What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist - Workforce Solutions (Limited Duration) position at Ramsey County, MN?
Basic Function
If you are looking for an interesting and meaningful role, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is looking for you!
The current vacancy is in the Workforce Solutions department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County. This is an unclassified, limited duration position expected to last one to two years.
Pathways Program Specialist
This position will be responsible for implementing pathways programs for youth and young adults in Ramsey County. This includes supporting participants in County-subsidized internship programs, including the Ramsey County Young Adult Career Academy and Ramsey County Summer Youth Internship Program. The position will be responsible for recruiting, determining eligibility and enrolling participants into programming, along with coordination activities such as working with internship supervisors and developing professional development opportunities for participants.
The basic function of the Program Specialist - Workforce Solutions (Limited Duration) is to coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of a specified program or project which provides services to clients/participants or employees of the Department to which assigned; and to perform related duties as assigned.
Examples of Work Performed
- Promote a diverse, culturally competent and respectful workplace.
- Develop implementation plans, program plans, or performance plans including projections of resource needs for various programs or projects including community-based programming within the department as assigned.
- Identify areas that need improvement and support the development of system modification and/or the development of new services.
- Survey, study, and analyze existing resources to achieve maximum effectiveness.
- Coordinate and collaborate with department staff (including other Ramsey County departments) and with the community, providers, state and regional municipalities, and federal authorities to meet program or project goals.
- Develop and maintain the program or project team priorities and work goals to achieve desired results.
- Identify needed changes in workflow and procedures and work with managers and supervisors to implement changes.
- Prepare reports and maintain records on program or project goals, achievements, methods, utilization, and challenges.
- Coordinate educational activities for service providers, concerned community groups and organizations affected by the program or project.
- Monitor, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of projects or programs including resources to ensure that services are provided in a cost-effective manner.
- Plan, conduct, identify, and/or coordinate training on topics related to the program or project for staff (including volunteers and interns), community provider agencies and clients/participants; implement orientation and recruiting goals in order to maximize program or project effectiveness.
- Assist in the creation of request for proposals, contracts and Board documentation related to the department project or program, as assigned.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Five years of experience in programs or services related to workforce development, including two years with a focus on youth and young adult programming/initiatives.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience (education and/or experience that equates to 9 years).
Certifications/Licensure: None.
Any applicant who meets the minimum qualifications through paid, volunteer or lived experience is encouraged to apply.
Exam/Screening Process Information
This is an unclassified, at-will position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.
Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact lindsey.hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
- Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee legally married spouse, Employee Child(ren), Family
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
- MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
- VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
- Pre-tax Benefit Program
- Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
- Paid time off
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
- Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
- Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
- Retirement benefits
- Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
- New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
- Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
- Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
- Transit and parking
- Fully funded Metropass.
- Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
- Employee well-being
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
- Life Insurance and Disability leave
- County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
- Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
- Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
- Career development
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
- Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
Salary : $4,000
