Early Childhood Product Management Specialist / Product Management Specialist
State of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Job Details
Job Class: Product Management Specialist Working Title: Early Childhood Product Management Specialist / Product Management Specialist Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept Job ID: 93579 Location: St. Paul Telework Eligible: Yes Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Full/Part Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Unlimited Overview
This position provides strategic leadership for the design, management, and continuous improvement of an enrollment and attendance product within the Early Childhood Administration Product Group. The role ensures the product meets program requirements, supports child‑care providers in submitting accurate enrollment and attendance information, and advances the strategic goals of the product line. The product supports the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program, the Child Care Assistance Program, and other related initiatives. Responsibilities
Channel the voice of the customer and use human‑centered design principles to develop solutions aligned with other agency systems; employ a product‑centric operating model that incorporates Agile and DevOps principles. Lead the comprehensive and technical administration of enrollment and attendance processes, build internal capacity around new ways of working, coordinate partner engagement, harmonize efforts with cross‑agency modernization initiatives, and drive change management and training development. Strategically align work between the divisions of Child Care Services and Early Learning at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Create and maintain a product vision, roadmap, governance structure and budget that generate value for customers and stakeholders while realizing financial benefits, building capabilities, and reducing risks and liabilities in alignment with product management standards. Oversee the end‑to‑end product development lifecycle and deliver a high‑quality product in a timely manner, aligning with product line objectives and guiding principles and promoting a consistent, easy‑to‑navigate user experience through structured product discovery, delivery, and iteration. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and gain support for the product, ensuring shared ownership of product outcomes. Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of experience in product management, service design, business analysis, program management, or a closely related field, including: Leading or coordinating cross‑functional teams to deliver digital services, technology products, or process improvements. Using Agile, Scrum, or other iterative development methodologies. Applying product‑management practices such as product lifecycle management, user‑centered design, backlog management, and iterative delivery. Collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, program staff, and external partners. Demonstrating strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of early childhood systems, including program eligibility, enrollment processes, attendance tracking, and provider participation requirements. Familiarity with human‑centered design methods for populations facing barriers to accessing early childhood services (e.g., multilingual families, families experiencing housing instability). Experience conducting or using user research with families, early educators, child‑care providers, and/or county or tribal partners. Experience working in state government, county human services, tribal nations, school districts, or early childhood provider organizations. Experience with digital accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices. Additional Requirements
The department requires a background investigation prior to employment, including: Reference check Criminal background check Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS) Driver’s license check Personnel file review of all current and former public‑sector employees Additional assessment may be required during the interview process Benefits
As an employee, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including: Paid vacation and sick leave 12 paid holidays each year Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
Fertility care, including IVF Diabetes care Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years) Employer paid life insurance Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being Equal Opportunity Statement
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 encourage persons of color and Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. 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.
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Job Class: Product Management Specialist Working Title: Early Childhood Product Management Specialist / Product Management Specialist Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept Job ID: 93579 Location: St. Paul Telework Eligible: Yes Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Full/Part Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Unlimited Overview
This position provides strategic leadership for the design, management, and continuous improvement of an enrollment and attendance product within the Early Childhood Administration Product Group. The role ensures the product meets program requirements, supports child‑care providers in submitting accurate enrollment and attendance information, and advances the strategic goals of the product line. The product supports the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program, the Child Care Assistance Program, and other related initiatives. Responsibilities
Channel the voice of the customer and use human‑centered design principles to develop solutions aligned with other agency systems; employ a product‑centric operating model that incorporates Agile and DevOps principles. Lead the comprehensive and technical administration of enrollment and attendance processes, build internal capacity around new ways of working, coordinate partner engagement, harmonize efforts with cross‑agency modernization initiatives, and drive change management and training development. Strategically align work between the divisions of Child Care Services and Early Learning at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Create and maintain a product vision, roadmap, governance structure and budget that generate value for customers and stakeholders while realizing financial benefits, building capabilities, and reducing risks and liabilities in alignment with product management standards. Oversee the end‑to‑end product development lifecycle and deliver a high‑quality product in a timely manner, aligning with product line objectives and guiding principles and promoting a consistent, easy‑to‑navigate user experience through structured product discovery, delivery, and iteration. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and gain support for the product, ensuring shared ownership of product outcomes. Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of experience in product management, service design, business analysis, program management, or a closely related field, including: Leading or coordinating cross‑functional teams to deliver digital services, technology products, or process improvements. Using Agile, Scrum, or other iterative development methodologies. Applying product‑management practices such as product lifecycle management, user‑centered design, backlog management, and iterative delivery. Collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, program staff, and external partners. Demonstrating strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of early childhood systems, including program eligibility, enrollment processes, attendance tracking, and provider participation requirements. Familiarity with human‑centered design methods for populations facing barriers to accessing early childhood services (e.g., multilingual families, families experiencing housing instability). Experience conducting or using user research with families, early educators, child‑care providers, and/or county or tribal partners. Experience working in state government, county human services, tribal nations, school districts, or early childhood provider organizations. Experience with digital accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices. Additional Requirements
The department requires a background investigation prior to employment, including: Reference check Criminal background check Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS) Driver’s license check Personnel file review of all current and former public‑sector employees Additional assessment may be required during the interview process Benefits
As an employee, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including: Paid vacation and sick leave 12 paid holidays each year Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
Fertility care, including IVF Diabetes care Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years) Employer paid life insurance Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being Equal Opportunity Statement
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 encourage persons of color and Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. 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.
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