Basic Function

The current vacancy is in the County Manager's Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
Ramsey County is seeking a dynamic and innovative strategic leader to oversee the Policy and Planning Division of the County Manager's Office. This unique leadership position drives the planning, policy, data analysis, research and evaluation work that informs the county’s goals and strategic priorities. It also leads countywide strategic initiatives, and development of policies and practices that advance racial and health equity and community engagement. Strong candidates bring a collaborative, inclusive, and solution-oriented approach with a racial equity and community-centered lens to the work.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

Examples of Work Performed

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Coordinate and facilitate County Board deliberation and adoption of the County vision, mission, goals, and organizational values.
• Lead in the development, implementation and measurement of countywide strategic plan, including strategic priorities and community indicators.
• Lead, develop and maintain the county-wide results-based accountability performance measurement process in collaboration with Finance to integrate financial management, strategic planning, and align budget decisions with the countywide strategic plan.
• Conduct or direct research and policy analysis studies including issue identification and clarification, literature review, assessment of best practices, environmental scanning, economic and business analysis of external trends, program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, survey development , census data analysis and policy development options and recommendation to support the decision making process of the County Board, County Manager, and executive and senior leadership teams.
• Serve as a resource to senior County leaders and the County Board, providing racial equity guidance and technical assistance, policy and planning expertise. Attend meetings and workshops of the County Board to present policy alternatives and recommendations and answer questions.
• Procure professional services for advancing racial equity, engaging with community, policy analysis, research and/or evaluation in accordance with County policies and procedures and manage professional services contracts.
• Lead in development and implementation of new strategic countywide policies, emerging initiatives, and special projects.
• Convene, facilitate and participate in inter-service team, inter-departmental, inter-agency and community work teams dealing with county-wide strategic issues and initiatives. Represent the County on special committees and before government bodies including state, regional and local governments.
• Support the Government Relations team with policy research and countywide legislative platform development process.

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.
Substitutions: A Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field and six years of progressively responsible management or administrative experience, including at least two years of work experience in a public or non-profit setting working with management and/or elected officials. A Master’s degree may substitute for two years of the required education and experience.

Exam/Screening Process Information

This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Please read below for further instructions.
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."
Interested candidates should apply online by completing the online application prior to the close date listed and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
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.
. You will need to print this posting and submit it with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Megan.Simmons@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-2024-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 one floating holiday
  • Up to three 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 five 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