Health Equity Lead / DEI Specialist Senior

State of Minnesota; Saint Peter (MN); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation & sick leave

12 paid holidays

Pension plan

Employer paid life insurance

Job summary

The State of Minnesota is seeking a Health Equity Lead to advance health equity across DCT divisions and address social determinants of health. This role centers data-driven evaluation to inform decisions and systemic improvements.

The position partners with division leadership to implement equity plans, ensuring culturally responsive services, anti-discrimination in health programs, and meaningful staff development. Hybrid work is offered.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of diversity, equity and inclusion wok experience; demonstrates the following.
• Experience with contemporary diversity, equity, inclusion, and multiculturalism theories and issues.
• Experience communicating complex information to varied audiences.
• Experience supporting and advising teams, coordinating training and staff development, and facilitating meetings.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead divisional health equity audit and implementation, tracking, and evaluation of health equity action plan.
• Lead service line implementation of health equity strategies, conduct performance and accountability evaluation with divisional leadership.
• Co-lead incorporation of equity in strategic planning and policy development to support system change.
• Provide leadership to ensure staff understand health equity policies and are engaged in developing health equity skills.

Skills

DEI experience

Communication

Facilitation

Training & development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, health education, social work or related field

Master’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, health education, social work or related field

Job description

• Job ID: 98073
• Location: St. Peter
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/29/2026
• Closing Date: 11/12/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / MAPE DCT Central Office
• Division/Unit: DCT Support Services / DCT Health Equity
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8am-4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $31.81 - $46.96 / hourly; $66,419 - $98,052 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

• Job ID: 98073
• Location: St. Peter
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/29/2026
• Closing Date: 11/12/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / MAPE DCT Central Office
• Division/Unit: DCT Support Services / DCT Health Equity
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8am-4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $31.81 - $46.96 / hourly; $66,419 - $98,052 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: Health Equity Lead

Job Class: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Senior

Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

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.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.

*This position will be hybrid with 3 days on-site in St Peter and 2 days Telework*

Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) is seeking an individual to join our DCT Health Equity Team as a Health Equity Lead! This position will support statewide efforts to advance health equity within DCT and systematically address social determinants of health in alignment with DCT’s mission, vision, strategic direction, and the goals of the DHS Equity Policy. The Health Equity Lead will support the implementation of a health equity plan in DCT divisions to eliminate disparities in service delivery and workplace culture. An emphasis of this position is to make data driven evaluation to inform decision making, program evaluation, and systems change by centering individuals served in DCT programs whose lives continue to be impacted by systemic inequities. This position will work with divisional health equity teams to advise leadership and management on resources, tools, implications, strategies, and best practices to apply an equity lens in decision making. This may include operational decisions at the site level, cultural responsiveness for client planning, and strategic planning processes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Co-lead divisional health equity audit and implementation, tracking, and evaluation of health equity action plan.
• Lead service line implementation of health equity strategies, conduct performance and accountability evaluation in partnership with divisional leadership and management.
• Co-lead incorporation of equity as a foundation in strategic planning and policy development/review and mobilizing initiatives to support an infrastructure for system change.
• Provide leadership in partnership with DCT support services and service lines to ensure staff understand DCT’s vision for health equity, applicable policies, and procedures, and are engaged in developing their health equity skillset and intercultural development with specific attention to culturally responsive services, racial health disparities, the social determinants of health, and non-discrimination in health programs.
• Support planning, designing, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and reporting on assessment and evaluation activities relevant to health disparities data.
• Support DCT’s commitment to health equity by evaluating clinical quality, equity in service delivery, demographic data, and healthy workplace data. This position provides expertise in scientific research, methodology, and analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years of diversity, equity and inclusion wok experience which demonstrates the following:

• Experience working with ethnically and culturally diverse communities, American Indian, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, veterans and/or other communities that experience health inequities.
• Experience with contemporary diversity, equity, inclusion, and multiculturalism theories and issues.
• Experience communicating complex information in varied settings to a wide variety of audiences.
• Experience supporting and advising teams, coordinate training and staff development, and meeting facilitation.

Note: A bachelor’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, health education, social work or related field may substitute for 1 year of experience OR a master’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, health education, social work or related field may substitute for 18 months of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in residential/hospital level of healthcare.
• Experience in healthcare addressing social determinants of health across a spectrum of populations.
• Experience providing consultation and coaching to management to improve cross-cultural communication.
• Understanding of the role and operation of state government in building the health and human services infrastructure.
• Skills in Project Management.
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

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.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma OR a copy of their highest degree earned at time of interview. Copies of a college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned and the graduation date.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

About Direct Care And Treatment

Direct Care and Treatment is a highly specialized behavioral health system operated by the State of Minnesota. DCT operates treatment programs, residential and vocational services for people with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and more.

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.