Assistant Director of Labor Standards and Operational Services

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) is seeking an Executive Director-level communications leader to shape the agency's voice and public relations strategy. You will oversee a communications team, coordinate legislative activities, and partner with divisions across the agency to ensure a unified messaging approach.

The role focuses on executive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications with opportunities to influence statewide employment and regulatory

Qualifications

• Gold National Career Readiness Certificate and bachelor's degree preferred
• Experience in public communications, government affairs, and leading a team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead communications for the agency and public relations initiatives
• Organize legislative activities, testify and lobby as needed
• Supervise and mentor the DLR communication team and related programs

Job description

Job ID: 38305

Agency: Department of Labor & Regulation - Labor Standards & Operational Services

Location: Pierre, SD preferred - Statewide out of any Job Service Office - https://dlr.sd.gov/localoffices/location.aspx

Salary: $74,499 - $93,103.92/annually, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: L

Closing Date: 11/12/2026

With a mission to promote economic opportunity and financial security for individuals and businesses through quality, responsive, and expert services, fair and equitable employment solutions, and safe and sound business practices, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) is seeking a team member to lead communications for the agency. This position is instrumental in shaping the agency's voice, enhancing employee excellence efforts, and providing critical leadership in legislative affairs and public relations. You will lead a team while working in partnership to offer support and guidance to the various divisions of the agency. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for public service and a proven track record of excellence, we invite you to apply.

Key Responsibilities include:

Executive Leadership & Strategy:

• Serve as the Executive Director of the Workforce Development Council, overseeing operational and federal compliance.
• Organize the agency's legislative activities, including testifying and lobbying.
• Maintain organization of board appointments for the agency.
• Assist in organizing and executing agency events.

Communications & Public Relations:

• Develop internal and external communication strategies to ensure unified and transparent messaging.
• Serve as the agency's primary media contact, managing press inquiries, issuing news releases, and proactively sharing the department's success.
• Support the Cabinet Secretary with communication needs and manage scheduled correspondence with the Governor's Office.
• Lead the development and maintenance of the agency's websites, SharePoint administration, and forms.
• Oversee internal communications, including agency-wide policy guidance, the IntraNews, and employee engagement initiatives.

Operational & Employee Excellence:

• Lead face-to-face onboarding sessions to greet new employees, provide an agency overview, and offer inspiration.
• Oversee agency-wide policies and processes, providing guidance to all divisions to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Establish leadership training and champion wellness efforts for the agency.

Personnel and Program Oversight:

• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to DLR's communication team, the agency's LEAN efforts, Equal Opportunity, learning management system, internal controls, continuation of operation protocol, records retention.

This is a full-time position with the Department of Labor & Regulation. The majority of this position's time is spent in the office. Travel to events across the state with occasional out-of-state travel is required. Preferred location of this position is Pierre, but will consider the position to be located in a DLR Job Service Office with at least five days per month in Pierre.

For more information on the Department of Labor & Regulation, please visit https://dlr.sd.gov/ .

Licenses and Certifications:

Gold National Career Readiness Certificate and bachelor's degree preferred

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Experience in public communications, establishing policy and procedures, government affairs, managing a team and leading others.

Knowledge of:

• Public Administration & Governance: Understanding of state government structure and legislative processes.
• Strategic Communications & Media Relations: Understanding of public relations principles, media operations, communication protocols, and branding strategies.

Skills:

• Lobbying & Legislative Advocacy: Analyzing legislation, lobbying stakeholders, and delivering testimony before legislative committees.
• Executive Support & Writing: Advanced written communication skills used to draft executive briefing materials, news releases, governor's correspondence, and internal policy guidance.
• Personnel Management & Mentorship: Proven skill in supervising professional staff, managing performance, and leading teams
• Digital Platform Administration: Technical skill in administering SharePoint environments and managing the agency website content.
• Event Coordination & Public Speaking: Skill in organizing major agency events, leading face-to-face employee onboarding sessions, and presenting inspirational overview materials.

Abilities:

• Executive Presence: Ability to establish credibility, build collaborative relationships, and serve as a representative for the agency.
• Discretion & Political Acumen: Ability to handle sensitive information and align agency initiatives with the Governor's agenda.
• Adaptability & Multi-Tasking: Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects with competing deadlines.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC:

If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here .

This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

#LI-Onsite