Assistant Commissioner, Health Equity - Assistant Commissioner Health

Working Title: Assistant Commissioner, Health Equity
Job Class: Assistant Commissioner Health
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 84604
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 03/13/2025
• Closing Date: 04/02/2025
• Hiring Agency:  Minnesota Department of Health
• Division/Unit: Executive Office / Health Equity
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $57.96 - $82.92 / hourly; $121,020 - $173,136 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Managerial Plan
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive

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.

This position exists to plan, direct, and lead the Health Equity Bureau of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in order to advance the agency's mission of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans.  The incumbent will work collaboratively with agency leaders and staff to further embed equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism into our policies, processes, data strategy, grantmaking and organizational culture.  While the incumbent will be expected to partner with other state agencies, the Governor's Office, and nonprofit organizations to advance health equity, fostering collaboration with, and accountability to, communities most impacted by health and racial inequities will be essential for success.  Additionally, the assistant commissioner will be expected to secure new funding for community-based interventions, develop metrics to track organizational performance on equity, and advise on strategies to promote a positive, inclusive organizational culture.

The Minnesota Department of Health aims to improve awareness of and to intervene upon the pathways that create social vulnerability and ultimately lead to poor health outcomes.  Hence the successful candidate will (1) demonstrate extensive knowledge of the historical and contemporary factors that shape present-day health inequities, including but not limited to racial health inequities, (2) communicate effectively about the root causes of health inequities, and (3) identify untapped opportunities and potential solutions for the agency and state to reduce disparities. Experience in metric development, evaluation, and policy analysis will facilitate the incumbent's ability to promote accountability and align resources to drive measurable progress on health equity goals.

The successful candidate will have strong skills in strategic leadership and change management.  They will have comfort and skill, balancing competing internal and external interests, recognizing the opportunities and constraints of the public sector and an appointed role.  Additionally, advancing health equity at MDH requires strong interpersonal skills, internal partnerships, and personnel management.  The assistant commissioner of health equity will be expected to build trusting relationships that will facilitate crucial conversations about the limitations of current approaches and foster accountability within the bureau and across the agency.

In summary, working as an Assistant Commissioner of the Health Equity Bureau, this position will:

• Provide executive leadership in health equity, health policy, analytics, and organizational strategy.
• Represent MDH and provide strategic leadership and coordination across state agencies and enterprise-wide initiatives to advance health equity.
• Build and strengthen accountability for identifying and addressing community priorities.
• Advise on methods to advance equity and inclusion in employee well-being initiatives.
• Embed health equity into policies, funding and program implementation.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key leaders inside and outside of MDH to foster collaborative partnerships, including Tribal governments.
• Secure funding for new and existing initiatives.

This is an unclassified appointment which serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority, which is anticipated to end on 12/31/2026.  The position can end or be extended at any time.

This is a hybrid telework position that requires in-person meetings with external stakeholders, as well as in-office work in the downtown St. Paul location.  Telework will be based on the business needs of the unit and is at supervisory discretion.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Five (5) years of experience working on health equity,

AND

Five (5) years of experience supervising professional level staff.

This experience must also include:

• Experience addressing disparate health outcomes, in public health or closely related fields that focus on disease prevention, health promotion, population or community health, social determinants of health, or related health policy.
• Previous experience planning, organizing and directing human and fiscal resources to achieve full productivity under changing circumstances, including general budgeting and financial monitoring.
• Previous experience in data analysis and interpretation and/or program evaluation.

A degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Policy, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Medicine, Nursing, or closely related field may substitute for experience as follows:  

• Doctorate degree = twenty-four (24) months
• Master's degree= eighteen (18) months
• Bachelor's degree= twelve (12) months
• Associate's degree = six (6) months

Minium qualifications to be assessed during the interview process:

• Knowledge of and the ability to describe the mechanisms that create and reproduce racial health inequities.
• Ability to collaborate and participate with a wide variety of individuals and groups at all levels, and with competing interests.
• Leadership ability sufficient to supervise technical and managerial positions responsible for major program areas of the department and provide direction and leadership to a wide range of employees.
• Extensive knowledge of public health, public health administration, including policy development, financial management, regulatory activities, and program delivery.
• Ability to handle very complex multifaceted and complicated issues and problems in the areas of public health policy or public health administration.
• Effective at-risk communication with the ability to respond numbly during public interviews, public meetings, and other spontaneous settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight-ten (8-10) years of experience working on heath equity.
• Previous experience leading work in diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace or educational settings.
• Experience with evaluating new legislation, policies, procedures, and rules and interpreting them to analyze organizational fiscal and policy impact.
• Experience responding to media requests, public meetings, orally or in writing.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Amy Winters at amy.winters@state.mn.us or 651-201-5617.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us

About Health Department 

Come and work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction.

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 careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.