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Working Title: Employer Engagement Specialist

Job Class: Workforce Development Specialist 2

Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

+ **Job ID** : 88989

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes, may be eligible for some telework

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Limited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 10/02/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 10/13/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Employment and Economic Development - MAPE

+ **Division/Unit** : Workforce Development

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes, up to 35% of the time

+ **Salary Range:** $30.23 - $44.48 / hourly; $63,120 - $92,874 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Unclassified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)

+ **End Date** : Up to twenty-three (23) months

+ **FLSA Status** : Nonexempt

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No

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 purpose of this position is to coordinate employer engagement and business services within the workforce development and CareerForce systems. The Employer Engagement Specialist (EES) has responsibility for three (3) general types of activities:

+ Outreach and engagement with employers, workforce partners, State of Minnesota employees, and other stakeholders.

+ Talent matching and hiring initiatives in collaboration with employers, training programs, job seekers, and workforce staff, such as the Drive for 5 grant programs.

+ Facilitation and implementation of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) / CareerForce employer industry initiatives.

This position will serve the seven (7)-county metro area, focusing on Washington, Ramsey, Dakota, Scott, and Carver, and also Hennepin and Anoka in conjunction with the other EES staff.

This position will meet with employers in person, online and by phone to discuss CareerForce services, assess their hiring needs, determine the best resources and representatives to help them both in the short term and long term, and makes connections accordingly. They will maintain awareness of employer needs related to talent attraction, hiring, and retention. They will provide timely workforce solutions and broker connections to the appropriate resources to connect employers with job seeking program participants.

This position will coordinate industry-associated and employer-focused projects which are aligned with CareerForce and DEED priorities as assigned by their supervisor and senior leadership team. Partnerships will be developed between Job Service, CareerForce partners, industry, education, and economic development. Additionally, they provide training and support to workforce development staff and partners and other stakeholders as needed. This position will focus on a variety of workforce development programs, including the Drive for 5 occupational categories (caring professions, manufacturing, the trades, technology, and education); State of Minnesota careers; Drive for 5 training grants; Apprenticeships; Foreign Labor Certification housing inspections; business development; and/or others.

This position requires frequent local travel throughout the Twins Cities metro area and occasional travel in greater Minnesota.

This position is Temporary Unclassified due to the necessary development of a program with limited-duration funding. The position is professional, fully anticipated to be no greater than twenty-three (23) months, as the program funding is anticipated to last for twenty-three (23) months.

This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) 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.

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* of work experience in Workforce Development systems or providing services to businesses.

*Bachelor’s degree in business administration, social work, human services, counseling, human resources, sociology, education or other closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute one (1) year of experience; master’s degree substitutes for eighteen (18) months of experience.

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

+ Experience communicating with diverse individuals and groups.

+ Experience in project planning and managing business operations.

+ Experience using computer programs and software (i.e., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Sharepoint).

+ Experience interpreting and applying federal and state programs, policies, and regulations.

+ Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license and insurance OR have other reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree or higher in business administration, social work, human services, counseling, human resources, sociology, education or other closely related field as determined by the agency AND related experience.

+ Skill communicating in a secondary language (Spanish, Somali, Hmong or other dialect).

+ Knowledge of labor market information, economic conditions and unemployment statistics.

+ Knowledge of Minnesota’s in demand occupations, sectors, and industries.

+ Problem-solving skills sufficient to address a diverse array of regulations, guidance, and procedures.

+ Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities.

Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check

• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)

• Employment Reference Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.