Serve Yourself while Serving Others at Rural Minnesota CEP

Today's job reports indicate low unemployment rates that contrast with struggles of employers’ ability to find quality workers. Perhaps one answer comes from a 2021 poll that showed barely half of those surveyed believed their job was meaningful. Individuals are being more selective, seeking that career to support their financial needs while providing the satisfaction of making a difference.

But where are those jobs? Rural Minnesota CEP.  

“To work at Rural Minnesota CEP, a person must have the drive to be compassionate, being purposeful about helping others feel good about their work,” said Melissa Kain, Human Resources Manager with Rural Minnesota CEP. “As an organization, we are driven to do the same for our employees.” 

Rural Minnesota CEP is a private, non-profit corporation that provides quality workforce development services in a nineteen-county area in North Central and West Central Minnesota. Those services help people find jobs, get the training needed to find the job they want or begin career exploration and planning. The organization’s vision is to inspire ‘positive change leading to successful and prosperous individuals and communities through the power of work.’

Rural MN CEP Jobs

Rural Minnesota CEP is hiring, with positions periodically available at its CareerForce offices in WorkForce Center buildings in Moorhead, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Bemidji, Brainerd, Wadena and Little Falls. 

“We continually strive to find the best-qualified candidates for employment in our agency,” said Kain. “We have a team-oriented culture, are dedicated to serving our customers and offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.”

Benefits

Rural Minnesota CEP benefits are highly competitive, said Kain. One example is Paid Time Off (PTO). New hires immediately begin with 19.5 days per year and gain up to 31.5 after just five years of employment. 

“PTO days accrue beginning with the first day of employment, which is very generous in our industry,” said Kain.

Employee savings in a 403b plan are equally impressive. Employees can contribute up to 100% of their paycheck beginning their first day of employment, with a 4% company match with the first month of work. The maximum company match is 5.5%, also reasonably high for a nonprofit organization.

The Doctor’s Certified Leave/Short Term Disability allows for an employer-paid benefit of 100% of a worker’s monthly salary after a 30-day waiting period. The health reason has to be identified by a doctor and includes maternity leave.

Training

Rural Minnesota CEP relies heavily on providing quality training for its employees. Like many organizations, it paused training programs with the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed them again quickly with remote training and other thoughtful formats. Recent training programs included virtual training for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Catch Your Dream Consulting. Employees also participated in blended training on Mental Health First Aid with Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Detroit Lakes to provide staff to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.

Great place to work

Both at a corporate level and individual locations, Rural Minnesota CEP embraces the value of helping employees feel comfortable and enjoy where they work. Each CareerForce Center is located in beautiful areas of Minnesota, delivering that desirable quality of life sought by so many. 

“We also seek to generate camaraderie through team-building activities, like virtual retirement parties during the pandemic, to experiences like Friday grill-outs and social gatherings,” said Kain. “From helping others find the work they seek to being part of caring teams, working for Rural Minnesota CEP is certainly an experience that will lead to a rewarding career.”

RMCEP is a private, non-profit corporation that provides quality workforce development services in a nineteen county area in North Central and West Central Minnesota with a vision to be viewed by customers and prospective customers as the leader in employability development services in the state. The agency is in its 52nd year of operating employment and training programs, including services of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the primary federal workforce development legislation.