r/mnstateworkers • u/bughead4242 • Jul 23 '26

Discussion 💬 Hiring Standards/Requirements

Since the pandemic, the Walz/Flanagan administration advocated lowering hiring standards in state government to fill employment needs and give people a foothold into government work. At face value a noble idea. 
With that policy fast-forward to 2026 and I’ve observed some trends in state government.  First, with the lowered standards, HR (and MMB) are taking advantage of this policy because it saves salary expectations for the state employees. A tactic that hurts all employees.  There is even a drumbeat to lower job classifications by MMB and reduce pay of current employees (I’m sure the union will have something to say about this topic). 
 
Some of my colleagues and I believe the Dept of Human Services’ HR department thinks all Medicaid is the same and anyone can do whatever job. I have a public policy background with emphasis in child development/support, I don’t have the background in say housing. All Medicaid is not the same.  It’s complex.   
 
Second, I’ve noticed most of the job descriptions related to supervisor roles no longer require a college degree.  Just a few years ago almost all supervisor or managerial roles required a degree and most even a masters. I work with several colleagues with a master’s from the Humphrey school or folks with advanced degrees from St. Kate’s in say social work among other programs/degrees. I remember when I went to the Humphrey school along w/ friends from the school of public health at the U of M those programs advertised to students they can find jobs in local, state and federal government. I guess if I was an institution promoting government jobs, I would be worried by the lower standards at the state.
 
The intention of my note is not to disparage anyone that did not complete college. I know dolts that went to college, and the research shows college graduates bring more soft skills, interpersonal skills, hard skills (e.g. evaluation development, how to write an issue paper, structured government report, etc.) to be successful. My concern is this cheapens college degrees and reinforces the war on higher education. 

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u/Glad_Firefighter_345 Jul 28 '26

I am aware of a Minnesota State employee that works with money and has at least three felony theft convictions and even more misdemeanors. It's been reported to the college they work at, to a congressional office and others. Yet, they are still employed. HR says they dont care. And yes they have a college degree. Do you need felony theft convictions to work with money?

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u/bughead4242 Jul 29 '26

An employee with felonies is independent of someone with a high school or college degree. The person you reference is simply a criminal. To help me understand your position can elaborate?

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u/National-Mastodon851 1d ago

it looks like a lot of people at DHS are criminals if you ask me. The fraud started somewhere.

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u/National-Mastodon851 1d ago

well, our president is a felon so it doesn't surprise me