ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a slow-paced, high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendly ASL version instead.

English version

Hello community members. First, the Executive Director Search Committee wants to thank everyone who participated in the online survey about what qualities are important for the new executive director to have. We received roughly 90 responses before the survey closed on May 31, 2019.

Many of you agreed with the list that was created by MNCDHH’s board and staff. Here is the list again:

• Appreciates diversity and is culturally sensitive
• Transparent
• Thick skin
• Familiar with Minnesota D/DB/HH community and partners
• Relationship builder
• Willing to listen and learn
• Good manager
• Passionate advocate
• Innovative
• Skilled in advancing legislative proposals
• Member of the D/DB/HH community
• Fluent in English and ASL
• Comfortable with range of communication modes used by D/DB/HH community

Your feedback

Many of you shared your thoughts in addition to the list. Here are a few examples:

Several felt that familiarity with Minnesota’s DDBHH community and partners is too limiting.

Our response: The search committee plans to do a national search.

Many want someone who is familiar with legislative processes, a community builder, a servant leader, an influencer, a communicator, proactive, and culturally sensitive.

Our response: We hear you and agree.

Many want a leader who is representative of the community, i.e. someone who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.

Our response: That is what we are looking for as well.

Our work so far

So far, the Search Committees has:

• Created the job description, and drafted a job posting, including minimum and preferred qualifications.
• Began to design the interview and selection process.

What is coming next

We anticipate posting the job announcement by mid-June, and encourage anyone who qualifies to help share the word and/or apply! Follow MNCDHH’s website, newsletter, and social media for updates on when and where to find the posting.

By early July, the Search Committee expects to be able to identify a pool of candidates from the list that the Minnesota Department of Human Services Human Resources Department sends to us.

July will be busy with the interview selection process and possibly a forum to meet the candidates.

We hope to make a final recommendation for a candidate in August 2019 and hope to have the new Executive Director start in September 2019.

Stay up to date

To reach the Search Committee with any questions, please email mncdhh.info@state.mn.us. 

To stay up to date on what is happening, please continue to visit our web page.

Additional information

The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thanks: The Executive Director Search Committee for their work. Barb Deming and Erica Klein from Management Analysis and Development for their group facilitation. James Paul Beldon for ASL talent. Mark Zangara for voiceover. Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production.