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You are here: Home / News / MCD Is Hiring a Communications Officer

MCD Is Hiring a Communications Officer

July 6, 2023

Illustration of office workers

On the page:

  • Job Details
  • Job Summary
  • Qualifications
  • How to Apply
  • About Disability Council
  • Why Work for the State of Minnesota

Job Details

Working Title: Communications Officer
Job Class: Communications Specialist 3
Agency: Minnesota Council on Disability

  • Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
  • Date Posted: 07/06/2023
  • Closing Date: 07/27/2023
  • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD)
  • Division/Unit: Council On Disability / Programs & Operations
  • Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
  • Days of Work: Monday – Friday
  • Travel Required: No
  • Salary Range: $28.96 – $42.67 / hourly; $60,468 – $89,094 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – Professional Employees (MAPE)
  • FLSA Status: Exempt – Administrative
  • Telework Eligible: Yes
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans. The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged, and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) wants to find the brightest and best communications professional Minnesota has to offer. Is that YOU?

We are a busy, thriving, fast-moving, exciting agency to work for. We are purpose-driven and set our goals high: a barrier-free Minnesota. Along with a committed league of partners, MCD delivers disability messaging on behalf of our community to state leadership, to local government, businesses, disability organizations, and the public.

The purpose of this position is to serve as the statewide communications officer, the strategist, and journalist for the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) to ensure information reflects the agency mission, and is accessible, accurate, and engaging.

MCD believes that collaborative, partnered relationships are vital to building the strongest possible Minnesota for people with disabilities. Thus, this position serves as a model communication professional for other agencies and private organizations. We advance our mission by engaging the public, all our partners, policy makers, businesses, and elected officials.

MCD’s role is to advise, educate, train, and promote effective public policy for Minnesotans with disabilities. Effective communication and engaging the public are central to delivering the strategic goals of MCD; thus, this position holds a critical role in reaching our mission. We believe that communication is a form of leadership.

This position has options for telework.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Three years professional communications experience that demonstrate the following:

  • Professional knowledge/experience of communication strategies, tools, products, and processes using a culturally sensitive, diverse, and inclusive lens
  • Advanced journalistic skill/experience in writing, editing, and interviewing people with a diverse range of abilities. (Examples: website content, newsletters, social media content, blogs, vlogs, technical documents, written narratives, and press releases)
  • Technical skills and/or working knowledge of 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA requirements for digital communication and computer integrated environments
  • Proficient skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, MS Forms, PowerPoint) or equivalent transferable knowledge base
  • Skills/experience in content design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite, PhotoShop) or similar transferrable knowledge base
  • Basic understanding and/or experience with video and multi-media production standards and practices
  • Ability to develop policies and procedures, to adequately vet agency communication and outreach materials for accuracy, accessibility, plain language, and mission orientation

A degree in Communications or related field will substitute for professional experience, as follows:

  • Doctorate degree = 2 years of experience
  • Master’s degree = 18 months of experience
  • Bachelor’s degree = 12 months of experience
  • Associates degree = 6 months of experience

Minimum Qualifications to Be Assessed at Interview

  • Excellent interpersonal communications style and human relations skill sufficient to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with staff, other state agencies colleagues, customers, public vendors, elected and appointed officials so that agency timelines, goals and quality standards are met.
  • Organizational and time management skills sufficient to effectively manage a robust, deadline-driven, and busy communications environment.
  • Applied knowledge of the social model of disability.
  • Presentation skills sufficient to deliver disability related material to a wide range of audiences in an in-person, virtual, or hybrid environment.
  • Demonstrated leadership and critical thinking experience and skill in identifying and developing an agency communications strategic plan, and the ability and responsibility to hold others accountable to the strategy.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a diverse audience

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with MCD’s vision, programs, policies, procedures, and business goals; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws; knowledge of the social, cultural, diverse communication access needs of a wide range of abilities and assistive technologies
  • Website development – web-based information management systems and computer-based training methods; software and technologies used in website development (e.g., HTML, Google Analytics, accessibility verifying methods, etc.)
  • Familiarity with industry standards and emerging assistive technologies
  • Experience in developing and deploying digital content using formats based on standardized internet technologies (e.g., HTML, CSS, PHP, etc.)
  • Familiarity with the State of MN Data Practices Act
  • Video editing
  • Photography skills

Additional Requirements

As part of its hiring procedures, it is the policy of the Minnesota Council on Disability to conduct SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only) and an employment reference check.

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.

How to Apply

Visit Careers in Minnesota State Government and choose the appropriate portal:

  • External Applicants.
  • Current Employees.
  • Accessible Applicant Portal.

On the Job Search page (or Careers if you are a current employee) search for: Job ID 67255.

If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to Careers in Minnesota State Government.

If you have questions about the position, contact Matthew Leo at matthew.leo@state.mn.us or 651-201-2393.

Connect 700 Program Applicants

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 Matthew Leo at matthew.leo@state.mn.us.

About Disability Council

MCD is a civil rights organization, governed by a council of 17 individuals appointed by the Governor. Our goal is to achieve a Minnesota where every person with a disability has full access to all aspects of life.

Why Work for the State of Minnesota

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

Employee Engagement

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

  • 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
  • 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
  • 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
  • 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

  • Public pension plan
  • Training and professional development
  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Low-cost medical and dental coverage
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Vision coverage
  • Wellness programs and resources
  • Employer paid life insurance
  • Short-term and long-term disability
  • Health care spending and savings accounts
  • Dependent care spending account
  • Tax-deferred compensation
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

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.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations 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 and indicate what assistance is needed.

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