WELCOME TO THE DPS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER!
We’re excited to present the first edition of the quarterly newsletter from DPS Human Resources! Each edition will feature information about FMLA, training, labor relations and other areas of interest.
We hope you find this information helpful! If you have any feedback or suggestions for future topics, please email annie.porbeni@state.mn.us.
|
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
By Christine Johnson-FMLA Coordinator
FMLA and other leave requests
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL) and medical leave requests should now be emailed to HR.LeaveMgmt.DPS@state.mn.us instead of emailing me, Christine Johnson, directly. When requesting leave, please state whether you need leave due to your medical condition or the medical condition of a family member. This will ensure that I provide you with the correct paperwork. If it is for a family member, please state the nature of the relationship (e.g., child, parent, and spouse).
Please remember that leave requests, other than personal leaves, must be approved by Human resources in advance, when possible. If, after receiving a request, I determine the employee is eligible for the leave, I will notify the employee of their eligibility, advise them of their options and provide the necessary paperwork.
Medical documentation for FMLA or medical leave can be emailed or securely faxed to 651-797-1105.
RETIREMENT
The first step when you are ready to are ready to retire is to contact Minnesota State Retirement Systems (MSRS) at 651-296-2761. A representative can look up your record and calculate pension benefits to help you determine a retirement date.
Once the retirement date is determined, you must submit a letter of intent to retire to the supervisor and to HR staffing for their division 30 calendar days prior to the retirement date. The letter can be a simple statement of: "I intend to retire on (Date) with the employee signature."
For more information, click on the link Plan for Your Retirement.
|
VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT
By Cathy Schaefer, Office and Administrative Specialist
If you require a verification of employment, please have the requestor (e.g., bank, lender or rental agency):
- Fax a request for a written response from HR to 651-296-5173.
- Call for a verbal response from HR to 651-201-7370.
- Be advised that written responses require a one to two week processing time.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
If you participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and are required to submit annual verification of your employment to the US Dept. of Education via Form OMB No. 1845-0110, make sure you complete the following:
- On page 1, complete Section 2 and sign at the bottom.
- On the top of page 2, add your name and SSN.
- Email the form to schaefer@state.mn.us or fax to 651-297-5173.
Please indicate if you will submit the completed form yourself or if you want HR to submit to the Department of Education on your behalf. Please allow five to seven business days for completion.
|
SKILLS BUILDING AND CAREER PROGRESSION
By Jordan Groebner, Training Director
Gain confidence and manage your career growth and advancement with an Individual Development Plan (IDP). DPS HR Training supports staff with innovative, remote learning options.
As you look to the year ahead, start with specific learning goals and a learning schedule to put momentum in your career path! Attend free online courses for performance-relevant knowledge, strengthen skills to enhance your effectiveness in work, and support on-the-job efficiency.
Use the to view HR Training courses, dates and session times. View the DPS Annual Training Bulletin for information about the HR Training Program, and visit the HR Training and Development Information Hub for additional training solutions.
Emerging Leader and Senior Leadership Institutes
MMB will open the application process in May for Emerging Leader and Senior Leadership Institutes (ELI). Consider applying to for either program if you’re interested in taking your leadership skills to the next level and making a difference in state government Watch for notifications and more information from HR this spring.
Contact Jordan Groebner at: jordan.groebner@state.mn.us for training questions or assistance.
|
CAREER INFORMATION
By Victoria Schwab, Assistant HR Director
Have you ever considered “bidding” on a position? What does that mean? Am I able to do that?
You may want to explore this option, if you are ready for a new challenge or you are a life-long learner looking for new growth opportunities.
If you are looking for information about the process to bid on a position within DPS, including what you need to do and who to contact, check out Union Posting FAQ.pdf on the DPS Intranet site.
For promotional opportunities at DPS, visit Job Postings Minnesota Department of Public Safety Intranet
All career opportunities are located on the Career and Benefits page on the DPS Intranet: Career Minnesota Department of Public Safety Intranet
TAXES AND PAY CHECKS
Remember to check your first several paychecks of 2022 to ensure your deductions are correct and verify any changes you made during Open Enrollment.
