MNPDB Executive Director / Executive Asst

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 7,488,000 - 7,489,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Pension plan

Job summary

The State of Minnesota seeks an MNPDB Executive Director / Executive Assistant to lead the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protection Agent Services, overseeing daily operations, regulatory compliance, and staff management. This role reports to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Deputy Superintendent and requires strategic vision and public safety oversight.

Telework is allowed up to one day per week with supervisory approval; travel up to 15% may be required.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in program administration, policy planning, or public sector administration.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or working with regulatory boards, commissions, or executive leadership in governance or advisory capacity.
• Knowledge of Minnesota laws, statutes, and rules regarding the private detectives and protective agent industry.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to represent the Board before Legislature, at conferences, by phone, and in person.
• Previous leadership experience, including managing staff priorities, organizational objectives, and budgets.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee license applications, renewals, corporate changes, training certifications, and penalties with thorough background checks.
• Act as primary spokesperson, maintain stakeholder relations, publish a monthly newsletter, and deliver educational presentations.
• Represent the Board in the legislature, provide testimony, draft rule/statute revisions, and prepare fiscal notes.
• Direct complaint and unlicensed activity investigations, prepare committee reports, and represent the Board in legal proceedings.
• Manage agency staff, conduct performance reviews, handle labor contracts, and oversee hiring and training.
• Coordinate mandatory government reports, maintain records systems, and facilitate monthly board meetings.
• Manage the annual budget, monitor expenses, oversee fee collections, and ensure financial compliance.
• Maintain digital record systems, enforce data retention policies, update the website, and oversee cybersecurity training.

Skills

Program administration

Policy planning

Public sector administration

Regulatory boards experience

Budget management

Leadership

Verbal and written communication

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field

Job description

Working Title: MNPDB Executive Director / Executive Asst

Job Class: Executive Assistant

Agency: Private Detective Board

• Job ID: 96444
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes - Up to one day per week with supervisory approval.
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/04/2026
• Closing Date: 09/24/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Private Detective Board / Private Det-Managerial
• Division/Unit: Private Detectives Bd / Private Detective Board
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 15% of the time
• Salary Range: $35.80 - $52.18 / hourly; $74,750 - $108,951 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Administrative
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

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 Executive Director serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for leading, managing, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protection Agent Services (MNPDB). Operating with a high degree of independence, this role administers state laws and agency rules, manages an annual budget, and directs agency staff to ensure effective public safety oversight and regulatory compliance.

The Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protection Agent Services (MNPDB) is a five-member panel comprised of one licensed private detective, one licensed protective agent, one law enforcement representative, and two public members. The board oversees more than 400 investigative and security license holders. The growth of these services can be seen in the increase in new license applications and the reissuance of well over 100 licenses annually. The increased use and visibility of these services contribute to the safety and protection of people and property. The board monitors, educates, and disciplines license holders using its authority to ensure statutes, rules, and standards are being met. The board identifies concerns regarding changes in government public safety efforts and these privately provided services.

Through this hiring process, this position will be appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. This position will report to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Deputy Superintendent for day‑to‑day activities.

Summary of responsibilities

• Oversee license applications, renewals, corporate changes, training certifications, and penalties while ensuring thorough background checks.
• Act as the primary spokesperson, maintain stakeholder relations, publish a monthly newsletter, and deliver educational presentations.
• Represent the Board in the legislature, provide testimony, draft rule/statute revisions, and prepare fiscal notes.
• Direct complaint and unlicensed activity investigations, prepare committee reports, and represent the Board in legal proceedings.
• Manage agency staff, conduct performance reviews, handle labor contracts, and oversee hiring and training.
• Coordinate mandatory government reports, maintain records systems, and facilitate monthly board meetings.
• Manage the annual budget, monitor expenses, oversee fee collections, and ensure financial compliance.
• Maintain digital record systems, enforce data retention policies, update the website, and oversee cybersecurity training.

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

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume and cover letter clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here.

• Three (3) years of experience in program administration, policy planning, or public sector administration. (A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, public policy, or related field may substitute for one year of experience.)
• Demonstrated experience supporting or working with regulatory boards, commissions, or executive leadership in a governance or advisory capacity.
• Knowledge of Minnesota laws, statutes, and rules regarding the private detectives and protective agent industry.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively represent the Board before Legislature, at conferences, by phone, and in person.
• Previous leadership experience, including the ability to manage staff work priorities, lead organizational objectives, and manage budgets.
• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies.
• Previous experience in the private detective/protective agent field.
• Previous experience or knowledge of the legislative process.

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)
• Credit check
• Fingerprinting (MNJIS/CJIS)
• Drug + cannabis screen

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 Private Detective Board

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.

• 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. For accommodations or questions about accessibility specifically relating to this job announcement, please email the Affimitive Action Division at [e-mail] or call 651-539-1875 (voice) or using your preferred telecommunications relay provider.