What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Relations Intern position at Minnesota Department of Human Services?
Working Title: Community Relations Intern
Job Class: Management Analyst 1
Agency: Human Services Dept
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 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with many partners, helps Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential.
The Executive Pathways Program is a paid summer internship (June – August) for college students to explore a rewarding career in public service.
What you can expect during your internship:
Some responsibilities include but not limited to:
To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:
You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; or recently graduated December 2024 or May 2025
AND
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Evelyn Witherspoon at evelyn.witherspoon@state.mn.us or 651-431-6579.
About Human Services Dept
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Job Class: Management Analyst 1
Agency: Human Services Dept
- Job ID: 84419
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: Yes
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Temporary
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 02/26/2025
- Closing Date: 03/07/2025
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / DHS Cent Office IWT
- Division/Unit: DHS-Payroll / DHS Community & Partner Relat
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $23.63 - $34.18 / hourly; $49,339 - $71,367 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- End Date: 08/20/2025
- FLSA Status: Nonexempt
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No
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 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with many partners, helps Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential.
The Executive Pathways Program is a paid summer internship (June – August) for college students to explore a rewarding career in public service.
What you can expect during your internship:
- Hands-on experience impacting individuals and processes within a large human service agency
- Opportunity to meet (virtually and in-person) to network with other state employees
- Attend virtual workshops focused on your Professional development
- Give back to the communities DHS serves through volunteerism
Some responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Research & Design: Work with the Director of Community Relations to design focus questions for research related to community engagement best practices.
- Trends & Models Inventory: Conduct an inventory of national trends and create a snapshot of current community engagement models, identifying effective practices and implementation formats.
- Internal Practice Scan: Perform an agency-wide environmental scan to assess the baseline of internal community engagement practices, identifying contradictions or areas for improvement.
- Community & Stakeholder Feedback: Use a participatory approach to gather community feedback and recommendations for the strategic direction of community engagement efforts.
- Framework & Implementation Plan: Formulate a model framework for community engagement, with a time-framed implementation plan outlining progress measures at 3, 6, and 9 months.
- Evaluation & Impact: Identify methods for evaluating the impact of the proposed community engagement model and contribute to the development of an impact dashboard to track progress.
To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:
You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; or recently graduated December 2024 or May 2025
AND
- Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute to a culture of inclusion
- Preferred majors include: Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, Communicaiton
- Strong research and analytical skills
- Experience in community engagement and participatory design processes
- Knowledge of community engagement models and trends
- Ability to conduct environmental scans and identify gaps in practice
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to synthesize and present complex information
- Experience with developing implementation plans and progress tracking
- Familiarity with evaluation methods and impact measurement
- Collaborative team player with the ability to gather and incorporate feedback
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
- Must be in academic years of sophomore, junior, or senior (Graduate students allowed)
- Must provide unofficial transcript to show proof of school enrollment
- Must be willing to reside in Minnesota for the duration of internship
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) criminal background check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. Finalists must pass the DHS background check.
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Evelyn Witherspoon at evelyn.witherspoon@state.mn.us or 651-431-6579.
About Human Services Dept
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The Minnesota Department of Human Services impacts the lives of 1.7 million people every year, helping them meet their basic needs so they can achieve their highest potential.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Salary : $49,339 - $71,367
