Item Description:
title
Establish the unclassified position of Chief Workforce Development Officer and approve the appointment of May Xiong, effective 09/01/2024
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners establishes the unclassified position of Chief Workforce Development Officer, effective September 1, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 383B.102(c)(3), the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approves the appointment of May Xiong as Chief Workforce Development Officer, effective September 1, 2024.
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Background:
Under Minn. Stat. § 383B.102(c)(3) and the County’s policy on Open and Unclassified Service Appointments, the county board approves appointments of personnel in the unclassified service.
Hennepin has achieved nation leading results in career pathways since 2014, with over 400 employees hired and more than 170 of them receiving promotions. Pathways is just one example of our continued commitment to community partnership, employee success, disparity reduction and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The creation of the Chief Workforce Development Officer position will expand the county’s Pathway’s and pilot other programs to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce and train county residents with a goal of providing jobs and opportunities.
I’m requesting the appointment of May Xiong to this role. Since 2021, Ms. Xiong has served as the Assistant County Administrator for the Disparity Reduction line of business. Prior to assuming that role, Ms. Xiong was as Director of Economic Supports and Well¬being here in Hennepin. Before coming to the county, Ms. Xiong was Vice President for the Career Readiness program at Project for Pride in Living. This appointment returns May to her passion, using her extensive experience and expertise in workforce development programs in both government and nonprofit sectors, coordinating and managing racial equity and inclusion strategies in support of reducing disparities to improve the lives of Hennepin residents and employees.
Current Request: The County Administrator requests the board establish the unclassified position of Chief Workforce Development Officer and approve the appointment of May Xiong, effective 09/01/2024.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval