Director of Training and Prevention / Dir Child & Family Services

Working Title: Director of Training and Prevention / Dir Child & Family Services

Job Class: Director Children & Family Services

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID : 97506

• 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 : 10/06/2026

• Closing Date : 11/06/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Children Youth & Families Dept / DeptChildYth&Fam-Managerial

• Division/Unit : DCYF/Asst Commr ChildSafety&Perman

• Work Shift: Day Shift

• Work Hours : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, Statewide travel for meetings as needed.

• Salary Range: $51.89 - $74.31 / hourly; $108,346 - $155,159 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

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

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.

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.

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

**Statewide travel for meetings as needed.

This position provides strategic leadership and high-level oversight for Child Safety & Permanency’s (CSP) Training and Prevention functions, representing and advancing the priorities of the Assistant Commissioner through cross-division coordination, policy development, and executive-level issue resolution. The Director ensures representation for all areas in agency-wide policy and administrative activities, alignment of the Child Welfare Training Academy, Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and division wide operational activities across CSP, strengthens agency-wide collaboration, and supports effective, consistent implementation of child welfare policies and practices.

Responsibilities include:

• Representing DCYF and the CSP Assistant Commissioner across the agency and with external groups.

• In consultation with the Assistant Commissioner, providing strategic leadership and high-level oversight of the Child Welfare Training Academy, FFPSA, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and division wide operations CSP to achieve improved outcomes for children and families served by CSP’s programs and simplify and streamline program requirements for recipients and external partners.

• On behalf of the Assistant Commissioner, providing direction to CSP administration leadership and staff to address and facilitate the resolution of issues and roadblocks, including those that cross divisions, administration and agency boundaries.

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.

Demonstrated leadership experience*

*Leadership experience can include:

• Experience as a supervisor, leadworker, team lead, project lead;

• A project lead provides leadership, guidance, and advanced specialized technical expertise for a team doing evaluation, development, design, testing, and/or implementation in a project environment.

• Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);

• A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG). Experience must include:

• 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions

• 100+ hours per year time commitment

Five (5) years of experience in public policy and administration managing programs which may include: strategic planning; directing the work of staff in the areas of child safety, prevention, training; and/or implementation of federal and state laws. Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience in and knowledge of the Minnesota child welfare system.

• Experience with strategic, resource and operational planning.

• Experience with negotiations and conflict resolutions.

• Public policy analysis and development sufficient to develop and coordinate policy and programs to improve performance outcomes.

• Administering and overseeing budget, contract and grants management, and legislative processes.

• Understanding of Tribal Sovereignty.

• Knowledge of Federal and State government practices or programs.

• Knowledge of organizational management, including contract and budget management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the State of Minnesota political and legislative processes.

• Thorough and extensive knowledge and experience in child welfare programs and operations.

• Experience with strategic planning and change management.

• Experience with and /or familiarity working with Tribal nations.

• Knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws such as Minnesota African American Preservation Child Welfare Act (MAAFPCWA), ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act), MIFPA (Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act), or similar child- and family-related Tribal policies and statutes.

• Understanding of disparities and disproportionality in child welfare.

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

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:

• Reference check

• Criminal Background check

• Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)

• Driver’s License Check

• Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees

• Additional assessment may be required during the interview process

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.