DPS Communications Supervisor

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment; Saint-Paul; Hybrid; CAD 81,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking a DPS Communications Supervisor to lead a team of communications specialists delivering public information, education, media relations, and marketing support across DPS divisions.

You will provide strategic direction, oversee crisis communications planning, and ensure consistent, effective messaging that strengthens the agency's reputation while aligning with the mission and priorities of DPS.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in marketing, public relations, or multi-platform communications including contribution to public relations campaigns.
• Supervisory or lead work experience demonstrating the ability to direct work, manage conflict, hold employees accountable, support growth development, and train and motivate staff to perform jobs effectively.

Responsibilities

• supervise and lead a team of DPS Office of Communications (OOC) communications specialists who provide public information, education, media relations, public relations, and marketing support to DPS divisions.
• provide leadership, direction, and oversight to ensure the team's communications and marketing efforts support DPS's mission, vision, and strategic priorities while protecting and strengthening the agency's reputation.
• help develop and oversee strategic and crisis communications plans, recommend effective communication strategies, and ensure messaging is consistent and effective across the agency.
• Through the work of your team, you will help shape how DPS is represented to the public, the media, and other audiences.
• Employees may telework up to 50%, depending on the position and the needs of the division.

Skills

Marketing/public relations

Supervisory leadership

Media relations

Writing/editing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or Communications

Job description

• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Working Title: DPS Communications Supervisor
• Job Class: Communications Supervisor
• Agency: Public Safety Dept
• Job ID: 98321
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers and DPS employees eligible to bid. Eligible bidders (permanent, classified employees in the same job classification) should apply through self-service and confirm their bid by emailing Jess Fenlon by 11:59 PM 11/13/2026.
• Date Posted: 11/07/2026
• Closing Date: 11/20/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MMA
• Division/Unit: Public Educ. and Media Rel. / Office of Communication 2
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $41.81 - $60.10 / hourly; $87,299 - $125,488 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

At the Department of Public Safety (DPS) our employees work to improve the lives of Minnesotans by engaging with community and government partners to promote safety, service and justice. Learn more about DPS at https://dps.mn.gov/

In this position, you will supervise and lead a team of DPS Office of Communications (OOC) communications specialists who provide public information, education, media relations, public relations, and marketing support to DPS divisions.

You will provide leadership, direction, and oversight to ensure the team's communications and marketing efforts support DPS's mission, vision, and strategic priorities while protecting and strengthening the agency's reputation. You will help develop and oversee strategic and crisis communications plans, recommend effective communication strategies, and ensure messaging is consistent and effective across the agency.

Through the work of your team, you will help shape how DPS is represented to the public, the media, and other audiences. Your team's communications efforts have the potential to influence the reputation of DPS and the State of Minnesota at the statewide, national, and international levels.

Employees may telework up to 50%, depending on the position and the needs of the division.

The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in marketing, public relations, or multi-platform communications including contribution to public relations campaigns.
• Supervisory or lead work experience demonstrating the ability to direct work, manage conflict, hold employees accountable, support growth development, and train and motivate staff to perform jobs effectively.

Applicants who meet the above will be further assessed on the following:

• Skill in working with media outlets, drafting press materials and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to guide crisis communications, including high-profile or sensitive public messaging situations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities

A bachelor's degree in journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or other related fields may substitute for one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in government, public safety or law enforcement environments.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, and standards for the development of communications materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or another related field.
• Knowledge of AP style writing, ADA/WCAG, and plain language principles
• Teamwork, team building and leadership skills sufficient to build positive, professional working relationships with all levels of an organization and with public- and private- sector partners.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally moving and transporting such articles as file boxes and heavy hand tools or heavier materials with help from others, and moving and transporting light objects frequently. Even though the weights being moved and transported may be a negligible amount, a job in this category may require positioning self to move to a significant degree or may involve maintaining a stationary position for extended periods.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, which includes successful completion of the following background components:

• Criminal history
• Reference check
• SEMA4 records, personnel file and employment records (current and former State employees only)

The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify.

About Public Safety Dept

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a diverse, complex agency dedicated to serving communities across the state. DPS has 10 public facing and four support divisions with about 2,400 dedicated employees operating programs statewide that all have one goal: Building a safer Minnesota.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.