POSITION TITLE: Education Issues Specialist

POSITION JOB#: 2024-11

DEPARTMENT: Policy & Programs

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Policy & Programs Director

LOCATION: St Paul Office

HOURS/STATUS: Full Time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYEE GROUP: TEMPO

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 Months

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Policy and Program Director, the Education Issues Specialist provides expertise, direction and assistance to members and staff in support of the education issues agenda for Education Minnesota. This includes research and coordination with the national affiliates, state stakeholder groups, state agencies, and others in promoting education issues and their significance to the mission of Education Minnesota. The Education Issues Specialist will demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive space for members and staff, extending this culture of equity and inclusion into the work.

Education Minnesota is a member-led labor union that has identified racial equity and social justice as primary organizational goals. All staff are expected to participate, individually and collectively, in ongoing training, discussions, and activities to advance these goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage Education Minnesota members on professional and education issues.
• Develop and facilitate professional development and member engagement opportunities for educators across the state on professional and education issues.
• Represent Education Minnesota as liaison to various state and national education organizations, leaders, groups, and task forces including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Department of Education, PELSB, state legislators, and education stakeholder groups.
• Create high quality adult learning and leading opportunities using a racial equity lens.
• Communicate education issues in a variety of forms, especially in writing for various audiences. Formal writing - white papers, issue briefs, and content for policy makers; as well as informal writing on issues for colleagues and members.
• Participate in internal and external anti-racist, LGBTQ+ trainings.
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive space for members and staff, extending this culture of equity and inclusion into the work.
• Essential functions may also include the following:
  1. Develop and coordinate the MEA Facing Inequities and Racism in Education (FIRE) program, including Racial Equity Advocate program.
  2. Develop and coordinate the Minnesota Educator Academy professional development program.
  3. Research issues facing education and educators to provide background, data, and greater understanding of key issues to make program, policy, and legislative recommendations.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong background knowledge of the importance of labor unions in improving public education.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, plan, and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of and background in anti-racist or cultural competence curricula or tools such as Beyond Diversity, Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching, Intercultural Development Index, etc.
• Experience or in-depth study of best practices in adult learning.
• Knowledge and experience working with online learning management systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. in education or related field OR a combination of twoof the following:
  1. 10 years' experience working in a school setting.
  2. 2 years' experience delivering professional development.
  3. Demonstrated course work.
  4. Expertise in adult learning.
• Current valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (vaccination card). If you have a medical exemption, you will be asked to provide a written waiver from your medical provider. If you have a religious objection, you will be asked to provide documentation stating your religious objection.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Communicate education issues in a variety of forms, especially in writing for various audiences.
• Experience with formal writing, white papers, issue briefs, and content for policy.
• Ability to communicate issues through informal written and verbal communication.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Able to successfully pass a post offer pre-employment background check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a general office environment. This position will interact with employees, vendors, members, and the general public on a somewhat regular basis. These interactions require judgment and discretion that can involve confidential information, private information and some disagreeable human interactions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Employee is required to: CONTINUOUSLY sit, talk, and hear; FREQUENTLY stand, walk, and repetitively use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel), reach with hands and arms, bend and physically lift and carry up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and infrequently travel by various conveyances, typically via personal vehicle.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:

Maintain confidential information related to the organization, members and potential members, and staff.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Education Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect where diversity is valued, supported, and celebrated to benefit applicants, employees, members, and students. Discrimination of any kind is prohibited. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, job requirements and business needs. Education Minnesota strongly encourages women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, and veterans to apply.

POSTING DEADLINE: For best consideration, apply online and include a resume. Posting will close at 11:59pm on Monday, May 20, 2024.