Early Childhood Product Management Specialist / Product Management Specialist

Job Details

Working Title: Early Childhood Product Management Specialist / Product Management Specialist
Job Class: Product Management Specialist
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID: 93579
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 4/21/2026. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted
• Date Posted: 04/15/2026
• Closing Date: 04/29/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office MAPE
• Division/Unit: DCYF/Compensation Support
• Work Shift: Day Shift
• Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $37.26 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,798 - $115,716 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

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.

Job Summary

• Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.

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 that 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. Currently, the product supports the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program, the Child Care Assistance Program, and other aligned and integrated programs within the Early Childhood Administration of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

• Channel the voice of the customer and human-centered design principles in development of solutions aligned with other agency systems using a product-centric operating model that incorporates Agile and DevOps principles.
• Lead the comprehensive and technical administration of enrollment and attendance processes and build internal capacity around new ways of working, coordinate partner engagement and communication, harmonize the effort with other cross-agency modernization initiatives and enterprise frameworks, 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.
• Strategy and Planning: Create and maintain a product vision, roadmap, and governance structure and budget that generates value for customers and stakeholders while realizing financial benefits, creating new knowledge, building capabilities, and reducing risks and liabilities in alignment with product management standards.
• Product Development and Management: 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 and easy to navigate user experience through structured product discovery, delivery, and iteration.
• Product Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and gain support for the product and ensure shared ownership of product outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Leading or coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver digital services, technology products, or process improvements.
• Use of Agile, Scrum, or other iterative development methodologies.
• Product management practices, including product lifecycle management, user-centered design, backlog management, and iterative delivery.
• Collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, program staff, and external partners.
• Demonstration of 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, especially 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

It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:

• Reference check
• Criminal Background check
• Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
• Driver’s License Check
• Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
• Additional assessment may be required during the interview process

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 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 the position, contact Roz Zuest at Rozalyn.Zuest@state.mn.us.

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 Anny Xiong at anny.xiong@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DCYF ADA at ada.dcyf@state.mn.us.

About Children Youth & Families Dept

Our state depends on the success of Minnesota children, youth and families. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts children at the center of state government, creating a permanent state agency and commissioner focused on elevating children and families in policy and budget decisions.

This realigns state government to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs and practices.

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

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• 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 to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

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.