Job Information
State of Minnesota Deputy Communications Director / Communications Manager 2 in St. Paul, Minnesota
Working Title: Deputy Communications Director
Job Class: Communications Manager 2
Agency: Public Safety Dept
Job ID : 93057
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 03/26/2026
Closing Date : 04/15/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-Managerial
Division/Unit : Public Educ. and Media Rel. / Office of Comm Supervisor
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 08:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $49.18 - $70.52 / hourly; $102,687 - $147,245 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
**Hybrid Eligible: ** Employees may telework up to 50% or more, depending on the position and the needs of the division.
This person will work with communications supervisors and communications specialists to serve as key communications coordinator between the Office of Communications (OOC) and Department of Public Safety division directors. This person will help identify, prioritize and execute their everyday and crisis communications needs in accordance with the Department of Public Safety's
strategic communications plan and as directed by the Director of Communications and the Office of the Commissioner. The position will be responsible for coordinating the external and internal strategic communications efforts of divisions within the Department of Public Safety. The person may respond to
emergencies at any time of the day or night, on weekends and potentially on holidays. The person is under limited supervision/procedural control.
This position supervises the daily activity of the Office of Communications, including developing and creating solutions for supervisors who manage the daily work of the communications specialists serving multiple, diverse programs and stakeholders. This position keeps the director of communications informed about issues affecting the OOC.
The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify.
Minimum Qualifications
- Five (5) years of supervisory experience providing leadership and direction, coaching, mentoring, developing and performance management.
And
- Three (3) years' experience working with journalists in a major media market.
Additional qualifications and competencies will be evaluated during the probationary period including but not limited to:
Strong writing abilities, both creative and technical, adapted to diverse audiences and objectives. Use independent judgment and creativity to address complex, high-profile issues and develop effective solutions.
Manage and execute strategic communications, including media relations, crisis response, and multi-channel messaging.
Clearly convey complex information to diverse audiences, including media, government officials, and the public.
Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong working relationships across diverse groups and communities.
Demonstrate strong organizational, leadership, and technical skills to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and support communication efforts, including during emergencies or breaking news events.
Use independent judgment and creativity to address complex, high-profile issues and develop effective solutions.
*A bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, Mass Communications, Public Relations, or closely related field may substitute for one year of required experience
Preferred Qualifications
Four 4-year degree in communications, mass communications, public relations or similar.
Experience working in government settings and collaborating with executive-level leadership.
Background in crisis communications, including support during active emergency or first responder situations.
Experience developing and executing creative marketing campaigns, with knowledge of social media, digital communications, and basic graphic design principles.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasionally moving and transporting such articles as file boxes and heavy hand tools or heavier materials with help from others and moving and transporting light objects frequently. Even though the weights being moved and transported may be a negligible amount, a job in this category may require positioning self to move to a significant degree or may involve maintaining a stationary position for extended periods.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, including the following components:
Criminal history
Reference check
SEMA4 records, personnel file and employment records (current and former state employees only).
The Department of Public Safety is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.