Working Title: Deputy Commissioner
Job Class: Deputy Commissioner Human Services
Agency: Human Services Dept
Job ID : 92119
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 : 02/11/2026
Closing Date : 03/03/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / DHS Manager
Division/Unit : DHS-Central Office / DHS Commissioner's Staff
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $64.23 - $91.92 / hourly; $134,112 - $191,928 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.
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.
This position is eligible for telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.
The Deputy Commissioner role at the Minnesota Department of Human Services is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced leader who can navigate uncertainty with confidence and bring cohesion to a large, mission-driven organization. Along with general management of the agency, this role guides the Department's external relations and communications functions, ensuring that policy development, stakeholder engagement, and legislative strategy are aligned and effective across the state.
This position manages and directs the operations of the Department of Human Services external relations so that public policy is developed, priorities are established, and programs are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the agency. Major roles are community relations, legislative relations, county relations, federal relations, and Tribal and urban Indian relations focusing on strategic planning; department-wide objectives; organizational evaluation and change; and support to DHS managers to assure continuous quality improvement and cost effective and equitable state policies and programs.
For executives who know Minnesota's government landscape and are ready to bring strategic clarity, organizational insight, and collaborative leadership to a complex statewide system, this position offers both challenge and meaningful impact.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be a mission-driven, experienced leader who can embrace the vision and values of DHS, with proven abilities to set priorities among multiple competing demands, to establish and nurture a positive, equitable culture focused on collaboration and problem-solving, and to drive change and improvement in large complex systems. This position requires a high level of managerial and human relations skills and abilities. In addition, the successful candidate must have:
A minimum of five years of health care, government administration, legislative and/or highly related leadership experience required.
Technical expert knowledge sufficient to plan, organize, direct, implement and explain complex compliance and finance programs and practices. This includes broad knowledge of human service issues, compliance, funding mechanisms, budgets, and roles and authorities of federal, state and local government.
Thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of public and business administration and the practical uses of strategic planning and continuous improvement.
Have excellent political as well as communications and relations savvy.
Preferred Qualifications
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills sufficient to resolve differences and to influence the endorsement, acceptance and priority for agency positions and policies.
Communication skills sufficient to mobilize action to achieve organizational goals, coach and advise other program staff, facilitate meetings, make presentations, negotiate disputes, testify before the legislature, and represent the Department with external stakeholders.
Additional education, training and experience in areas of public administration, financing and policy, federal and state legislation and regulatory process strongly preferred.
Ability to identify areas of concern, weaknesses and oversee the implementation of plans that meet identified communications needs to then strengthen agency wide internal and external communication continuity.
Highly advanced human relation skills sufficient to build networks of colleagues throughout the public sector; to effectively persuade; to deal effectively with complex and oftentimes competing relationships and agendas; to build relationships with key partners, including tribes, counties and community organizations; and to understand, develop, motivate, collaborate and lead others.
Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.
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.
