Public Health System Planner - Planner Principal State

Minnesota Department of Health; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Health in Minnesota is seeking a Public Health System Planner to design, manage, and implement projects strengthening Minnesota's public health system. The role focuses on partnerships across state, local and Tribal health agencies, delivering shared recommendations and scalable solutions.

The position emphasizes equity, collaboration, and capacity-building, with a hybrid telework arrangement and responsibilities across MDH districts.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in managing public health performance or quality improvement projects.
• Experience in project management and working with public health agencies
• Experience working for Government State, Local or Tribal Public Health
• Experience designing, managing, or facilitating multi-stakeholder projects or workgroups, including producing shared recommendations, deliverables, or system‑level solutions
• Experience providing coaching, technical assistance, or capacity‑building support to governmental public health agencies or similar organizations
• Experience facilitating workgroups, committees, or cross‑agency teams, including developing agendas, guiding discussions, and producing shared recommendations or deliverables
• Educational Equivalencies: A bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience; an associate's degree may substitute for six months of experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage and implement projects advancing MDH's priority to seamless, responsive and publicly supported public health system.
• Design, convene, support, and facilitate workgroups that result in products and recommendations that are agreed upon and supported across the governmental public health system.
• Provide coaching and technical assistance, and support communities of practice that support the understanding, adoption and implementation of the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities.

Skills

Project management

Public health

Stakeholder facilitation

Coaching / technical assistance

Equity in public health

Cross‑agency collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in public health or related field

Job description

• Telework Eligible: Yes / Hybrid

Working Title: Public Health System Planner

Job Class: Planner Principal State

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 97390
• Location: Various
• Telework Eligible: Yes / Hybrid
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 10/29/2026
• Closing Date: 11/04/2026
• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Division/Unit: Public Health Strategy and Partnership (PHSP) / System Transformation Unit
• 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: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 POSITION IS BEING REPOSTED. IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED TO THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY TO BE CONSIDERED.

Join a mission-driven team in at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and contribute to protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans. The Center for Public Health Practice within the Public Health Strategic Partnerships Division is seeking a professional to strengthen the capacity, performance, and long‑term effectiveness of Minnesota’s public health system and will focus primarily on the partnership of state, local, and Tribal governmental public health agencies. This position develops and implements projects that support a more seamless, responsive, and publicly supported public health system and strengthens the capacity of the system to fulfill Foundational Public Health Responsibilities (FPHR).

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Design, manage and implement projects that advance MDH’s priority to make Minnesota’s governmental public health system seamless, responsive and publicly supported.
• Design, convene, support, and facilitate workgroups that result in products and recommendations that are agreed upon and supported across the governmental public health system.
• Provide coaching and technical assistance, and support communities of practice that support the understanding, adoption and implementation of the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities.

This position is hybrid (telework based out of the new hires home office and their nearest MDH district office). The location of this position will be determined by the top candidate. MDH district office locations include St. Paul, St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester, Bemidji, Fergus Falls and Mankato. Commuting to the St. Paul office and other MDH office locations across the state may be required. Reimbursement for authorized business travel expenses is provided according to bargaining unit guidelines.

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 and year for each job held.

Three (3) years of experience in managing public health performance or quality improvement projects, including:

• Experience in project management and working with public health agencies
• Experience working for Government State, Local or Tribal Public Health
• Experience designing, managing, or facilitating multi-stakeholder projects or workgroups, including producing shared recommendations, deliverables, or system‑level solutions
• Experience providing coaching, technical assistance, or capacity‑building support to governmental public health agencies or similar organizations
• Experience facilitating workgroups, committees, or cross‑agency teams, including developing agendas, guiding discussions, and producing shared recommendations or deliverables

Qualifications to be further assessed during interview process:

• Familiarity with foundational public health responsibilities
• Ability to include fairness and equity principles in public health work
• Communication skills that allow clear reporting, presenting, and leading
• Relationship building and consensus facilitation
• Knowledge of federal and state laws that relate to public health programs
• Ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing situations and complex challenges in a fast‑paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with local public health agencies and diverse community partners is preferred
• A master's degree in public health, public administration, community health, environmental health, or related field
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Department of Health functions, polices, and procedures

Educational Equivalencies

A bachelor's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience. An associate's degree may substitute for six months of experience.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Megan Rivera at [e-mail].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Megan Rivera at [e-mail].

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

About Health Department

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity, and job satisfaction.

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
• 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

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.