Working Title: Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Director
Job Class: State Program Administrator Principal
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 94330
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, Hybrid 50%
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 5/26/2026.
Date Posted : 05/20/2026
Closing Date : 06/03/2026
Hiring Agency Minnesota Health Department
Division/Unit : Health Improvement / Injury Prevention and Mental Health - Violence Prevention Unit
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
Job Class Option : Injury and Violence Prevention
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
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.
Help lead Minnesota's statewide efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking and exploitation through strategic leadership, systems coordination, and meaningful community partnership. This highly visible position leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives addressing both sex and labor trafficking, including oversight of Safe Harbor programming for sexually exploited youth through age 24 and statewide labor trafficking response efforts serving individuals of all ages. The role offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful, survivor-centered work that influences policy, strengthens systems, and improves outcomes for communities across Minnesota.
The successful candidate will collaborate with a wide network of partners including survivors, community organizations, Tribal Nations, researchers, healthcare and public health professionals, educational institutions, law enforcement, judiciary and prosecutorial partners, local and federal governments, and other state agencies. This position provides leadership in advancing statewide strategies, developing and implementing long-term prevention and response initiatives, coordinating cross-system efforts, securing and managing state, federal, and private funding opportunities, and serving as a trusted technical expert before legislative committees and public forums. This role is ideal for a strategic and relationship-driven leader passionate about creating sustainable systems change and advancing Minnesota's response to human trafficking and exploitation.
Primary responsibilities include:
Oversees and provides technical support to the program grantees, including regional navigators, supportive services providers, and Tribal Nations, as well as professionals, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
Oversees and manages work from team of individuals involved in state grant programs, data collection and evaluation, training, technical assistance, and additional federal, state, and private grant implementation and management as available.
Coordinates, identifies, collects, and disseminates human trafficking knowledge, including best practices in preventing and intervening with human trafficking survivors through broad statewide and national engagement.
Serves as communications point of contact of the Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Program.
Monitors and writes grant applications for state, federal, and private funding for antitrafficking efforts that may benefit and serve survivors in Minnesota.
Ongoing contractual, project, and program duties, including program evaluation, procurement, strategic planning, and other duties as assigned.
In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, 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 further than 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.
MDH relies heavily on grant funding, in addition to state appropriated dollars. As an agency, we continually monitor funding levels and navigate some degree of uncertainty related to grant cycles and the impact of the grant funding on program priorities.
This position is currently funded and approved to be filled. While the position is funded at this time, future funding is dependent on the continuation of our funding sources. The Minnesota Department of Health works proactively to sustain programs and maintain our workforce, to avoid reductions in force to the very best of our ability. In the event of a loss of funding resulting in a necessary workforce reduction, that process is governed by our collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of experience developing, implementing, or managing programs related to human trafficking, violence prevention, public health, victim services, criminal justice, or closely related social service programs. Experience must include each of the following:
Experience leading or coordinating statewide, cross-system, multi-agency, or multidisciplinary initiatives involving public health, public safety, victim services, violence prevention, or related systems.
Experience managing incoming state, federal, and/or private grant-funded programs, including program oversight, budget management, reporting, compliance, or implementation activities.
Experience administering outgoing grants, contracts, or subawards, including monitoring grantee performance, reviewing deliverables, ensuring compliance, or managing funding processes.
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders, such as community organizations, Tribal Nations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, or advocacy groups.
Minimum qualifications assessed at interview:
Demonstrated ability to build trust, navigate complex or sensitive situations, and effectively facilitate collaboration among stakeholders with differing perspectives or priorities.
Ability to think strategically and exercise sound judgment in complex, high-visibility, and evolving environments involving public policy, systems coordination, and trauma-informed responses.
Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to present complex or sensitive information clearly, lead difficult conversations, and adapt messaging for a variety of audiences such as legislators, service providers, leadership, and community partners.
A related master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for twelve (12) months of experience; and associate's degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in public health, public administration, social work, criminal justice, law, or a closely related field.
Experience working in human trafficking prevention and response, violence prevention, victim services, trauma-informed programming, or survivor-centered initiatives.
Experience securing, managing, or expanding state, federal, or private funding opportunities, including grant writing, funding strategy, or resource development activities.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
Under U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services regulations, the successful candidate must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. This agency is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship.
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.