2021 W-2 forms – W-2 forms are available in Self Service. If you would like to make changes to your W-4 or direct deposit, the deadline is noon on non-payday Fridays. All changes can be completed in Self Service.
|
 Upcoming Events/Reminders
-
Emerging Leader and Senior Leadership Institutes: MMB will be opening the application process for Emerging Leader and Senior Leadership Institutes in May 2022.
EXPANDING THE USE OF SICK LEAVE
By Kate Rios, Labor Relations Manager
MMB recently negotiated an MOU with AFSCME, MAPE, MMA, MGEC, and MLEA to allow for an expanded use of sick leave by employees when their minor child has been required to quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure, even if the child is not ill. The MOUs were submitted to the Subcommittee on Employee Relations on December 10, 2021, and have now received interim approval.
Effective July 1, 2021, employees are allowed to use their accrued and available sick leave to provide parental supervision for minor children who are required to quarantine by the child’s school or childcare provider per CDC or Minnesota Department of Health guidelines due to COVID-19 exposure. This allows parents to use sick leave for their children who have been directed to quarantine but may not be sick.
Employees are required to submit the following to request to use sick leave for such absences occurring after July 1, 2021:
Agency payroll will adjust hours to show sick leave usage in prior pay period(s) once the completed request is submitted and approved. The MOU allows employees to use only sick leave accruals that were available at the time of the quarantine. Sick leave accruals cannot be used retroactively.
Status of 2021-2023 Contracts and Plans
Below is the status of the 2021-2023 contracts and plans and links to a summary of changes for those contracts approved by the Subcommittee on Employee Relations (SER).
Contracts that have been settled, approved by the SER and changes have been processed:
Contracts the SER approved on January 18, 2022
Currently in Negotiation:
- Minnesota Government Engineering Council (MGEC)
- Minnesota Law Enforcement Association (MLEA)
Pending Plans:
- Commissioner’s Plan
- Managerial Plan
INTRODUCTING NEW HUMAN RESOURCES EMPLOYEES
Victoria Schwab (Assistant Human Resources Director): Assistant Human Resources Director provides management oversight and directions for staffing, transductions, classification, compensation, position management and contract interpretation.
Douglas Thies (Safety Director): Administers DPS safety and worker’s compensation programs.
Jason Goble (HR Specialist 1): Jason processes personnel transactions, answers general contract and HR procedural questions (salary, hiring, etc.) and addresses questions regarding vacancy filling, hiring lists and basic compensation questions. He is also the agency background coordinator.
Area of Responsibility: State Patrol, Capitol Security and Emergency Communication Networks
Faith Xiongblaxang (HR Specialist 1): Faith processes personnel transactions, answers general contract and HR procedural questions (salary, hiring, etc.) and addresses questions regarding vacancy filing, hiring lists and basic compensation questions.
Area of Responsibility: Driver and Vehicle Services
Brandon Beguhl (HR Tech 2): Brandon provides technical personnel support to the HR Management Division staff and DPS managers, supervisors and employees. This includes processing personnel transactions, and processing and entering background checks.
Area of Responsibility: Driver and Vehicle Services, Alcohol and Gambling, Homeland Security Emergency Management, Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education, Fire Marshal, Office of Justice Programs, Traffic Safety and the Office of Pipeline Safety.
Jewel Vang (HR Tech 2): Jewel provides technical personnel support to the HR Management Division staff and DPS managers, supervisors and employees. This includes processing personnel transactions, and processing and entering background checks.
Area of Responsibility: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Fiscal & Administrative Services, Commissioner’s Office, Human Resources, Office of Communications, State Patrol, Capitol Security and Emergency Communication Networks
Monica Franklin (HR Specialist 3): Monica handles job classifications, exams, staffing, resume examination, and establishes qualified applicant list, minimum and preferred qualifications and compensation. She addresses questions regarding hiring lists, vacancy filling, general contract and plan questions as well as basic compensation questions.
Michele Chilinski (HR Specialist 2): Michele works on job classification, exams, staffing, resume examination, and establishes qualified applicant lists, minimum and preferred qualifications and compensation. She addresses questions regarding hiring lists, vacancy filling, general contract/plan questions and basic compensation questions.
Kate Rios (Labor Relations Manager): Kate negotiates for all DPS bargaining units, consults with managers and supervisors regarding employee investigations and disciplinary action, facilitates disciplinary hearings and grievances and oversees performance management and FMLA programs.
|
