Minnesota Department of Public Safety - DPS
Director of Communications and Interoperability
Minnesota Department of Public Safety - DPS, Blaine, Minnesota, United States
Overview
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), is launching a new executive leadership role: Deputy Director of Communications and Interoperability. This position provides strategic direction and expert leadership to ensure effective, integrated emergency communications across Minnesota. The Deputy Director leads statewide interoperable communications efforts, serves as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC), and ensures the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) is implemented and regularly updated with stakeholder input. This role reports to the DPS senior leadership team and collaborates with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including public, private sector, and volunteer entities, to oversee communications across analogue, digital, voice, and data technologies for emergency services, alerts, warnings, and notifications. Note: The Department cannot sponsor work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify. Base pay
$101,163.00/yr - $145,074.00/yr Job ID: 89005 | mn.gov/careers | Application Deadline: 10/13/2025 Responsibilities
Provide executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and program direction for statewide interoperable communications initiatives. Lead the state’s interoperable communications efforts as the SWIC, ensuring SCIP implementation and updates with stakeholder guidance. Coordinate with public, private, and volunteer sectors to direct and manage interoperable communications efforts and related tools for public alerts and data sharing. Oversee program management support including staffing, contracting, budgeting, technical resources, and administrative tasks. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations. Ensure communications technologies and practices align with NIMS, ICS, emergency management principles, and best practices. Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of supervisory or leadership experience in a government entity or private organization, including program and project management, strategic planning, and emergency preparedness planning/response. High-level knowledge of interoperable communications networks and technology. Extensive knowledge and use of NIMS, ICS, and emergency management principles, practices, and methodologies. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate program results and critique analyses from public professionals. Knowledge of governmental budgeting and legislative processes to consolidate program activities and propose legislative initiatives. Experience overseeing program management support (staffing, contracting, budgeting, resources).
Experience developing cooperative working relationships across diverse organizations. Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities. A degree in public safety, public administration, interdisciplinary studies, information systems security, or a related field may substitute for experience. See substitutions: associate degree = 6 months; bachelor’s = 1 year; master’s = 1.5 years; doctorate = 2 years. Application instruction:
If you meet the above requirements, provide a cover letter summarizing your experience. Attach your cover letter and resume to the online application. Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in a related discipline from an accredited college or university (preferred). Experience in policy development, project coordination, and governance structures. Experience in grants coordination, including applications and grant compliance. Additional Information
Job location: Blaine, MN (commentary and job alerts available for related roles in Minneapolis–Saint Paul area). The role is full-time and falls under the Senior Leadership/Director level in the DPS.
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The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), is launching a new executive leadership role: Deputy Director of Communications and Interoperability. This position provides strategic direction and expert leadership to ensure effective, integrated emergency communications across Minnesota. The Deputy Director leads statewide interoperable communications efforts, serves as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC), and ensures the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) is implemented and regularly updated with stakeholder input. This role reports to the DPS senior leadership team and collaborates with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including public, private sector, and volunteer entities, to oversee communications across analogue, digital, voice, and data technologies for emergency services, alerts, warnings, and notifications. Note: The Department cannot sponsor work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DPS does not participate in E-Verify. Base pay
$101,163.00/yr - $145,074.00/yr Job ID: 89005 | mn.gov/careers | Application Deadline: 10/13/2025 Responsibilities
Provide executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and program direction for statewide interoperable communications initiatives. Lead the state’s interoperable communications efforts as the SWIC, ensuring SCIP implementation and updates with stakeholder guidance. Coordinate with public, private, and volunteer sectors to direct and manage interoperable communications efforts and related tools for public alerts and data sharing. Oversee program management support including staffing, contracting, budgeting, technical resources, and administrative tasks. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with local, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations. Ensure communications technologies and practices align with NIMS, ICS, emergency management principles, and best practices. Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of supervisory or leadership experience in a government entity or private organization, including program and project management, strategic planning, and emergency preparedness planning/response. High-level knowledge of interoperable communications networks and technology. Extensive knowledge and use of NIMS, ICS, and emergency management principles, practices, and methodologies. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate program results and critique analyses from public professionals. Knowledge of governmental budgeting and legislative processes to consolidate program activities and propose legislative initiatives. Experience overseeing program management support (staffing, contracting, budgeting, resources).
Experience developing cooperative working relationships across diverse organizations. Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities. A degree in public safety, public administration, interdisciplinary studies, information systems security, or a related field may substitute for experience. See substitutions: associate degree = 6 months; bachelor’s = 1 year; master’s = 1.5 years; doctorate = 2 years. Application instruction:
If you meet the above requirements, provide a cover letter summarizing your experience. Attach your cover letter and resume to the online application. Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in a related discipline from an accredited college or university (preferred). Experience in policy development, project coordination, and governance structures. Experience in grants coordination, including applications and grant compliance. Additional Information
Job location: Blaine, MN (commentary and job alerts available for related roles in Minneapolis–Saint Paul area). The role is full-time and falls under the Senior Leadership/Director level in the DPS.
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