfare Program in the Child Safety and Permanency (CSP) administration. There are specific requirements, outlined in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, (25 U.S.C. 1901-63), the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, MN Statute 260.751, the Bureau of Indian Affairs guidelines, and the Tribal State Agreement. These provisions govern service delivery to Native American children and families receiving child welfare services in Minnesota. These requirements span the entire continuum of child welfare service and are necessary to support family preservation, and ultimately the tribal nations to whom these children and families belong.

In support of the protections afforded with these requirements, the person in this position is responsible to oversee a program that delivers practice guidance, consultation, and supports to the Child Safety & Permanency administration to meeting the specific requirements of the program. Similarly, this position is responsible for providing guidance, and technical assistance to local county child welfare agencies and tribes, which includes responding to, and resolving disputes between counties and tribes.

Responsibilities Include

• Providing leadership for the overall American Indian Child Welfare (AICW) unit to ensure the program is fully staffed with a supervisor and staff capable of carrying out the strategic direction of the unit in keeping with the established goals of the department and tribal leadership.
• Ensuring the required routine engagement, guidance and collaboration across the division, county, tribal, private agency, state partners, and other child welfare stakeholders in strategic planning, development and delivery of child welfare services for American Indian children and families, with the goal of advancing/supporting Indian child welfare practice in accordance with ICWA, MIFPA, BIA, and TSA.
• Providing ongoing leadership to the unit supervisor and staff as needed to meet unit objectives in effort to achieve the objectives of the ICWA, MIFPA, BIA, and TSA. In this role, the manager makes recommendations or exercise of authority to hire, promote, evaluate performance, reward, discipline, suspend, discharge, assign work, adjust grievances, write position descriptions and provide administration of applicable labor contracts and plans.
• Managing the administrative functions required to operate the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative Program (AICWI) by providing leadership, technical expertise, oversight, strategic and program management and development to support the on-going implementation of the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative.

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, lead worker, team lead, project lead;

• A project lead provides leadership, guidance, and advanced specialized technical expertise for a team doing evaluation, development, design, testing, and/or implementation in a project environment.

• 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:

• 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions
• 100+ hours per year time commitment

Five (5) years of work experience with state child welfare laws. Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws such as ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act), MIFPA (Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act), or similar child- and family-related Tribal policies and statutes
• Administrative skills at a county or tribal social services agency in the role of a manager, director
• 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
• Working directly with Tribal governments, Tribal Nations, or Tribal communities and demonstrating knowledge and respect for Native American values, cultures, traditions, and Tribal sovereignty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience in a Tribal community or as a citizen of a federally recognized Tribe.
• Analyzing and interpreting federal, state, Tribal, or other governmental laws, policies, regulations, or agreements affecting Tribal Nations or Native American communities.
• 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.
• Prior experience working in a state or federal agency in a Tribal liaison or Tribal affairs role.
• Knowledge of the state’s 11 federally recognized Tribes and their unique histories, cultures, and governance structure.
• 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

About Children Youth & Families Dept

Our state depends on the success of Minnesota children, youth and families. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts children at the center of state government, creating a permanent state agency and commissioner focused on elevating children and families in policy and budget decisions.

This realigns state government to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs and practices.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans

• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children

• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.