Emergency Preparedness & Response Assistant Division Director - Health Assistant Division Director

Working Title: Emergency Preparedness & Response Assistant Division Director

Job Class: Health Assistant Division Director

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 97797

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes / Hybrid

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/17/2026

• Closing Date : 11/06/2026

• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

• Division/Unit : Emergency Preparedness and Response / Director's Office

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am - 4:30pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, up to 25%

• Salary Range: $51.89 - $74.31 / hourly; $108,346 - $155,159 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Managerial

• 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.

Join the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Division at the Minnesota Department of Health and help ensure Minnesota’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.

The Assistant Division Director provides high-level policy, operational, and administrative leadership for the EPR Division. In collaboration with the Division Director, this position guides strategic planning, policy development, cross-division and cross-agency collaboration, budget development and oversight, workforce development, performance management, and emergency response readiness. The role also leads efforts to build an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace culture.

This position has a statewide scope and works closely with local and tribal health departments, healthcare coalitions, federal partners, state agencies, legislators, and MDH executive leadership. The incumbent also represents the division in enterprise-level operations, legislative processes, and emergency response activities, including acting as liaison to Continuity of Operations (COOP).

Key Responsibilities of this position:

• Provide strategic direction for the division and set clear priorities.

• Build strong partnerships with internal teams and external agencies.

• Lead and support staff, including coaching and performance management.

• Oversee budgets, grants, and operations to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

• Ensure the division is prepared for and able to respond effectively to public health emergencies.

In accordance with HR/LR Polic y #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. 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

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.

Four (4) years of experience providing policy, operational, or administrative direction, management, or oversight in a public health, emergency management, healthcare, government, or comparable organizational setting.

This experience must include demonstrated leadership , such as:

• Direct supervisory experience, OR

• Serving as a team lead, lead worker, or project lead (as defined), OR

• Completion of the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI), Senior Leadership Institute (SLI), or an equivalent leadership development program, OR

• Leading a formal organizational program, workgroup, or committee for at least 1 year at 100+ hours per year, which included identifying issues, goals, and strategic actions.

Qualifications to be assessed during the interview process:

• Ability to communicate effectively in meetings, virtually, and in high-stakes or cross-agency situations.

• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners, including communities disproportionately affected by emergencies.

• Ability to lead and develop others, including giving clear direction, coaching, feedback, and supporting an inclusive and equitable environment.

• Ability to analyze complex problems and make sound decisions, especially when situations are ambiguous or high-pressure.

• Ability to lead change effectively, including addressing concerns, helping staff adapt, and guiding teams through transitions.

Substitution:

A related doctoral degree may substitute for two years of experience; a master’s or juris doctor degree may substitute for 18 months; a bachelor’s degree for one year; an associate degree for six months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing financial systems, including budgets of $10M+, grants, or large contracts.

• Experience in public health emergency preparedness and response, including use of the Incident Management System.

• Experience supervising managers or multi-disciplinary teams.

• Experience working with legislative materials such as fiscal notes, testimony, or other policy documents.

• Experience writing technical reports, policies, or public presentations.

• Experience applying equity principles in program planning or workforce development.

Additional Requirements

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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.