Regional Ombudsman - Client Advocate

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Job summary

The State of Minnesota's Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities is seeking a Regional Ombudsman in St. Paul.

This Client Advocate position delivers professional advocacy and resource services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders, reviewing reports and coordinating corrective actions. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least three years of relevant experience, plus strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Public Administration or closely related field.
• Three years of experience in advocacy, disability services, or related settings.

Responsibilities

• Verify and review reports or complaints of violations including clients' rights and dignity.
• Review serious injuries and ensure corrective action plans are implemented.
• Conduct in-person or virtual case involvement, site visits, community engagement, and investigations.
• Provide education or training to clients and community served by OMHDD.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work or related field

Job description

Working Title: Regional Ombudsman

Job Class: Client Advocate

Agency: Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities

• Job ID : 97387

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/01/2026

• Closing Date : 10/12/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Ombud Mental Hlth & Dev Dis / Ombm Mental Health & MR-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Ombudsman MH/DD / Ombudsman Client Services

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - up to 40%

• Salary Range: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• 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.

The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities is looking for their next Client Advocate. This position provides professional advocacy and client resource services for persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorder. The person in this position will verify and review a wide variety of reports or complaints of violations, including clients' rights, service provision, and dignity/respect issues. The person in this position will also review serious injuries reported to OMHDD and ensure that appropriate corrective action plans are implemented.

Day to day work will vary and may include in-person or virtual case involvement, attending client meetings, proactive site visits or community engagement, research, analysis, and investigation into client complaints or systemic issues, and potential education or training to the clients and community served by OMHDD.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework arrangement, onsite attendance will be required for team meetings or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for details.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Nursing, Legal Studies/Law, Human Services, Hospital Administration, Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy or closely related field.

EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience that meets ALL of the following requirements. (NOTE: Paralegal and entry-level professional experience does not qualify.)

• Be in a residential facility or long-term care, acute care or community setting, social services or MN Departments of Health, Human Services or Education; AND

• Involve providing services or oversight of services to persons with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and/or substance use disorder issues; AND

• Emphasize ONE or more of these primary roles:

• Investigating the quality of services provided to individuals with disabilities, OR

• Developing and proposing effective and practical solutions for obtaining appropriate disability-related services in the least restrictive setting, providing case management or other disability-related services, engaging in effective discharge planning, OR

• Being a mediator or advocate for individuals with disabilities, which may include (1) identifying and investigating violations of clients' rights; (2) representing clients at social service appeals hearings or review boards; and (3) monitoring the actions taken to correct violations of clients' rights.; OR

• Overseeing the evaluation of program delivery or a major component of program delivery in a supervisory, regulatory, or other higher-level capacity.

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

• Ability to manage time effectively.

• Ability to problem-solve complicated issues.

• Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently, with limited hands-on supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Job related education related to the rights of these client groups.

• Advocacy experience to include identifying violations of clients' rights; representing clients at legal proceedings, appeals hearings, or review boards; and monitoring actions taken to correct violations.

• Licensure in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Nursing or Law; or relevant advocacy experience.

• Experience providing training on clients' rights issues.

• Experience providing liaison services and consultation to representatives of law enforcement, social services, agencies, and the courts.

• Working with diverse (e.g. economic, racial, cultural, rural/urban location) populations to facilitate access to disability related supports and services.

• A successful candidate must have a strong belief in the rights of individuals receiving services/treatment for the disabilities the office assists.

Physical Requirements

Requires the ability to be in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time, and the ability to conduct work in a variety of community settings which may require varying levels of comfort or access.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants must pass a criminal background check through American DataBank and employment reference checks prior to employment. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and each case will be reviewed individually in alignment with fair hiring processes.

This position requires an incumbent must maintain valid driver's license, and insurance, OR have other reliable transportation.

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 [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.