DHS Direct Care Executive Director

Lead staff and operations — set priorities, allocate resources, and oversee program delivery.

4 employees hold this title in Direct Care and Treatment Department. Median total compensation for the role is $195,536, above the department median of $71,008.

Employees: 4
Total payroll: $642.8K
Role median: $195,536
Agency median: $71,008
Comparison: Above

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This role across Minnesota

DHS Direct Care Executive Director is held in 2 Minnesota departments. In Direct Care and Treatment Department, the median of $195,536 ranks #1 of 2.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Human Services Department

$184,163 · 6

Median total compensation for the DHS Direct Care Executive Director role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Direct Care and Treatment Department

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Melissa Ells

DHS Direct Care Executive Director/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$226,494

Sub-department: DCT Health System Exec Ldrs1
Base pay: $190,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $35,554
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $226,494
Hire date: 2007-05-09
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 28
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Carlton

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Melissa Ells holds the role of DHS Direct Care Executive Director at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Dct Health System Executive Ldrs1. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $226,494. They are represented by Manager.

Wade Brost

DHS Direct Care Executive Director/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$195,536

Sub-department: DCT Health System Exec Ldrs1
Base pay: $190,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,596
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,536
Hire date: 2013-05-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 28
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Wade Brost is a DHS Direct Care Executive Director at Direct Care and Treatment Department within Dct Health System Executive Ldrs1. Their tenure dates to 2013, about 12 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $195,536. Their bargaining unit is Manager.

Donovan Chandler

DHS Direct Care Executive Director/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$195,536

Sub-department: DCT Health System Exec Ldrs1
Base pay: $190,940
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,596
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,536
Hire date: 2001-02-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 28
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Direct Care and Treatment Department, Donovan Chandler serves as a DHS Direct Care Executive Director within Dct Health System Executive Ldrs1. Their tenure dates to 2001, about 24 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $195,536. Union affiliation: Manager.

Charles Johnson

DHS Direct Care Executive Director/Direct Care and Treatment Department

2025 total comp

$25,198

Sub-department: DCT Health System Exec Ldrs1
Base pay: $25,198
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $25,198
Hire date: 1984-09-17
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 28
Union / bargaining unit: Manager
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: H51
Bargaining Unit Number: 220
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Charles Johnson works as a DHS Direct Care Executive Director for Direct Care and Treatment Department within Dct Health System Executive Ldrs1. They have served since 1984 (about 41 years) as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Charles earned $25,198 in 2025. They are represented by Manager.