Ramsey County, MN

Basic Function

Provide the overall vision, long-range strategic planning, leadership and direction for the Division of Policy and Administrative Strategy within the County Manager’s Office, delivering policy research, equity evaluation and analysis to the organization with a racial and health equity lens. Lead county-wide strategic planning, policy, and administrative data analysis, as well as implementation of strategic priorities and goals of the County in collaboration with community; guide development and execution of key countywide strategic initiatives, policies and practices; serve as a strategic leader identifying and implementing innovative solutions to complex internal and external issues that improve the County’s operational effectiveness; lead in development and implementation of new and emerging county initiatives in partnership or collaboration with community; serve as a member of the County Manager’s Leadership Cabinet; direct and manage Policy and Administrative Strategy Division of the County Manager’s Office; fulfill role as key member of the County senior leadership team; and perform other duties as assigned.

Examples of Work Performed

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
2. Administer and direct delivery of division services in alignment with the County vision, mission and goals, while ensuring high quality, culturally diverse and respectful services that provide equitable outcomes and meet the needs of the county’s residents and internal customers.
3. Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of countywide policies, emerging initiatives, and special projects aligned with strategic priorities and community indicators.
4. Coordinate and facilitate County Board deliberation and adoption of the County vision, mission, goals, and organizational values.
5. Lead, develop and maintain county-wide, results-based accountability performance measurement process in collaboration with County Operations Team integrating financial managements, strategic planning and budget-aligned decisions with the countywide strategic plan.
6. Lead or direct research and policy analysis, including issue identification, literature reviews, best practice assessments, trend analysis, program evaluation, data collection and analysis, and development of policy options and recommendations to inform decisions by the County Board, County Manager, and senior leadership.
7. Provide or direct evaluation of county programs, initiatives, partnerships and collaborations.
8. Direct selection and manage the work of professional consultants and contractors, negotiate and execute contracts and agreements with vendors, and monitor contracted services performance to ensure delivery of effective services in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field.

Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible management or administrative experience including two years of work in a public or non-profit setting working with upper management and/or elected officials.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

This is an unclassified, at-will position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Please read below for further instructions.

Resume and cover letter or biographical statement are required for your application to be considered.

Applications will be reviewed starting the week of July 14th.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Criminal Background Checks:

All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:

Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

It is preferred that you apply online. If you are unable to apply online, you can print a paper application for this posting by clicking Paper Application (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader). To apply with a paper application, you will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact: Crystal.Diaz@co.ramsey.mn.us

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits