Working Title: American Indian Child Welfare Initiative (AICWI) Consultant

Job Class: Human Services Program Representative 2

Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID : 76627

• 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 : 05/10/2024

• Closing Date : 06/10/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office

• Division/Unit : DHS / Children and Family Services / Child Safety and Permanency Division

• Work Shift: Day Shift

• Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm

• Days of Work: Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

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

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

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.

In the 2023 legislative session, the Governor’s Office, Minnesota legislature, and leaders for children and families worked in partnership to pass legislation establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a sustainable, public face for children’s issues in state government. This new cabinet-level agency brings together programs centered on children and families, including child care and early learning, child support, child safety and permanency, economic support and food assistance, and youth opportunity. This position will become a part of DCYF.

* Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available .*

Travel is required 30-40% of the time to visit Tribal Nations and counties in fostering/building relationships as well as supporting programs in the development of strengthening prevention programs that support and/or provide ongoing culturally appropriate prevention services.

As the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative (AICWI) Consultant you will support, develop, assist, and implement tribal delivery of child welfare services to American Indian and Alaskan Native children and their families. You will work closely with Tribes, counties, and internal Department staff to provide support, guidance and technical assistance for the on-going operation of the AICWI continuum including program development and evaluation, grants management, consultation and technical assistance, problem solving and monitoring. The AICWI Consultant will work with Tribes who are currently implementing child welfare programming and others who are building capacity to take on child welfare responsibilities.

The AICWI continuum includes:

• Child maltreatment prevention strategies and programs

• Family preservation and reunification strategies and programs

• Child maltreatment response systems capable of screening reports of abuse and neglect 24 hours day/7 days a week, and investigating or offering family assessment services in accordance with Minn. Stat 626.556

• Foster care licensing and support

• Permanency for children in foster care; and

• Other activities and services agreed to by tribe and by the Commissioner that further the goals of providing safety, permanency, and wellbeing of American Indian children.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead, collaborate and implement strategies with Tribal Nations to build capacity to become part of the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative (AICWI).

• Develop and oversee American Indian Child Welfare Initiative implementation.

• Manage the AICWI contracts (planning and implementation) and agreements.

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.

Three (3) years professional experience working with Minnesota’s Child Welfare system and programs with an emphasis in American Indian Child Welfare. Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge and understanding of Minnesota’s child welfare system and its laws, policies, and practices

• Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act as well as Tribal State Agreement.

• Knowledge of Tribal communities and Tribal laws that affect American Indian children and families.

• Knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in working with Tribal communities and nations.

• Experience leading and facilitating workgroups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading in program design, development, and implementation, and to providing ongoing support and technical assistance to tribal social service agencies

• Skill in negotiating sufficient to successfully develop agreements between counties and tribal social service agencies that lead to improvement of child welfare practice with American Indian children and families.

• Knowledge of the legislative process, state government policies, processes, rules, and laws

• Ability to interpret or oversee surveys, analyze data, summarize results, prepare reports, bulletins, correspondence, manuals, and best practice materials and provide policy interpretation.

• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DHS will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

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.