Paid Leave Public Engagement Strategist

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and药

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development seeks a Paid Leave Public Engagement Strategist to organize and support equitable public engagement efforts, cultivate constituent relationships, and track engagement activities. The role collaborates across departments to align strategy with Paid Leave program goals.

The incumbent will work with diverse communities, manage outreach initiatives, and support event logistics and reporting.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years’ experience in community-centered outreach or equitable public engagement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external partners and cultivate trusted relationships.
• Skills in project management, tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives under minimal supervision.
• Incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license, & insurance OR have other reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Create strategies for effectively engaging diverse constituent groups.
• Connect with organizations and state programs to increase awareness and access.
• Cultivate trusted relationships and create pathways for underserved communities to inform and benefit from Paid Leave.
• Collaborate with Leadership to plan, coordinate, and track engagement activities.
• Maintain a database of engagement activities and constituent contacts.
• Handle event logistics, planning, registration, follow-up communications, invoices, payments, procurement, and vendor relations.
• Work with Communications, Policy & Evaluation, Office of Public Engagement, Government Relations, and other teams to align strategy with agency goals.

Skills

Public engagement

Stakeholder relations

Project management

Data tracking

Job description

The Paid Leave Public Engagement Strategist, reporting to the Public Engagement Manager, is responsible for organizing and supporting equitable public engagement initiatives, cultivating and managing constituent relationships, and tracking and reporting on engagement activities.

About Paid Leave:

Paid Leave is a historic new program in Minnesota that launched Jan. 1, 2026. The program provides job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who need time off work to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, support a family member called to active military duty, or take steps to ensure their personal safety or that of a loved one.

Employees experiencing such life events are trying to figure out benefits and keep food on the table, balancing schedules while trying to absorb complex medical information. That's why our program is committed to being easy to navigate and access. And it’s why we strive to help employers understand their role and how to remove barriers for their employees, creating a more caring workplace. We know that Paid Leave improves the health and wellbeing of the residents and businesses of Minnesota, and that our economy is more equitable for it.

Equitable public engagement is the key to making this happen. It ensures that those charged with implementing the program understand the concerns and needs of Paid Leave's diverse constituents. It drives program design, participation, and partnership-all fundamental to delivering a healthy, equitable public service.

Essential functions and responsibilities include:

• Utilize knowledge of public engagement principles and best practices to create strategies for effectively engaging diverse constituent groups.
• Connects and partners with organizations and other state programs that serve diverse communities to increase awareness of and access to Paid Leave.
• Cultivates trusted relationships and creates pathways for communities disadvantaged by economic and other systemic barriers to inform and benefit from Paid Leave.
• Collaborates closely with the Leadership in planning, coordinating, and tracking all Paid Leave engagement activities.
• Maintains a database of engagement activities and constituent contacts.
• Handles event logistics, planning, registration, follow-up communications, invoices, payments, procurement, and vendor relations.
• Works closely with the Paid Leave Communications Team, the Paid Leave Policy and Evaluation Team, DEED's Office of Public Engagement, DEED’s Government Relations team, and other public engagement personnel to ensure that high-level strategy and day-to-day tactical work are aligned and in concert with the agency's broader public and policymaker engagement efforts.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

The incumbent must have the ability to maintain a flexible schedule, working occasional weekends and evenings as needed.

This position requires occasional occasional weekend and evening travel as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Two (2) years’ experience in community-centered outreach or equitable public engagement.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualifications will be further evaluated on the following:

• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse set of internal and external partner and cultivate trusted relationships.
• Skills in project management, tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives under minimal supervision.
• Incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license, & insurance OR have other reliable transportation.

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

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
• 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.