Workforce Development Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $61,591.00 - $74,864.00 Annually
Location : Duluth, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: D26051
Department: Workforce Development
Opening Date: 05/13/2026
Closing Date: 5/29/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Basic
Probation Period: 12 months
Eligible List Duration: 2 months
Job Posting Information
A Note from Workforce
We are currently hiring one staff in the Workforce Development Technician I classification.
This individual will primarily work with the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) team, providing case management and employment services to individuals who receive cash assistance. The goal of the MFIP program is to support participants in remaining in compliance with MFIP program requirements, while helping them overcome barriers and attain their personal, education, and employment goals. This goal contributes to our department's overall purpose: To help individuals build economic self-sufficiency and achieve their potential. We do this by recognizing everyone's potential and using a person-centered, trauma-informed approach. We provide individualized coaching and support, personal and career-focused skill development, and connection to training and other resources.
Across all our programs, our purpose is to help individuals build economic self-sufficiency and achieve their potential, while helping our community build a resilient economy through investment in its current and future workforce. We do this by recognizing everyone's potential and using a person-centered, trauma-informed approach. We provide individualized coaching and support, personal and career-focused skill development, and connection to training and other resources.
Duluth Workforce Development is a team-oriented environment with dedicated staff who are experts in the field. Our workplace culture is collaborative, with opportunities to develop leadership and professional skills integrated into our day-to-day work. Equity is a core value, and we strive to create a workplace and service environment that is welcoming and inclusive. We seek an individual who gets along with others, and is interested in challenging their own biases in order to do their work in a way that is culturally competent.
About the Job
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
This is an entry-level class within the Workforce Development Technician series performing work in compliance with government regulations and grant performance standards, planning, developing, and implementing programs to assist clients in pursuing their career goals, assist employers in meeting their workforce needs, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Employees at this level are distinguished from the Workforce Technician II level by the amount of guidance and instruction needed to perform duties as assigned, and are not expected to function with the same amount of knowledge, proficiency, or skill level as positions allocated to the Workforce Development Technician II. Positions at this level exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
1. Instruct clients in job search and job retention strategies.
2. Utilize existing curriculum for presentations and workshops that teach clients methods to obtain work and orient them toward programs and services available.
3. Inform clients of and make referrals to other appropriate community resources.
4. Recruit, enroll, and evaluate clients' performance in workforce development programs.
5. Determine the need for and authorize support services within established guidelines.
6. Analyze employment trends in order to advise clients in their job search.
7. Arrange for opportunities for on-the-job training, skill upgrading, and certifications.
8. Oversee the hiring, training, and job performance of work experience participants.
9. Educate employers about tax benefits, insurance, and other benefits related to workforce development programs.
10. Interface with employers and program participants to ensure employment and work experience placements are successful.
11. Receive referrals and conduct interviews to determine program eligibility, investigating to identify and assess client problems, needs, strengths, and assets.
12. Complete initial and ongoing assessments to evaluate interests, aptitudes, abilities, and barriers to employment and to determine employment goals
13. Utilize assessment results to write strengths-based employment plan, and monitor progress on plan implementation on at least a monthly basis.
14. Counsel, guide, and evaluate clients' implementation and continued progress of their employment plans.
15. Apply sanctions for noncompliance and remove them when corrective behaviors are demonstrated, where applicable.
16. Conduct mandatory home visits as required by state and county government, following all safety protocols set by office policy, where applicable.
17. Document all client activities and interactions through online case management system; create and maintain confidential records and files.
18. Assist in preparing required reports.
19. Correspond and collaborate with other agencies providing client services.
20. Serve as a member of committees and interdisciplinary teams as required.
21. Be an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines.
22. Other duties may be assigned.
Job Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
Education & Experience Requirements
A. Possession of a college degree in a human service/human resource or management based field (such as vocational rehabilitation, public administration, human resource management, sociology, or psychology); OR
B. High School Diploma or GED plus four (4) years of experience in job placement, career counseling, or a related field.
Selection Process Information
Education/Experience Review (100% of scoring process; 70 pass point): Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be rated based on the type (relatedness) and extent of their education and experience as documented on their application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass this exam will have their names placed on an eligible list for this classification.
Top-ranked candidates on the eligible list will be brought in for two rounds of panel interviews, where they will meet staff from Workforce Development, have the opportunity to share more details about their background and perspectives, and discuss scenarios they might experience on the job.
Non-Discrimination
The City of Duluth is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Alternative Exam Process (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
For individuals who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alternative examination processes are available on an individual basis upon prior arrangement. Contact Human Resources at 218-730-5210, as soon as possible prior to the scheduled date of the exam. TDD services are available through 218-730-5630.
Work Eligibility
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Duluth requires verification of identity and work eligibility at the point of hire.
Right to Appeal (does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, temporary, or part-time non-union selections)
Any applicant who has been found qualified to participate in a selection process for a position in the classified service who has reason to contest the validity or fairness of any step in the selection process may appeal to the Civil Service Board within 10 calendar days of the examination. (If the examination is an Education & Experience Review, the applicant must appeal within 10 calendar days of the closing date for accepting applications.) The notice of appeal shall be in writing, shall contain a complete statement of the matter in controversy and the relief requested, and shall be signed and dated by the appellant. The notice shall be addressed to the Civil Service Board and be delivered to the Human Resources Office. If an applicant wishes to file an appeal electronically, the notice should be sent by email to .
VETERANS PREFERENCE
Does not apply to Charter Appointment, provisional, seasonal, temporary, or part-time non-union selections
To apply for Veterans Preference, the applicant must attach the required documents when submitting their application.

• Scan and combine all documents into one file before uploading it to the Attachments section of the application.
• Submitting this information is optional, but preference points cannot be awarded without it.
• Points are only awarded if the applicant passes all exams and submits all required documents to Human Resources.

OPEN SELECTIONS
Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge.

Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Spouse of Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• Marriage certificate;
• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must currently be married to the veteran;
• The veteran must meet the minimum qualifications for the position but be unable to use the preference because of a service-connected disability. The applicant must explain this in their response to the related question in the Agency Questions section of the application.

Spouse of Deceased Veteran
Required Documents:

• Marriage certificate;
• Death certificate;
• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must not have remarried;
• The veteran must have died during active duty or as a result of an injury received during active duty.

PROMOTIONAL OR INTERNAL SELECTIONS
Points are only awarded to Disabled Veteran's score one time, on first promotional or internal only selection process after securing City employment.
Disabled Veteran
Required Documents:

• DD214 or DD215 ("Member-4" copy) showing honorable discharge;
• USDVA Disability Rating Decision showing a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater, dated within the past 12 months.

Please refer to for additional information about Veterans' Preference.
Eligible City of Duluth employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Training and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.
01
In your own words, please describe how your Education & Experience align with the requirements of this job (be specific).
02
Describe your past experience in case management and/or employment counseling.
03
Describe your past experience with or knowledge of public assistance programs, and/or workforce services,
04
Describe your past experience managing paperwork-intensive human service programming, including writing case notes, documenting services delivered, and documenting expenditures.
Required Question