Executive Director

Working Title: Executive Director - Minnesota Sex Offender Program
Job Class:  Direct Care Executive Director
Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

• Job ID: 96767
• Location: Statewide
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/02/2026
• Closing Date: 09/22/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Direct Care and Treatment / DCT Manager
• Division/Unit: DCT Support Services / DCT Health System Exec Ldrs1
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes
• Salary Range:  $66.33 - $94.93 / hourly; $138,497 - $198,213 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.

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.

Job Summary

The Executive Director serves as the executive leader of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) and is responsible for ensuring the program fulfills its statutory mission to provide constitutionally sound, evidence-based treatment to individuals civilly committed as sexually dangerous persons or persons with a sexual psychopathic personality while protecting public safety. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for all clinical, operational, fiscal, legal, and administrative functions of MSOP; ensures compliance with state and federal law, court orders, accreditation standards, and professional best practices; advances treatment effectiveness and successful community reintegration where appropriate; and serves as the principal advisor and representative of MSOP to Direct Care and Treatment (DCT), the Governor's Office, Legislature, judiciary, local governments, regulatory bodies, and the public.

The clients we serve are civilly committed to Direct Care and Treatment, including an estimated 760 clients in facilities and 75 provisionally discharged clients in the community in 2026, as well as clients in contracted correctional facilities. Other clientele include internal MSOP management and DCT agency-wide staff; Federal, County, and State legislative, judicial, and governmental agencies (State and County), professional/technical services vendors and consultants, victims' advocates, and community advocates and providers; Office of the Ombudsman for Mental health and Developmental Disabilities, media and community-at-large, and the public.

Responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the on-going implementation of client deinstitutionalization and reintegration services to promote successful community transition while maintaining public safety.
• Oversee the purpose and vision of MSOP to provide direction for organizational structure, policy development and maintenance, and service delivery within established budgets.
• Direct the development of MSOP’s biennial operational budget, post-allocation spending plan, and monitoring of actual expenditures to ensure cost-effective use of resources within the limits of legislative appropriations.
• Oversee development and delivery of clinical programming to ensure the provision of appropriate research-based treatment, rehabilitation opportunities, and medical services.
• Oversee the operational activities of MSOP’s secured facilities to ensure the provision of a safe and therapeutic environment for staff and clients.
• Provide on-going thought leadership in the oversight of MSOP operations and clinical services to maximize program effectiveness and client outcomes.
• Provide consultation, education, and serve as primary MSOP liaison with DCT staff, other state agencies, the legislature, the legal community, and the public to promote an understanding of MSOP services and purpose.
• Direct and lead the human resources activities of MSOP through a subordinate management team.
• Influence and shape the strategic and tactical direction of MSOP to support to overall ability to achieve short and long-term objectives.
• To be deliberate in fostering positive interpersonal relationships with coworkers, managers, and customers, so all are treated in a respectful, professional, and humane manner.

All DCT leaders are expected to demonstrate and develop the competencies from the enterprise-wide leader competency model, which includes:

• Leading Self
• Leading Others
• Leading the Organization
• Leading Outside the Organization
• Getting Work Done

Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

**To be qualified for and considered for this position, applicants must meet all of the minimum qualifications listed below. Ensure that your resume contains descriptions of your work experiences sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held**

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health/science, psychology, social work, public administration, public health, criminal justice, business or health care administration, or a closely related field.
• 5 years executive leadership experience leading an organization that supports complex behavioral health, forensic services, secure treatment, or corrections.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Managing multidisciplinary teams by communicating with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives
  • Experience in managing team members and engaging in performance management-based conversations 
  • Organizational strategy and the ability to influence others and/or compel changes throughout an organization. 
  • Experience operating within a highly regulated or legal environment
  • Experience with budgeting and financial management, exceeding 50 million dollars
  • Experience working with internal and external stakeholders to identify areas that impact or may impact the organization and finding ways to navigate such areas

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in behavioral health/science, psychology, social work, public administration, public health, criminal justice, business or health care administration, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the civil commitment process and/or Minnesota’s Commitment Act, specifically Chapters 253B and 253D
• Experience with a unionized workforce 
• Working directly with courts or the judicial system
• Experience with accreditation, licensing, and corrective action
• Experience leading a 24-hour, secure facility 

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, 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.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact April Blakesley at april.blakesley@state.mn.us or 507-985-2218.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact Direct Care & Treatment’s Office of Equal Opportunity at Accommodations.DCT@state.mn.us or call 651-539-7243.

CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if they: 1) meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%; 2) provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability; and 3) meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting. To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation before the closing date to: April Blakesley at april.blakesley@state.mn.us

About Direct Care and Treatment

DCT operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:  

• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.

Salary/Compensation: $138,497 - $198,213 per year

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