Public Assistance Programs Leader

Dakota County, Minnesota; West Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 103,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakota County in Minnesota is seeking a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager in the Employment & Economic Assistance department. This role provides strategic leadership for public assistance programs, including Medical Assistance/Medicaid and SNAP, ensuring equitable, accessible, and compliant service delivery.

The position leads a large team, develops leaders, and collaborates with county IT, state agencies, and contractors to modernize operations while advancing diversity, equity, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services Administration or related field and 4 years full-time paid experience in a human services agency, 2 years experience in a supervisory or operations lead capacity
• An equivalent combination of education and experience equal to 8 years, 2 years experience in a supervisory or operations lead capacity
• A valid Driver's License
• Preferred: Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services Administration or related field

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop staff by directly supervising, coaching, and mentoring public assistance supervisors; developing future leaders; and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Manage staffing and workforce operations, including hiring recommendations, work assignments, scheduling, performance management, staff development, and resolution of employee concerns and grievances.
• Oversee program operations and service delivery to ensure department goals are achieved, services meet customer needs, and operations remain effective, efficient, and service-oriented.
• Monitor workload distribution and staffing capacity in partnership with the co-manager; analyze workload trends and recommend adjustments to promote equitable distribution of work and effective use of resources.
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts by analyzing performance measures, production data, service outcomes, and customer needs to identify trends, address operational challenges, and implement improvements.
• Oversee program compliance, quality assurance, and audits to ensure adherence to federal, state, and county requirements and to support accurate, timely, and consistent program administration.
• Direct the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, and practices in accordance with federal, state, and county regulations and operational requirements.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to assess program and fiscal impacts, recommend necessary changes, and guide implementation.
• Partner with the Deputy Director on strategic and financial planning to align program operations, business strategies, and resource allocation with county and state priorities.
• Coordinate the implementation and administration of public assistance programs and services, including evaluating service needs, recommending new or revised programs, and supporting the implementation of new initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of operational strategies and systems that improve program effectiveness, staff efficiency, and customer service, including partnering with County IT, contractors, and state agencies to advance technology solutions.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with county departments, regional and state agencies, community organizations, and service providers to coordinate services, address community needs, and improve program outcomes.
• Advance equitable, accessible, culturally responsive, and respectful services and workplace practices that support inclusion, strengthen community relationships, and improve the customer and employee experience.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of program communications and resources, including public-facing information, web content, and internal guidance to promote accurate, accessible, and consistent communication.
• Prepare and present operational, financial, and performance information through statistical and narrative reports, recommendations, and RBAs to support decision-making, policy direction, and required authorizations.
• Represent the Deputy Director and support department leadership in assigned initiatives, management decisions, cross-departmental efforts, and other responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Driver's License

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services Administration or related field

Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services Administration or related field

Job description

Dakota County in Minnesota is seeking a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager in the Employment & Economic Assistance department. This role provides strategic leadership for public assistance programs, including Medical Assistance/Medicaid and SNAP, ensuring equitable, accessible, and compliant service delivery.

The position leads a large team, develops leaders, and collaborates with county IT, state agencies, and contractors to modernize operations while advancing diversity, equity, and