Director, Employment and Economic Assistance

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $124,278 - $155,347(Salary grade 113)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $124,278-$194,184
LOCATION: West St. Paul
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: Open until 4:30 pm on September 24, 2025

The Economic Assistance Director serves as the administrator for public assistance programs, child support, and employment services ensuring state rules, laws and requirements for the State Department of Human Services and State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This position oversees the budget in accordance with federal and state regulations, and human services approved plans and policies and coordinates the overall operations and personnel engaged in the service delivery. The Director directly supervises Deputy Directors, Administrative Manager, and other roles as needed. As a member of the Community Services Division senior management team, the director reports to the Community Services Division Director.

To view additional information for the Director of Employment and Economic Assistance, please click here: Position Profile - E&EA Director

* Master's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related human services field AND Four (4) years progressive leadership experience in a Human Services Agency which included a minimum of three (3) years of professional level staff supervisory experience.
OR
* Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related human services field AND Six (6) years of progressive leadership experience in a Human Services Agency which included a minimum of three (3) years of professional level staff supervisory experience.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Provide visionary thinking on issues that impact Community Services and collaborating entities and assist with developing Community Services strategic goals. Provide leadership in establishing and achieving a vision for Employment and Economic Assistance in Dakota County that supports the broader division and county vision and goals around an integrated service delivery model.
2. Lead department strategic planning and budget development that aligns with Community Services division and Dakota County vision and goals.
3. Active participation and input on budget solutions for Employment and Economic Assistance department and the Community Services Division.
4. Active and ongoing management of department budget.
5. Provide oversight of performance management for programs that support achieving strategic goals and ties in with broader division and county performance management program; integrate findings into service delivery operations beyond the department.
6. Establish performance measures that focus on creating new value and solutions for customers and the organization. Identify disparate outcomes and develop strategies to address.
7. Facilitate ongoing collaborative committees/workgroups to provide services, problem solving and program development across boundaries/systems.
8. Enhance performance and outcomes through increasing: staff with diverse backgrounds (ethnicity, socioeconomic, race, sexual orientation, etc.) to reflect the people we serve, inclusivity of varied experiences and perspectives, and equity in service delivery.
9. Recommend, monitor and evaluate contracted programs/agencies.
10. Along with team of managers, interpret federal, state and county rules, regulations and policies for subordinate staff.
11. Coordinate and monitor the preparation of personnel, statistical, financial and activity reports.
12. Actively participates in professional trade associations to improve overall quality of services.
13. Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity County wide, actively supports the County's diversity initiatives, and works to address the needs of diverse and underserved communities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-13 are essential functions.

. Knowledge of human resource policies and procedures in the public sector
. Working knowledge of state and federal laws regulating the administration of employment and economic assistance programs
. Knowledge of principles and techniques related to strategic planning, management analysis, and program evaluation, budgeting, information systems and contracting for services
. Skill in developing written presentations, making oral presentations, listening, interpersonal relations, mediation and negotiation
. Ability to inspire others to achieve results by promoting involvement, participation and cooperation; demonstrate ability to inspire and motivate beyond the Employment and Economic Assistance department
. Ability to navigate with ease across systems in the County to provide leadership and expertise to improve services and client outcomes.
. Continual focus/impact on improving client outcomes
. Demonstrated expertise in driving organizational change, visioning, implementation, evaluation across systems
. Ability and skill to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of professional and administrative support personnel
. Ability to analyze and change existing processes to design effective organizations to meet or exceed customer service goals
. Ability to synthesize and integrate divergent viewpoints for the good of the organization
. Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others
. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs, systems, policies and procedures
. Ability to use innovative approaches to advance customer and community involvement
. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a County office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but it not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machines.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Dakota County welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The County aims to reflect the community and clients it serves, and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.