ODOL Administration
Supporting Excellence and Efficiency
The Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODOL) Administration is responsible for managing key business functions, including communications, finance and accounting, human resources, purchasing, agency legal services, legislative affairs and constituent services, information technology and data processing, and mail and reception. The administration team is committed to operational excellence, ensuring that all support services are delivered efficiently and effectively to advance ODOL’s mission of fostering a safe, healthy, fair, and productive Oklahoma.
Click each division name below to learn more about their specific roles and responsibilities.
- Commissioner
- Communications
- Finance
- Governmental Affairs
- Human Resources
- Legal
Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn
Leading Oklahoma with Vision and Dedication
Leslie Osborn was elected as Oklahoma's twentieth Labor Commissioner in 2018 and is currently serving a four-year term. As stipulated by the Constitution of Oklahoma, the Labor Commissioner is elected every four years and serves as the head of the Department of Labor. Oklahoma law grants the commissioner broad regulatory authority and enforcement powers to fulfill the department's duties for the citizens of Oklahoma.
Before her election as Labor Commissioner, Leslie served ten years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, representing District 47, which includes parts of Canadian and Grady counties. In 2013, she made history by being appointed by Speaker Shannon as the first female chair of the Judiciary Committee. That same year, she authored the landmark workers’ compensation reform bill, transforming the judicial system into an updated administrative system. In 2017, Leslie played a crucial role in passing Oklahoma's first "pay for success" contract—a public-private partnership with the Department of Corrections and the Kaiser Foundation to transition women from incarceration to the Women in Recovery Program. From 2014 to 2015, she chaired the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services. In 2016, she was appointed by Speaker McCall to chair the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, once again breaking barriers as the first Republican female to hold this position.
Leslie Osborn also serves as the chair of the Oklahoma Occupational Licensing Advisory Commission and the Department of Commerce’s Automotive Steering Committee, which actively recruits diversified manufacturing businesses to Oklahoma. Additionally, she serves on the advisory board of Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers and the Oklahoma Academy, and is on the foundation board for the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Leslie is a member of Oklahoma First Ladies and a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association. She graduated from Leadership Oklahoma Class 27 and served as the state director of the national group Women in Government.
Born in Salina, Kansas, Leslie Osborn graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She successfully owned and operated her business, Osborn Pick-Up Accessories, selling heavy-duty truck parts for 22 years. Leslie is a proud mother of two children and continues to dedicate her life to serving the people of Oklahoma with integrity and commitment.
Communications
Bridging the Gap Between ODOL and the Public
The Communications Division plays a pivotal role in managing the department's interactions with the public and media. The division is responsible for responding to and coordinating media inquiries and public records requests from media outlets statewide. Additionally, the Communications Division oversees the agency's social media platforms, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all channels. This includes creating and curating content, monitoring engagement, and managing online interactions to enhance the department's visibility and public engagement. The division also develops and disseminates press releases, manages internal communications, and organizes public information campaigns to keep Oklahomans informed about labor-related issues and department initiatives.
Financial Management
Ensuring Fiscal Integrity and Transparency
The Financial Management Division is the backbone of ODOL, handling all fiscal-related responsibilities to ensure the agency operates smoothly and efficiently. The dedicated Financial Management team oversees accounting, inventory, payroll, purchasing, and budget preparations, ensuring every dollar is accounted for and wisely spent.
Disclosure of Federal Funds
In the spirit of transparency, the Oklahoma Department of Labor annually discloses all federal funds under its control and details the programs these funds support. This information will be available here after the end of each calendar year, beginning with 2019, in accordance with 62 O.S. § 34.42.1.
For further details on our financial transparency and performance, visit Transparent Oklahoma Performance.
Governmental Affairs
Bridging the Gap Between ODOL and Lawmakers
The Governmental Affairs Division serves as the essential liaison between ODOL and various governmental entities at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as business and labor groups. This division plays a crucial role in tracking legislation during the legislative session, representing ODOL, and responding to inquiries from fiscal analysts, research staff, and legislators on matters concerning the department.
ODOL works closely with the Oklahoma Legislature to pass legislation that benefits the department and the people of Oklahoma. The Governmental Affairs Division also provides valuable resources to legislative and governmental staff to address constituent inquiries related to ODOL oversight. This division is dedicated to helping policymakers connect with ODOL divisions and staff to resolve constituent issues efficiently.
Human Resources
Empowering Our Workforce
The Human Resources Division supports ODOL through the administration and management of workplace services and personnel policies and procedures. Human Resources is responsible for processing new hires, separations from service, promotions, job postings, applications, and all other personnel actions.
Who We Are: The ODOL offers more than competitive pay, vast career opportunities, and professional development. We are proud to invest in an innovative, empowering work environment and have been recognized with the Family Positive Workplace award. Our Mission, Vision, and Values are the core of who we are, and we consider each employee a valued member of the ODOL family.
Why Work for ODOL? Whether your experience is technical, professional, or as an intern, ODOL wants you to join our team! We offer a wide variety of work that can fit many different backgrounds, all supporting Oklahoma’s safety and health industry. With opportunities for growth and development, we hope ODOL will be your lifetime career choice.
ODOL Job Openings
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General Counsel
Guiding and Protecting ODOL
The Office of General Counsel, also known as the Legal Services Division, assists and advises the Labor Commissioner, executive staff, and all agency division directors and their staff. The division drafts statutory and regulatory changes and ensures the proper interpretation and implementation of federal and state laws. The office also supports Human Resources with personnel rights and obligations, potential workplace grievances, disciplinary actions, and evolving workplace protections and compensation concerns.
Legal Services staff ensure compliance with Oklahoma’s Open Meetings and Open Records Act for the agency’s two committees (Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Advisory Committee and Alternative Fuels Committee) and the Occupational Licensing Advisory Commission, chaired by the Labor Commissioner. The Legal Services Division defends agency orders, committee actions, and enforcement efforts at administrative hearings and subsequent appeals, while providing general guidance to the public on matters within the agency’s purview.
Please be advised that the Legal Division is prohibited from providing legal advice to members of the public.
