Program Operations Manager- Employment & Economic Assistance

Salary $103,284 - $161,381 annually

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Employment & Economic Assistance
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $103,284-129,105 (111 Salary Grade)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $103,284-161,381 year
LOCATION: West St. Paul (NSC)
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: Continuous with first review of applicants on 11/6/2026

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Dakota County is currently hiring a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager within the Employment & Economic Assistance (E&EA) Department. This position in direct partnership with Economic Supports Program Operations Manager and Deputy Director provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for Public Assistance at Dakota County. The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager leads a large and complex section that administers critical public assistance programs, primarily Medical Assistance/Medicaid, with some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, and other economic support services that promote stability, well-being, and opportunity for residents.

What You Will Do

Dakota County is currently hiring a Public Assistance Program Operations Manager within the Employment & Economic Assistance (E&EA) Department. This position in direct partnership with Economic Supports Program Operations Manager and Deputy Director provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for Public Assistance at Dakota County. The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager leads a large and complex section that administers critical public assistance programs, primarily Medical Assistance/Medicaid, with some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, and other economic support services that promote stability, well-being, and opportunity for residents.

The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager ensures the effective delivery of high-quality, equitable, accessible, and compliant services while advancing continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational readiness in an evolving policy and regulatory environment. Central to this role is a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by identifying and addressing barriers to access, promoting equitable outcomes, and ensuring services are responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of the communities served. This role is critical to positioning the County to successfully navigate significant state and federal reforms, systems modernization efforts, and changing legislative requirements affecting public assistance programs.

The Public Assistance Program Operations Manager directly co-leads and develops supervisory and future leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous learning, and belonging. Through strong leadership and deep program expertise, this position builds an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and employees are empowered to contribute fully. In doing so, the Public Assistance Program Operations Managers, along with the Deputy Director and Director of E&EA, ensure the department is well-positioned to meet current needs while preparing for future opportunities and challenges.

• 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 must have been in a supervisory or operations lead capacity

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal 8 years, 2 years' experience must have been in a supervisory or operations lead capacity

AND

• A valid Driver's License

Preferred Experience:

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

Apply through the Dakota County careers site.

How to apply

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/dakota/jobs/5524836/program-operations-manager-employment-economic-assistance

Dakota County website

Posted 2026-11-02, open through 2026-12-02. Posted by the organization on ExecSearches.