Department Director, Job Training Center

Job Posting End Date: January 11, 2026 at 11:59pm CST

Hiring range: $128,128 to $155,480 ($61.60 to $74.75 per hour). Starting rate will depend on experience, education, and qualifications. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County.

Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance! This includes 24 days paid of flexible time off and up to 12.5 holidays your first year.

In order to be considered for this position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application. Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59pm on 01/11/2026 in order to be considered.

Position Description

The Anoka County Job Training Center is seeking a Department Director to lead and shape the future of workforce development in our community. This position oversees all operations, budgets, and activities of the Job Training Center, providing strategic vision, policy development, and program oversight. The Director builds and maintains strong partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, ensures compliance with Workforce Development Board requirements, and drives initiatives that support job seekers and employers. This is a key leadership role for an innovative, collaborative professional committed to making a meaningful impact.

This position is appointed by and serves at the will of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and is subject to an employment agreement.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will begin the week of January 12, 2026, for those selected to move forward in the hiring process. 

Pay & Benefits

• Salary: $128,128 to $156,480 ($61.60 to $74.75 per hour).
• 2025 Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 41: $128,128 to $182,811 ($61.60 to $87.89 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 at  https://www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits.
• 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.

Work Location

• This position will work at the Blaine Human Services Center, located at 1201 89th Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
• This position 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. Occasional morning, evening, and weekend hours may be required for community events and/or emergencies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Department Director.

• Direct daily operations and supervision for the Job Training Center ensuring proper planning, monitoring and evaluation of all programs.
• Responsible for oversight of the short and long-term workforce and economic development vision, strategies, policies and practices within local, state, federal mandates and funding.
• Manage operations to respond to continually changing local, state and federal programs while also staying focused on the overall customer experience.
• Develop and administer innovative program approaches that are responsive to community employment and workforce training needs.
• Oversee the department budget and maintain accounting and data reporting systems to prepare timely and comprehensive grant and budget applications and reports.
• Oversee the analysis of data and direct program planning to ensure effective, efficient and equitable use of public funds.
• Establish, manage and leverage partnerships between businesses, education, government and community organizations that enhance the workforce development system for Anoka County and the metro region.
• Communicate programs and budget recommendations to committees and/or funders of jurisdiction.
• Represent Anoka County in various committees, special assignments, task forces, community advisory boards and state level committees.
• Lead, coach and mentor a team of managers and oversee the Job Training Center staff to meet and/or exceed program performance outcomes.
• Director for the Anoka County Workforce Development Board.

Qualifications and Requirements:
 

Minimum Knowledge Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of leadership or project‑management experience in public sector or non-profit economic support, workforce development, or related program operations.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Master’s degree in Business, Human Services, Public Administration or related field.
• Experience with and knowledge of WIOA, and other employment and training programs and grants.
• Experience leading teams and creating positive and productive work environments.
• Experience in a government or non-profit setting with a focus on employment and training programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Previous leadership and supervision experience.
• Previous experience overseeing budgets, fund or grant management or accounting.
• Ability to analyze, develop and interpret rules, regulations, policies and practices.
• Leadership experience overseeing workforce development programs, familiarity with WIOA and other federal employment related funding streams, and/or programs administered by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Department of Children, Family and Youth (DCYF), etc., or other similar programs in a different state.
• Administrative experience with managing and responding to advisory board protocol and governance procedures.
• Experience developing and maintaining strong and diverse partnerships with organizations and businesses focused on economic and workforce development.
• Experience creating a positive and cohesive customer experience, in an environment of constantly changing funding and program requirements.
• Ability to analyze labor market trends and translate into actionable strategies.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• 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.

Selection Process

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.

Pre-employment Requirements

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.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO