Deputy Director of Human Rights and Labor Standards

The Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) in the City of Saint Paul is a vital governmental body dedicated to ensuring fair, accessible, and accountable city services for all residents, workers, businesses, and visitors. HREEO administers and enforces city ordinances relating to human rights, labor standards, accessibility, police civilian review, contract compliance, and related regulatory programs. The department is committed to fostering community engagement, enhancing public education, and promoting interdepartmental coordination. HREEO works collaboratively across city departments, community organizations, business sectors, and governmental agencies to uphold and implement city policies and legal requirements consistently. This collaborative approach builds public trust in city processes and services and strengthens the relationship between the city administration and its diverse stakeholders.

The HREEO also provides critical administrative and operational support to the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC), the civilian oversight body responsible for reviewing complaints of misconduct against Saint Paul police officers. This role involves making disciplinary and policy recommendations to the Chief of Police, demonstrating the department's integral role in fostering transparency and accountability within law enforcement.

The position available is the Deputy Director of Human Rights and Labor Standards, a leadership role tasked with steering the development and implementation of citywide policies, compliance programs, and governance strategies that align with the city’s goals and priorities. The Deputy Director works closely with the City Attorney’s Office and advises executive leadership on emerging compliance risks, governance issues, regulatory changes, and operational impacts. This role is central to crafting and maintaining metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms that evaluate compliance, performance, and strategic outcomes, thereby ensuring the city's operations consistently meet evolving legal and regulatory requirements.

The Deputy Director also leads cross-functional initiatives to strengthen operational consistency, accountability, and organizational performance throughout city departments. Maintaining expertise in evolving laws and best practices is instrumental to this position, as is overseeing compliance programs related to federal, state, local, contractual, and city mandates. The role represents HREEO in building and sustaining collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders including the Mayor’s Office, City Council, community organizations, businesses, law enforcement partners, external agencies, and more.

This position not only demands a strong commitment to upholding human rights and labor standards but also requires a strategic mindset to navigate complex regulatory environments and lead multi-departmental efforts. The City of Saint Paul emphasizes an equity, inclusion, and belonging agenda, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder full community participation and fairness in opportunities and outcomes. The workforce reflects the diverse population served, and the leadership in this role embodies this commitment, promoting a city that works for all individuals.

The salary for this role reflects the full classification range with starting salary dependent on experience and qualifications. This is an unclassified position, not governed by City Civil Service Rules, offering an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to human rights and labor standards enforcement in a dynamic municipal environment. The role also comes with a competitive benefits package, including city-paid health and life insurance, vacation and holidays, sick leave, subsidized metro bus pass, deferred compensation, and retirement programs, as well as optional benefits such as dental and disability insurance.

Overall, the Deputy Director of Human Rights and Labor Standards at HREEO represents a pivotal leadership position dedicated to advancing equity, accountability, and human rights within the City of Saint Paul. This role is ideal for an individual with a strong background in human rights enforcement, regulatory compliance, and contract monitoring, who is passionate about making a tangible difference in municipal governance and community well-being.