Leave Public Engagement Strategist

The Paid Leave Public Engagement Strategist, reporting to the Public Engagement Manager, is responsible for organizing and supporting equitable public engagement initiatives, cultivating and managing constituent relationships, and tracking and reporting on engagement activities.

Paid Leave is a historic new program in Minnesota that launched Jan. 1, 2026. The program provides job protections and partial wage replacement to employees who need time off work to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, support a family member called to active military duty, or take steps to ensure their personal safety or that of a loved one.

Employees experiencing such life events are trying to figure out benefits and keep food on the table, balancing schedules while trying to absorb complex medical information. That's why our program is committed to being easy to navigate and access. And it’s why we strive to help employers understand their role and how to remove barriers for their employees, creating a more caring workplace.

We know that Paid Leave improves the health and wellbeing of the residents and businesses of Minnesota, and that our economy is more equitable for it.

Equitable public engagement is the key to making this happen. It ensures that those charged with implementing the program understand the concerns and needs of Paid Leave's diverse constituents. It drives program design, participation, and partnership-all fundamental to delivering a healthy, equitable public service.

Essential functions and responsibilities include:

• Utilize knowledge of public engagement principles and best practices to create strategies for effectively engaging diverse constituent groups.
• Connects and partners with organizations and other state programs that serve diverse communities to increase awareness of and access to Paid Leave.
• Cultivates trusted relationships and creates pathways for communities disadvantaged by economic and other systemic barriers to inform and benefit from Paid Leave.
• Collaborates closely with the Leadership in planning, coordinating, and tracking all Paid Leave engagement activities.
• Maintains a database of engagement activities and constituent contacts.
• Handles event logistics, planning, registration, follow-up communications, invoices, payments, procurement, and vendor relations.
• Works closely with the Paid Leave Communications Team, the Paid Leave Policy and Evaluation Team, DEED's Office of Public Engagement, DEED’s Government Relations team, and other public engagement personnel to ensure that high-level strategy and day-to-day tactical work are aligned and in concert with the agency's broader public and policymaker engagement efforts.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

The incumbent must have the ability to maintain a flexible schedule, working occasional weekends and evenings as needed.

This position requires occasional occasional weekend and evening travel as needed.

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. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Two (2) years’ experience in community-centered outreach or equitable public engagement.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualifications will be further evaluated on the following:

• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse set of internal and external partner…