Ombuds Juvenile Investigator - Investigation Specialist

Job Details

Working Title: Ombuds Juvenile Investigator
Job Class: Investigation Specialist
Agency: Office of Ombuds for Corrections

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 01/29/2025
• Closing Date: 02/03/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of the Ombuds for Corrections
• Division/Unit: Office of the Ombuds for Corrections / Investigations
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 40% of the time.
• Salary Range: $31.92 - $47.05/ hourly; $66,649- $98,240 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• 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 Office of the Ombuds for Corrections (OBFC) is looking for a dedicated individual to represent and perform the duties of the OBFC with a primary focus on juvenile facilities and related issues. This position will receive, process, investigate, resolve, and report on individual complaints. This position additionally investigates systemic issues and conducts corrections policy analysis, research, reporting, and recommendations. This individual will have access to corrections facilities and sensitive data under the delegated statutory authority of the Ombuds. This position exercises discretion in applying the policies, mission, vision, and values of the OBFC to cases with a primary focus on juvenile facilities and issues while building and maintaining positive relationships with OBFC stakeholders.

In addition, this position may support other investigations in adult facilities, depending on nature of complaint or issue.

Please note this position is being reposted, if you have applied for this position in the past, you do not need to reapply.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position:

• Three years of experience with justice-involved individuals whose primary work includes research and reporting on correctional policies and practices, to include recommendations; experience with complaint/compliance review, investigations, case management, or other experience related to the work of this position, which must include responsibility for conducting interviews, mediation, or counseling; and report writing, at least two years of which must include working with justice involved juveniles.
• Knowledge or experience with the juvenile criminal justice system and correctional programs and policies sufficient to ensure the legality of investigations and protect individual rights.
• Knowledge or experience with interviewing techniques sufficient to collect evidence from witnesses, complainants, victims, and third-party sources.

A bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling, Human Resources, Sociology, Social Work, or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience as described. An associate degree may be substituted for 6 months of experience as described.

Minimum qualifications assessed in the interview:

• Human relations skills sufficient to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders; to effectively persuade; to deal effectively with complex and oftentimes competing relationships; and to understand, develop, motivate, collaborate, and lead others.
• Demonstrated excellence using oral and written comprehension and communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively and concisely with a broad variety of stakeholders, and communicate the results and findings to proper authorities, including preparing summary reports.
• Proven ability to relate to, communicate with, and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to interpret and translate complex institutional policy and public policy into easily understood terms so that those who interact with the Ombudsperson’s Office have a good grasp of its function and purpose.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are strongly desired of applicants seeking consideration for this position:

• Knowledge of Minnesota statutes; federal, criminal, and civil law; and correctional policies and procedures sufficient to determine better practices and if further investigation action is required.
• Knowledge of Minnesota Department of Corrections’ policies and procedures and Minnesota Rules governing local facilities.
• Knowledge of resource challenges with meeting the significant needs of this population and opportunities to better serve juveniles.
• Experience working on systemic and policy initiatives related to juveniles in correctional facilities as well as extensive experience working directly with juveniles.

Additional Requirements

The selection process may include screening the top candidate(s) on their criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations and/or other applicable background information in accordance with Ombuds for Corrections and Department of Corrections’ policy.

Employment history/reference checks, including incidents of sexual harassment, will also be conducted on the top candidate(s) in accordance with Ombuds for Corrections and Department of Corrections’ policy. This may include a review of job performance and discipline records.

Must have and maintain a valid driver's license.

New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. 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 http://www.mn.gov/careers.

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

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 the Office of Ombuds for Corrections

The Office of the Ombuds for Corrections is an office that investigates complaints, investigates correctional policies and practices, publishes reports of findings, makes recommendations, and provides information to people who are currently incarcerated, their family, and community. The OBFC was established as a neutral and independent investigator of complaints regarding state correctional agencies.

Why Work for Us

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.

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.