Assistant Director of Labor Standards and Operational Services

South Dakota State Government; South Dakota; On-site; USD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance options

Paid holidays & vacation

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation seeks an Assistant Director of Labor Standards and Operational Services to lead communications, performance excellence, and legislative affairs. This role shapes the agency voice, manages public relations, and guides policy and internal communications across divisions.

The position oversees a team, partners with the Cabinet Secretary, and manages the agency’s media strategy, events, and digital platforms.

Qualifications

• Public administration knowledge and policy development experience.
• Strong written and oral communication for executive briefs and press releases.
• Experience leading teams and coordinating cross‑agency efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the agency’s communications strategy and media relations.
• Direct executive support, writing, and governor communications.
• Oversee SharePoint and website content; manage internal communications.
• Supervise the communications team and LEAN/Equal Opportunity efforts.

Skills

Lobbying & Legislative Advocacy

Executive Support & Writing

Personnel Management & Mentorship

Digital Platform Administration

Event Coordination & Public Speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Gold National Career Readiness Certificate

Tools

SharePoint

Website content management

Job description

Assistant Director of Labor Standards and Operational Services - 38305

Statewide, SD | Labor and Regulation | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

74,499 - 93,103 US per year

Posted 0 weeks ago

Description

Job ID: 38305
Agency: Department ofLabor & 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,

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.

NCRC:If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, 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.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

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.