Program Admin Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $140,000.00 - $160,000.00 Annually
Location : St. Paul
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 09513
Division: GAL Program Administration
Department: GAL Prog Administration
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Position Description
We support trained, effective Guardians ad Litem to advocate for safe and permanent homes for the children we represent. Together, we will build and sustain an effective, racially equitable program that advocates for children and their families with compassion, high engagement, and a community lens.
About Us
The Program prepares and supports advocates who represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. Our Guardians ad Litem are independent from the court and the child welfare system and are appointed by a judge to represent a child's best interests in court proceedings.
Since its inception, the Minnesota Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program has committed itself to giving abused and neglected children a strong voice in our court system. The Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Program is a state agency providing services throughout the state of Minnesota.
Position Description
Guardian ad Litem Program Administrator-Supporting advocacy through Leadership
This is a highly responsible, senior-level managerial and administrative position providing direction and oversight of administrative activities for the State Guardian ad Litem Program. Work involves oversight of program operations and management of GAL program managers and program staff, as determined. This position reports directly to the Guardian ad Litem Board. Work requires the exercise of considerable independent judgment and decision-making in accordance with guardian ad litem program standards, administrative policies, procedures, and rules.
This position will provide leadership and support to the Guardian ad Litem Board, review of program policies, rules and standards, budget management, and staff management through the supervision of GAL manager positions statewide. This position serves as an administrative representative of the GAL program with external stakeholders including the Judicial Branch, Legislature, state offices, justice partners and community representatives.
Work is performed with significant independence for initiative, judgment, and action.
The Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as its next Program Administrator. Reporting directly to the State Guardian ad Litem Board, the Program Administrator serves as the chief executive and administrative leader of the statewide Guardian ad Litem Program. This role oversees organizational strategy, statewide operations, legislative engagement, financial management, policy implementation, and staff leadership across a complex public-sector child advocacy organization.
Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the administrative representative of the statewide program in meetings and on committees and task forces with the courts, program stakeholder groups, the public and the media.

• Analyzes program policies, guidelines, procedures, and practices, and recommends adjustments in response to changing organizational needs and external benchmarks.

• Oversees the daily operations of the GALP; conducts as needed meetings to coordinate work of the office to identify emerging issues and problems and to develop strategies and action plans.
• Oversees and directs the work of various GAL program staff as determined by the board.
• Assists with the GALP strategic plan development and monitoring to assure it furthers program priorities.
• Creates performance and development plans for assigned GALP managers, conducts periodic discussions on progress, and prepares written performance for their direct reports.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of the GALP budgets.
• Collaborates with management, HR, and Program Board regarding grievance process.
• Represents the GALP and the Program Administrator to the GAL Board and external justice partners and other branches of government.
• Cohesive collaboration with the GAL board.

Qualifications
Demonstrated leadership experience within child welfare, family court, public-sector, judicial branch, legal, or closely related systems.
Strong understanding of Minnesota child welfare statutes, court processes, and related systems.
Experience leading complex organizations, programs, or statewide operations.
Experience working with boards, public agencies, legislators, and external stakeholders.
Strong strategic planning, operational leadership, and organizational management skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build trust, and navigate complex organizational environments.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public presentation skills.
Experience managing budgets, public resources, and organizational operations.
Ability to lead with sound judgment, decisiveness, and clarity in complex situations.
A bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, behavioral sciences, law, public policy, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees such as an MSW, JD, MPA, or related graduate degree are preferred.
Supplemental Information
The Location:
Work is performed primarily in an office; some travel may be required. Working long hours is required, multi-tasking, and dealing with conflict in an often-stressful environment.
The Benefits:

• 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• State of MN insurance benefits and retirement package
• Flexibility
• Public service

Interested?
This is a 1.0 FTE full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $140,000 - $160,000 and a very comprehensive benefits package. More details in the full position profile
TO APPLY: Complete the online application at Application deadline is Friday June 26th, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Please allow approximately 45 minutes to complete the on-line application process. Posted for internal and external application submission simultaneously.
The Guardian ad Litem Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the principles of diversity. We actively seek and encourage applications from persons of diverse backgrounds. It is the policy of the Guardian ad Litem Program that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. If you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process or if you have any additional HR related questions, please contact, GALHR@courts.state.mn.us.
The Guardian ad Litem Program offers affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family's wellbeing through the State of MN's Employee Group Insurance Program ().
Our wide-ranging benefits package includes the following components:
Medical Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for the is only $38.50/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $262.66 for family coverage
• Employees can choose from three different carriers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Minnesota, Health Partners, or Preferred One
• The and the for the Advantage Health Plan are on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site
• helps employees manage weight loss and reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and , a benefit that reduces out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related medical treatment
• Employees may also choose a
• Pharmacy benefits provided by CVS Caremark

Dental Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for this plan is only $13.50/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $55.40 for family coverage
• Employees can choose from two carriers: or the
• The and the are on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site

Vision Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for this plan is only $5.76/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $16.54 for family coverag
• Additional information on can be found on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site

Pre-Tax Spending Accounts

• Contributions to pre-tax accounts are taken from your paycheck before taxes are deducted, and since you pay less in taxes, your net income may be increased.
• Use to pay eligible medical and dental expenses as well as eligible dependent day care expenses.

Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability

Paid Sick Leave

• Eligible full-time employees accrue sick leave at four hours per two-week pay period
• Sick leave may be used for purposes such as medical and dental appointments, maternity leave, illness or injury for certain family members

Pension

• The Guardian ad Litem Program contributes to your
• Upon retirement, you'll receive a monthly benefit for life, with potential post-retirement increases
• Your monthly benefit will be based on factors such as length of service, high-five average salary, age at retirement, and survivor benefit selected

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan

• Retirement saving plan in addition to your pension plan

Health Care Saving Plan

• Post-employment health care saving plan that can be used to pay for medical expenses

Paid holidays

• 11 paid holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Junteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
• 2 additional floating holidays may also be offered if eligible

Paid Vacation leave
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Additional Benefits
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service.
• You can learn more about this program from the and the

Eligibility for is determined by employment status (i.e. full-time, part-time, intermittent, or temporary) as well as other job details (e.g. bargaining unit, supervisory status, etc.). Please ask Human Resources or the hiring contact about benefits at any time during the application process.
01
Do you have experience managing or supervising staff?

• Yes
• No

02
Describe your greatest work-related success which demonstrates your leadership skills.Explain what you did and the impact on the organization.
03
Provide an example of a time when you had to juggle multiple projects in a limited amount of time. Describe how you organized and prioritized the projects to get them accomplished.
04
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed?

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Other

05
What supervisor/management level experience do you have? (select all that apply)

• Budget development and management
• Managing an office, as the highest level manager on site
• Managing/Supervising office procedures and workflow
• Working directly with elected officials
• Managing/Supervising in a union environment

06
Do you have a valid Minnesota driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07
Please describe any experience you have supervising employees.
Required Question