Dispute Resolution Program Administrator - State Program Administrator Principal

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Telework eligible

Travel opportunities up to 15%

Job summary

State of Minnesota, Administration Dept, seeks a Dispute Resolution Program Administrator to support OCDR missions and manage administrative functions.

The role leads collaboration and dispute resolution projects, coordinates grant programs, and provides trainings to state, Tribal, and local governments. This position offers up to 50% telework and up to 15% travel.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience working as a mediator, facilitator, counselor, coach, or another form of facilitative leadership.
• Master's degree may substitute for 18 months of experience.
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Associate's degree may substitute for six months of experience.
• Proficiency with dispute resolution and collaborative processes to aid stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and collaboration.
• Effective communication and presentation skills for trainings and public settings.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook; video conferencing (Teams, WebEx).
• Cultural competency for diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work irregular hours and travel to other locations.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic collaboration with community dispute resolution centers and expand mediation coverage in the state.
• Administer OCDR grant programs following state policies.
• Coordinate OCDR activities to align with divisional goals and long-term strategy.
• Serve as lead neutral or part of a neutral team on dispute resolution cases.
• Conduct outreach to assess dispute resolution needs and resources.
• Provide training on problem-solving, conflict resolution, collaboration, and public engagement to various governments.
• Stay updated on best practices in public policy dispute resolution.

Skills

Mediation/Facilitation

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Cultural competency

Travel readiness

Education

Master's in dispute resolution or related field

Bachelor's degree substitute for experience

Associate's degree substitute for six months experience

Tools

MS Office

Teams/WebEx

Job description

Working Title: Dispute Resolution Program Administrator

Job Class: State Program Administrator Principal

Agency: Administration Dept

• Job ID : 96875

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 09/10/2026

• Closing Date : 09/30/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Administration Dept / Administration-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Collab and Dispute Res Staff

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - up to 15%

• Salary Range: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

• 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.

The Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution (OCDR) designs and facilitates collaborative processes to help government and stakeholders improve relationships, build trust, and develop wise and durable solutions to seemingly intractable issues. To learn more about our division and what we do, please visit our website at https://mn.gov/admin/ocdr/ .

We are seeking a Dispute Resolution Program Administrator to carry out the mission and vision of OCDR by supporting and leading collaboration and dispute resolution projects and supporting the administrative functions of the Office. The mission of OCDR is to serve as a statewide catalyst to advance:

• Sustainable resolution of matters of public interest.

• Effective collaboration and dispute resolution in state and local government.

• Organizational conflict management and leadership development.

• Broad use of community mediation throughout Minnesota.

• Meaningful public engagement.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting strategic collaboration with community dispute resolution centers by working with partners, grantees, and other organizations to expand coverage of community mediation across the State.

• Administering the grant program by ensuring all OCDR grant making processes comply with State policy and procedures.

• Coordinating OCDR activities and carrying out administrative functions to ensure compliance with divisional objectives, agency policies, and long-term strategic goals.

• Assisting public entities in collaborating and resolving disputes by serving as the lead neutral or on a team of neutrals on dispute resolution cases.

• Conducting outreach and investigating on dispute resolution needs and resources in Minnesota.

• Providing training on problem-solving, conflict resolution, collaboration, public engagement, organizational conflict management, and other topics to state, Tribal, and local governments.

• Staying up to date on best practices in the field of public policy dispute resolution.

This position is eligible for up to a 50% hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework arrangement, additional onsite attendance may be required for team meetings or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for details.

In addition, traveling of up to 15% will be required to meet with stakeholders, partners, and customers at their preferred location.

Minimum Qualifications

The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position.

• Three (3) years of experience working as a mediator, facilitator, counselor, coach, or another form of facilitative leadership.

• A Master's degree in dispute resolution, conflict resolution/management, solution design, organizational leadership, psychology, social work, public administration, or other closely related field may substitute for 18 months of experience.

• A Bachelor's degree as specified above may substitute for one (1) year of experience as described.

• An Associate's degree as specified above may substitute for six (6) months of experience as described.

• Possess the theoretical and practical understanding of dispute resolution and collaborative processes to assist stakeholders/customers in improving relationships and building trust.

• Superior interpersonal and human relations skills to work with individuals, staff, groups, and leadership to cultivate effective relationships and develop confidence in collaboration and dispute resolution services.

• Effective communication and presentation skills to develop effective and engaged trainings/educational sessions and present in front of small and large groups, often in public settings.

• Proficiency necessary with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook; and video conferencing platforms, such as Teams and WebEx.

• Cultural competency to be responsive to cultural, gender, racial, and other various backgrounds.

• Ability to work irregular hours, along with traveling to other locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal training and experience in mediation and facilitation of complex, multi-party public policy issues.

• Knowledge of public policy making, the interaction between branches and levels of government, and public funding processes.

• Knowledge of the roles and relationships of local, state, federal, and Tribal government.

• Strategic thinking and planning skills to identify and pursue innovative opportunities, along with development of resources and communication materials.

• Ability to adapt to continuous program changes sufficient to work constructively under pressure and cope with ambiguity and setbacks.

• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning data practices, confidentiality, and open meeting.

• Possess strong self-awareness and high emotional intelligence.

Additional Requirements

Successful applicants must pass a criminal background check through American DataBank and employment reference checks prior to employment. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and each case will be reviewed individually in alignment with fair hiring practices.

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable motor vehicle record or have other reliable transportation.

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 [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.