| Location | West St. Paul, MN |
| Salary | $103,284–$129,105 Per Year |
Program Operations Manager- Employment & Economic Assistance
Salary
$103,284.00 - $161,381.00 Annually
Location
West St. Paul, MN
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
39001.26.002
Department
Employment & Economic Assistance
Opening Date
10/23/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
General Description
POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $103,284-129,105 (111 Salary Grade)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $103,284-161,381 year
LOCATION: West St. Paul (NSC)
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: Continuous with first review of applicants on 11/6/2026
Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Dakota County is currently hiring a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager within the Employment & Economic Assistance (E&EA) Department. This position in direct partnership with Economic Supports Program Operations Manager and Deputy Director provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for Public Assistance at Dakota County. The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager leads a large and complex section that administers critical public assistance programs, primarily Medical Assistance/Medicaid, with some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, and other economic support services that promote stability, well-being, and opportunity for residents.
What You Will Do
Dakota County is currently hiring a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager within the Employment & Economic Assistance (E&EA) Department. This position in direct partnership with Economic Supports Program Operations Manager and Deputy Director provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for Public Assistance at Dakota County. The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager leads a large and complex section that administers critical public assistance programs, primarily Medical Assistance/Medicaid, with some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, and other economic support services that promote stability, well-being, and opportunity for residents.
The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager ensures the effective delivery of high-quality, equitable, accessible, and compliant services while advancing continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational readiness in an evolving policy and regulatory environment. Central to this role is a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by identifying and addressing barriers to access, promoting equitable outcomes, and ensuring services are responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of the communities served. This role is critical to positioning the County to successfully navigate significant state and federal reforms, systems modernization efforts, and changing legislative requirements affecting public assistance programs.
The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager directly co-leads and develops supervisory and future leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous learning, and belonging. Through strong leadership and deep program expertise, this position builds an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and employees are empowered to contribute fully. In doing so, the Public Assistance Program Operations Managers, along with the Deputy Director and Director of E&EA, ensure the department is well-positioned to meet current needs while preparing for future opportunities and challenges.
Minimum Qualifications
OR
AND
Preferred Experience:
Duties & Responsibilities
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 positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions
Lead and develop staff by directly supervising, coaching, and mentoring public assistance supervisors; developing future leaders; and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Manage staffing and workforce operations, including hiring recommendations, work assignments, scheduling, performance management, staff development, and resolution of employee concerns and grievances.
Oversee program operations and service delivery to ensure department goals are achieved, services meet customer needs, and operations remain effective, efficient, and service-oriented.
Monitor workload distribution and staffing capacity in partnership with the co-manager; analyze workload trends and recommend adjustments to promote equitable distribution of work and effective use of resources.
Lead continuous quality improvement efforts by analyzing performance measures, production data, service outcomes, and customer needs to identify trends, address operational challenges, and implement improvements.
Oversee program compliance, quality assurance, and audits to ensure adherence to federal, state, and county requirements and to support accurate, timely, and consistent program administration.
Direct the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, and practices in accordance with federal, state, and county regulations and operational requirements.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to assess program and fiscal impacts, recommend necessary changes, and guide implementation.
Partner with the Deputy Director on strategic and financial planning to align program operations, business strategies, and resource allocation with county and state priorities.
Coordinate the implementation and administration of public assistance programs and services, including evaluating service needs, recommending new or revised programs, and supporting the implementation of new initiatives.
Lead the development and implementation of operational strategies and systems that improve program effectiveness, staff efficiency, and customer service, including partnering with County IT, contractors, and state agencies to advance technology solutions.
Develop and maintain effective partnerships with county departments, regional and state agencies, community organizations, and service providers to coordinate services, address community needs, and improve program outcomes.
Advance equitable, accessible, culturally responsive, and respectful services and workplace practices that support inclusion, strengthen community relationships, and improve the customer and employee experience.
Oversee the development and maintenance of program communications and resources, including public-facing information, web content, and internal guidance to promote accurate, accessible, and consistent communication.
Prepare and present operational, financial, and performance information through statistical and narrative reports, recommendations, and Requests for Board Action (RBAs) to support decision-making, policy direction, and required authorizations.
Represent the Deputy Director and support department leadership in assigned initiatives, management decisions, cross-departmental efforts, and other responsibilities as needed.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily sedentary; it is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table. There is some walking, travel, and carrying up to 20lb items such as laptop, cellphone notebooks, and work papers.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
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.
Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01
Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02
Select the highest level of education completed or degree held. (Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment.)
03
Do you have a valid drivers license?
04
How many years of paid full-time experience do you have in a Human Services Agency?
05
How many years of experience do you have as a supervisor or operations lead?
06
How many years of direct budgetary management work experience do you have in a governmental agency?
07
How many years of experience do you have working or volunteering with underrepresented communities (people of color, lower social-economic levels, etc.)? Include positions where your clients were at least 20% from underrepresented populations.
08
Do you have governmental Economic Assistance experience?
09
How many years of experience do you have coordinating and overseeing a Request for Board Action (RBAs) process?
10
How many years of experience do you have working with quality assurance reports and audits?
11
The full salary range for this position is $103,284 - $161,381 and preferred hiring range is $103,284 - $129,105 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates' overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package.
Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary youd accept if selected for the position?
12
Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.
13
If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.
Required Question
Employer Dakota County
Address Administration Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372
Phone 651.438.4435
Website http://dakotacountymn.gov