DPS Communications Supervisor

Working Title: DPS Communications Supervisor

Job Class: Communications Supervisor

Agency: Public Safety Dept

• Job ID : 98321
• Location : St. Paul
• Telework Eligible : Yes
• Full/Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers and DPS employees eligible to bid. Eligible bidders (permanent, classified employees in the same job classification) should apply through self-service and confirm their bid by emailing Jess Fenlon by 11:59 PM 11/13/2026.
• Date Posted : 11/07/2026
• Closing Date : 11/20/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MMA
• Division/Unit : Public Educ. and Media Rel. / Office of Communication 2
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $41.81 - $60.10 / hourly; $87,299 - $125,488 / 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 (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.

At the Department of Public Safety (DPS) our employees work to improve the lives of Minnesotans by engaging with community and government partners to promote safety, service and justice. Learn more about DPS at https://dps.mn.gov/

In this position, you will supervise and lead a team of DPS Office of Communications (OOC) communications specialists who provide public information, education, media relations, public relations, and marketing support to DPS divisions.

You will provide leadership, direction, and oversight to ensure the team's communications and marketing efforts support DPS's mission, vision, and strategic priorities while protecting and strengthening the agency's reputation. You will help develop and oversee strategic and crisis communications plans, recommend effective communication strategies, and ensure messaging is consistent and effective across the agency.

Through the work of your team, you will help shape how DPS is represented to the public, the media, and other audiences. Your team's communications efforts have the potential to influence the reputation of DPS and the State of Minnesota at the statewide, national, and international levels.

Employees may telework up to 50%, depending on the position and the needs of the division.

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

• Four (4) years of experience in marketing, public relations, or multi-platform communications including contribution to public relations campaigns.
• Supervisory or lead work experience demonstrating the ability to direct work, manage conflict, hold employees accountable, support growth development, and train and motivate staff to perform jobs effectively.

Applicants who meet the above will be further assessed on the following:

• Skill in working with media outlets, drafting press materials and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to guide crisis communications, including high-profile or sensitive public messaging situations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities

A bachelor's degree in journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or other related fields may substitute for one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in government, public safety or law enforcement environments.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, and standards for the development of communications materials.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or another related field.
• Knowledge of AP style writing, ADA/WCAG, and plain language principles
• Teamwork, team building and leadership skills sufficient to build positive, professional working relationships with all levels of an organization and with public- and private- sector partners.

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

It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, which includes successful completion of the following background 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.