State Program Administrator, Director/Labor Standards Supervisor

Working Title: Labor Standards Supervisor

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Director

Agency: Labor & Industry Dept

• • Job ID: 93435
  • 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: 04/10/2026
  • Closing Date: 04/23/2026
  • Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Labor & Industry Dept / Labor and Industry-MMA
  • Division/Unit: Dept of Labor & Industry / Wage & Hour Supervisors
  • Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Days of Work: Monday - Friday
  • Travel Required: No
  • Salary Range: $38.16 - $54.97 / hourly; $79,678 - $114,777 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit/Union: 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA
  • FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

Job Summary

This position offers an exciting opportunity to supervise the enforcement activity of the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) unit in the Labor Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to ensure compliance with worker protection laws at Minnesota’s workplaces.

This position will supervise investigations and related work and guide and direct the staff and activities in the unit, in consultation with the Labor Standards Division Assistant Directors and Director. The position will ensure effective enforcement of and overall compliance with the provisions of labor and employment law that fall under Labor Standards’ jurisdiction, including the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act (M.S. Chapter 177), the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act (M.S. §§ 181.01-181.217), the Women's Economic Security Act (M.S. §§ 181.939-181.944), the ESST law (M.S. §§ 181.9445 – 181.9448), employment protections under Minnesota’s Paid Leave law (M.S. §§ 268B.09 and 268B.14), the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act (M.S. Chapter 181A), various laws that impact specific industries or workforces, including agriculture, food processing, and nursing homes, associated retaliation provisions of the aforementioned laws, corresponding Minnesota Rules Chapter 5200, and other labor and employment laws over which the Legislature may provide enforcement authority to Labor Standards.

Responsibilities include:

• • Supervise, direct, and support the investigative work and other activities of Labor Standards staff so that Minnesota worker protection laws are effectively enforced, in particular those related to the ESST law.
  • Provide support and input to the Labor Standards Division Assistant Directors and Director related to internal policies and procedures, legislative matters, outreach and education opportunities, and compliance strategies.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

This position is eligible for hybrid telework. Employees living within 50 miles of the primary work location will be required to work in the office at least 50% of the time each month. Employees may reside outside the state of Minnesota if they live in a state bordering Minnesota and are within 50 miles of the primary work location. For this position, the primary work location is St Paul, MN. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this or if you are not able to comply with this policy.

Minimum Qualifications

• • Three years of professional experience* with employment law, labor law, or other worker protection laws, which could include the ESST law, the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act, or the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act, or any other comparable state or federal laws. Experience should include fact gathering and application of employment law, labor law, or other comparable law.
• Doctorate or juris doctor degree may substitute for two years of experience; Master’s degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; Bachelor’s degree may substitute for one year of experience; Associates degree may substitute for six months of experience.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience* sufficient to effectively supervise and direct the work of assigned staff.

Demonstrated leadership experience may include any of the following:

• • Experience as a supervisor, team lead, lead worker, OR project lead;
  • Completion of a State leadership development program, such as Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) or Senior Leadership Institute (SLI);
  • Completion of a similar or equivalent leadership development program through another organization;
  • A paid or unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee, such as an Employee Resource Group (ERG). This experience must also include:
  • 1+ years of identifying issues, goals, and strategic actions
  • 100+ hours per year time commitment
  • Coaching, mentoring, and/or developing staff while building relationships;
  • Leading teams, projects, or investigations to meet the organization's expectations for productivity, quality, or goal accomplishment; or
  • Managing the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the department.

In addition to the above experience, applicants will be evaluated on and must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

• • Communication skills sufficient to effectively prepare written reports or other written work product and to verbally provide information to staff and stakeholders;
  • Human relation and conflict resolution skills to establish and sustain effective working relationships with colleagues, managers, staff, industry and trade associations, legislators, and others sufficient to ensure that the needs and operations of DLI are understood; and
  • Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share the same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• • Demonstrated expertise in the laws and rules over which Labor Standards has jurisdiction.
  • Language skills other than English (Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Karen or ASL).

Additional Requirements

It is the policy that all final candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Employment Reference Check, Criminal History Check, Driver’s License Check, Social Security and Address Verification, Conflict of Interest Review, Education/License Verification.

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.

Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five Recently Separated Veterans, who apply and meet the qualifications for the vacancy, must be granted an interview. To be considered a Recently Separated Veteran, you must meet all the following criteria:

• • Have separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States;
  • Have served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more or for the full period ordered to active duty OR have separated by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty;
  • Be a United States citizen or resident alien;
  • Have served in active military service at any time on or after September 11, 2001 as shown on your form DD-214.

To be considered under this legislation, you must meet all of the Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting; meet all of the above RSV criteria; and submit a copy of your DD-214 form by the closing date via mail, e-mail or fax to: Jenny Karjala 443 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155, or Jenny.Karjala@state.mn.us.

Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a non-competitive basis if you meet all of the following criteria:

• • Meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%.
  • Provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability.
  • Meet all of the Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.

To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation by the closing date via mail, e-mail or fax to: Jenny Karjala 443 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155, or Jenny.Karjala@state.mn.us, or fax 651-284-5723.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Jenny Karjala at jenny.karjala@state.mn.us or 651-284-5474.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Jenny Karjala at jenny.karjala@state.mn.us.

About Labor & Industry Dept

The Department of Labor and Industry ensures Minnesota’s work and living environments are equitable, healthy and safe. The agency oversees the state's programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, dual-training pipeline, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers' compensation, and youth skills training programs.

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.