Working Title: Substance Misuse Prevention Section Manager - State Program Administrator Manager Principal
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Principal
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 92003
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 02/06/2026
Closing Date : 02/26/2026
Hiring Agency : Health Department
Division/Unit : Injury Prevention and Mental Health Division / Substance Misuse Prevention Section
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday / 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $48.45 - $69.48 / hourly; $101,163 - $145,074 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Substance Misuse Prevention Section Manager will set strategic direction for and manage the Substance Misuse Prevention Section (SMPS) in the Injury Prevention and Mental Health Division. This position leads development of agency policy analysis, program development, implementation and investment responses on the continuum of care for substance use and misuse epidemiology and prevention in Minnesota. The incumbent will represent the agency with the legislature, governor's office, other state agencies and industry on these issues. Additionally, this position will oversee a large and complex budget, lead a 45+ person section, manage a broad portfolio of grant programs, write competitive grant applications, and lead and design epidemiologic studies and programs that assess the incidence, prevalence, and preventability of substance use and misuse.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide vision, direction, and leadership for statewide substance use and misuse prevention programs, policies, and organizational practices that serve all Minnesotans.
Provide supervisory, administrative, and operational direction for supervisors in the Substance Misuse Prevention Section to ensure that program objectives are achieved.
Provide leadership and direction for policy and programs on substance use and misuse epidemiology and prevention for Minnesota, fostering particular attention on disparities and underserved populations.
Manage the section's budget of approximately $30 million per year, including state and federal appropriations, and federal and private grant funding. Plan and monitor spending from more than 10 different funding sources.
Manage the program administration, operations, human and other resources of the program so that the goals of the department are met efficiently and effectively.
In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) , this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.
Minimum Qualifications
The candidate must clearly demonstrate the minimum qualifications listed below on their resume/application to be considered for this position.
Four (4) years of experience leading and managing a public health or human services program in the field of epidemiology and/or substance use/misuse prevention. Experience must include the following:
Experience representing an organization at meetings/hearings with legislative committees, key stakeholders, various governmental agencies and/or community based organizations.
Experience in program planning, grant management, policy analysis and data analysis.
Experience working with data, information, and practices around substance use, misuse, and co-morbidities that are associated with substance use and misuse.
Demonstrated leadership experience in one of the following:
Experience as a supervisor, lead workers, team lead, project lead;
Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g., ELI, L4, Everyday Leaders);
Completion of a similar or equivalent leadership development program through another organization;
A paid or unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee, such as an Employee Resource Group (ERG). This experience must include: 1+ years identifying issues, goals and strategic actions, AND 100+ hour/year time commitment.
Minimum Qualifications to be assessed at interview:
Knowledge of legislative processes, procedural and political, sufficient to direct budgetary preparation and administration of appropriate funds, and to responds to requests from legislators.
Knowledge of the various non-governmental health-related groups in Minnesota such as professional associations, community groups, managed care organizations, business and health industry organizations, and special interest groups.
Experience working with people with lived experience and the ability to balance community-informed practice with evidence-based strategies.
Knowledge of project administration sufficient to manage a complex state agency responsibility, analyze cost-benefit considerations, design, plan, establish time and cost controls, monitor progress and evaluate project results.
Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative work with people from varying professional fields.
Degree Equivalencies:
A related doctorate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience, a related master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience; a related bachelor's degree may substitute for twelve (12) months of experience; and a related associate's degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's or Doctoral Degree in Public Health Administration, Epidemiology, Policy or another related field of study.
Advanced analysis skill sufficient to conduct public policy and program analysis, management analysis or fiscal analysis for complex policy and program issues, and to oversee analytical projects involving multiple data sources.
Human relations sufficient to build networks of colleagues across state and local agencies; to effectively persuade agency leadership, and program recipients and stakeholders; and to deal effectively with complex and often competing relationships and political agendas on a statewide or national level.
Negotiation and mediation skills sufficient to resolve differences between competing or different positions and to influence the endorsement, acceptance and priority for agency positions and policy.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
This employment does not require a valid driver's license, but it does demand travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
