Chief Officer, Human Services

Anoka County Chief Human Services Officer

Anoka County is seeking a strategic and visionary leader to serve as its Chief Human Services Officer. This executive-level role provides leadership and direction for the county's Human Services division, including Community Corrections, Public Health and Environmental Services, Social Services and Behavioral Health, Economic Assistance, and the Job Training Center. The Chief Human Services Officer is responsible for setting strategic priorities, guiding operational policy, overseeing resource allocation, and driving continuous improvement to ensure effective service delivery across all program areas.

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting into the County Administrator. This position is subject to an employment agreement and is appointed by and serves at the will of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.

Salary: $173,118.40 to $212,076.80 ($83.23 to $101.96 per hour).

2025 Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 44: $173,118.40 to $251,035.20 ($83.23 to $120.69 per hour).

24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.

Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.

Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.

Pension plan and other retirement investment options.

Advancement/professional development opportunities.

This position will work at the Anoka County Government Center, located at 2100 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303 and may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Exercises overall administrative responsibilities for the Human Services division including researching, planning, implementing and coordinating changes necessary to facilitate the enhancement of services to the public and increase operational efficiency.

Prepare and recommend the annual budget for the division; develop and maintain adequate budget to accomplish the department’s mission and vision.

Direct the overall planning, monitoring and evaluation of the department to ensure compliance with Board policies, legislative mandates and statutory requirements affecting the operations of the department.

Ensure maximum quality and productivity of employees, equipment and technology to maximize department efficiency.

Provide informational communications and recommendations to the County Administrator and County Board regarding the division.

Prepare and recommend departmental legislative initiatives to be forwarded to the Intergovernmental Committee of the County Board and testify before Legislative Committees when appropriate.

Direct and supervise the operations and activities of multiple departments through a team of managers and/or directors, prepare strategic plans and develop policies and procedures to accomplish the department’s mission.

Serve as a strategic thought partner to and collaborate with division and department leaders and County and other elected officials to align the human services programs with Anoka County’s overall strategic objectives.

Leverage participatory leadership skills to guide and mentor direct reports and provide direction to individual contributors through a team of managers and/or directors.

Represent Anoka County’s human services division at public-facing events.

Approve and control budgets for human services projects, programs, and initiatives.

Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of job-related experience. In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Degree in Business, Human Services, Public Administration or related field.

Experience leading teams and creating positive and productive work environments.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Standard office environment.

Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness.

Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.

Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.

Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.

Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.

Occasional travel to other county work sites as needed. Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.