ODEO Deputy Director

About the role

The Deputy Director provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the agency’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts and ensure comprehensive Equal Opportunity (EO) compliance across all program areas and Minnesota’s workforce system. This role guides senior leaders and employees at all levels in implementing sustainable DEIA initiatives, maintaining adherence to state and federal laws, and strengthening practices related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AA/EO), and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements.

Responsibilities

• Guides senior leaders and employees in implementing sustainable DEIA initiatives
• Maintains adherence to state and federal laws related to DEIA and EO
• Strengthens practices related to ADA, AA/EO, and WIOA requirements
• Serves as a key advisor and backup to the Director, representing the office in leadership capacities
• Manages high-priority projects and oversees staff responsible for digital and language access services
• Led the agency’s internal complaint process, supports the development of responses to external EO-related charges, and ensures effective monitoring, auditing, policy maintenance, and training delivery
• Collaborates closely with DEIA Committees, Employee Resource Groups, and internal partners to develop and execute the agency’s strategic DEIA priorities

Requirements

Four (4) years* of experience working in employment law or equal opportunity compliance related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Rehabilitation Act, or Section 188- Nondiscrimination of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school with a concentration in employment law, civil rights or human rights law, or administrative or public law, or other closely related focus areas as determined by the agency may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience guiding an organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) efforts
• Experience overseeing compliance processes and influencing decisions related to harassment or discrimination complaints
• Experience mediating, negotiating, and resolving complaints or requests for accommodations
• Experience writing and analyzing information in a legal or policy context, and organizing work across multiple priorities
• Experience coordinating and managing compliance activities, meeting competing deadlines, and carrying out program objectives or project plans
• Experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and adapting communication for different audiences

Skills

• Writing and analyzing information in a legal or policy context
• Organizing work across multiple priorities
• Coordinating and managing compliance activities
• Mediating, negotiating, and resolving complaints or requests for accommodations
• Working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Benefits

• One of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• 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
• Training, classes, and professional development
• 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
• 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.