Working Title: Office of African American Health Division Director - Health Assistant Division Director
Job Class: Health Assistant Division Director
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 96320
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes / Hybrid
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 08/14/2026
Closing Date : 09/08/2026
Hiring Agency : Health Department
Division/Unit : Office of African American Health (OAAH) / OAAH Division Director
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $51.89 - $74.31 / hourly; $108,346 - $155,159 / 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 Director of African American Health will lead the Office of African American Health (OAAH) to create and implement a strategic plan for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to improve its capacity to advance African American health through collaboration and strategy. The long-standing and systematic nature of the problems, with which this position is concerned, requires a deep appreciation for African American health disparities, including the effects of historical and concurrent oppression on health outcomes.
Responsibilities Include:
Coordinate African American health equity and improvement activities across MDH Bureaus for African Americans through collaboration and education.
Develop and implement new strategies and activities to advance African American health and wellbeing, including securing funding for those activities through grant applications and state budget proposals.
Ensure ongoing staff development around African American health and health disparities.
Provide expert advice and facilitate decision-making processes through policy development and writing, intentional goal setting, and internal capacity building to advance African American health.
Lead the African American Health State Advisory Council.
Oversee the Office of African American Health grant making processes to community-based organizations.
Establish strong partnerships with Minnesota state enterprise leaders and other community stakeholders.
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.
Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of progressive experience leading and managing a Health Equity program or program focused on African American Health. Experience must include the following:
Experience establishing relationships with and/or working with various stakeholders relating to African American Health.
Experience developing, managing, and overseeing budgetary functions, including grant and proposal writing.
Experience in policy development and oversight.
Demonstrated leadership experience in one of the following:
Experience as a supervisor, team lead, lead worker, project lead;
Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4, Everyday Leaders, SEAL);
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 an Employee Resource Group (ERG). This experience must include one (1) or more years identifying issues, goals and strategic actions, and a one hundred (100) or more hour per year commitment.
Degree Equivalencies:
Fields of study may include programs such as: African American Studies, Social Justice Studies, Social Work, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Public Health, or another closely related fields.
A related Doctorate degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience; a related Master's degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; a related Bachelor's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience; a related Associate degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
A deep knowledge of African American history, slavery and discrimination and how those determinants impact African American Health disparities.
Knowledge of methods to address the limitations of current data on African American health disparities.
Experience generating interest, commitment, and support for programs, policies and initiatives.
Experience coaching and mentoring leaders, managers and staff within an organization.
Additional Requirements
This employment does not require a valid driver's license, but it may require travel into the office, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
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.
