ODEO Deputy Director

Overview

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 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AA/EO), and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements.

Serving as a key advisor and backup to the Director, the Deputy Director represents the office in leadership capacities, manages high-priority projects, and oversees staff responsible for digital and language access services. The position leads 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.

The Deputy Director collaborates closely with DEIA Committees, Employee Resource Groups, and internal partners to develop and execute the agency’s strategic DEIA priorities, which include sustained inclusive workplace practices, and organization-wide compliance and accessibility.

This position requires occasional overnight and out-of-state travel a few times per year.

There is telework eligibility; staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. The telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

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. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

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.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following experience and skills:

• Leadership experience guiding an organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) efforts. This includes setting strategy, supervising or managing staff, advising leaders and employees, and supporting employee groups such as DEIA committees or employee resource groups.
• Experience overseeing compliance processes and influencing decisions related to harassment or discrimination complaints. This includes administering complaint and investigation procedures based on laws or organizational policies.
• 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.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs. Occasional overnight and out-of-state travel a few times per year is required.