Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III)

• Provide support to the Light Rail Transit Unit Manager.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for the Council's small business programs and provide guidance to other members of the team as well as across the Council
• Perform and oversee investigations in accordance with federal regulations, monitor progress and conduct complex customer and external compliance investigations, determine validity of and recommend resolution to complaints' allegations, and prepare written narrative of findings.
• Plan, organize and administer one or more of the Council's small business programs.
• Organize and participate in outreach efforts and work with internal and external partners to increase the pool of DBEs/MCUBs, connect DBEs/MCUBs to contracting opportunities, ensure compliance, increase DBE/MCUB capacities, develop and advance the DBE/MCUB programs, and develop and deliver training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the review and evaluation process for Requests for Proposals and Invitations for Bids regarding Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Public Facility Authority (PFA) projects to ensure adequate goals and/or good faith efforts have been taken by the primary contractor.
• Conduct on-site compliance reviews for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Task may require the EO Consultant III to be onsite at construction sites and places of business.
• Develop and calculate contract DBE/MCUB goals and provide guidance on goal setting process and procedures to other LRTU staff.
• Monitor, collect and analyze data for contract compliance and attend compliance meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including the FTA, as needed. The EO Consultant III will proactively address small business inclusion compliance issues.
• Participate in the DBE certification process including reviewing applications, perform on-site visits, present recommendations, and review annual certification review.
• EO Consultant III is expected to be a member of the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) and the Certification Application Committee (CAC). May also be tasked with serving as the Chair for the CAC when hosted by the Council.
• Advise employees and management on policies, plans and procedures in diversity and equal opportunity programs.
• Develop and deliver training as it relates to the Council's small business programs.
• Provide work direction and guidance to LRTU staff and interns as it relates to daily assignments and administration of programs and compliance.
• Take a lead role in overseeing and executing tasks related to stakeholder engagement for DBE and workforce related LRT project activities, including LRT project committees.
• Perform other related duties.

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field) and experience (in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities):

• Master's degree with two years of experience
• Bachelor's degree with four years of experience
• Associate degree with six years of experience
• High school diploma/GED with eight years of experience

• Experience providing team lead level support to colleagues and management.
• Deep experience with equity, diversity, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation.
• Obtained Certified Compliance Administrator (CCA) or Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) status with the American Contract Compliance Association.
• Three or more years of experience with small business inclusion programs.
• Two or more years of experience conducting internal or external compliance investigations determining the validity of and recommending a resolution to complaints allegations and preparing an unbiased written narrative of findings.
• Experience reading and interpreting federal regulations and state statutes.
• Experience communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders in plain language.
• Experience with construction project management and compliance.
• Experience with construction workforce development and workforce goals compliance.

• Excellent communication skills: interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.
• Ability to build trust and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish themselves across the Council as a subject matter expert for the Council's small business program and contract compliance.
• Effectively provide assistance, guidance and mentorship to other LRTU, SBU, OCRSB, and Council staff.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural 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.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $100,526 - $120,000
Full Salary Range: $88,566 - $143,707

What your work environment would be:
Work is generally performed in a hybrid format: remotely at a home office and/or at the Metropolitan Council offices. Some audits/investigations may require exposure to the outdoor weather conditions. Some positions may require travel between primary work site 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.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.