Outreach and Engagement Specialist (EO Consultant II)

The Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity in the Metropolitan Council's Regional Administration Division has two vacancies for an Outreach and Engagement Specialist (EO Consultant II). One position will be located in St. Paul and the second position will be located in Minneapolis.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity supports the role of the Metropolitan Council as an Equal Opportunity Employer, its employment practices, and business operations, to reflect a sense of value and respect for equity and inclusion among its employees, customers, and the residents of the seven-county metropolitan area.

• Coordinate the development and design of the Engagement and Development Unit's (EDU) promotional materials, intending to spread support services awareness and assist the marketing and public relations team.
• Create key messaging strategies and marketing campaigns to teach stakeholders more about the Councils' services, contracts, programs, etc.
• Collect, analyze, and present data related to the success of marketing campaigns and public relations content.
• Participate in outreach efforts and work with external agencies to assist in the development and compliance of equity, diversity, and equal opportunity programs; respond to inquiries and requests for access and information from community organizations and individuals; take appropriate action for each request.
• Support the research on supportive services programs, activities, and initiatives that boost capacity building, development of technical skills, and increase knowledge and experience for certified small businesses in Council programs, activities, and services.
• Support and maintain effective communication with OEEO small businesses and stakeholders to identify potential issues and barriers to successfully administer their business.
• Plan, organize, and administer the Council's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and Metropolitan Council Under-Utilized Business (MCUB) Program.
• Administer and implement Diversity and Equal Opportunity programs - Minority/Women Business Enterprise program, Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action program and Diversity programs.
• Serve as the project/program manager for programs and initiatives that promote the advancement of the Council's external contracting opportunities and equity goals.
• Advise employees and management on policies, plans, and procedures in equity and inclusion programs.
• Performs other related duties.

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in business administration, public administration, public policy, marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field) and experience (in small business inclusion programs, equity, diversity, affirmative action, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, or contract administration):

• High school diploma/GED with seven years of experience.
• Associate degree with five years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree with three years of experience.
• Master's degree with one year of experience.

• Experience collaborating and performing outreach in Small Business programs.
• Current or recent public-sector experience.
• Three or more years of experience working in a marketing and/or communication setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with marketing/survey tools/software (e.g., Survey Monkey, Mail Chimp, Publisher).
• Experience gathering information to write unbiased narratives with findings and recommendations.
• Experience creating and implementing engagement initiatives.
• Experience working with a diverse workforce and diverse communities.
• Speak a second language.
• Demonstrable experience in presenting and writing reports to a variety of staff from all levels.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of equity, equal employment, and affirmative action.
• Knowledge of state laws, federal regulations, and court rulings related to small business contracting programs.
• Skill in the use of personal computers utilizing word processing to generate summary reports, creation and development of spreadsheets to analyze data, and skill in using databases.
• Ability to read, analyze, and government regulations. Ability to write reports and related business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of customers or clients.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Requires skill and persuasion in dealings with others both inside and outside of the department. Interactions with others generally require influencing and educating individuals to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action. Interactions may involve efforts to persuade other representatives or officials outside of the organization but do not involve acting on behalf of the organization in matters where there are legitimate differences of opinion. Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

Union: AFSCME Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment: Work is generally performed in a standard office setting. Some audits/investigations may require exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Some positions may require travel between primary work sites to other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.