WHO WE ARE 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. Apply here.

Office of Equal Opportunity (EO) supports the role of the Metropolitan Council as an Equal Opportunity Employer and its employment practices and business operations, to reflect a sense of value and respect for diversity among its employees, customers and the citizens of the seven-county metropolitan area. The EO office acts to ensure equal opportunity and promote a value for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access throughout all functions of the Metropolitan Council. The EO director reports to the Regional Administrator with responsibility of providing compliance, oversight, education and support enterprise-wide for the overarching areas of small business compliance and inclusion, civil rights investigation and resolution, equity implementation, ADA transition planning, Title VI planning, and Affirmative Action planning and implementation.

This position will be posted “continuously until filled” Application Selection will begin on November 1, 2019. This posting can close at any time after November 1, 2019 without further notice.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The successful candidate will join a team of professionals dedicated to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that is committed to action and economic growth for the region. In alignment with Metropolitan Council’s core values, EO leads the charge in establishing an equity-minded community that challenges and eliminates exclusionary systems and practice.

What you would do in this job
•Assist the Director in evaluating and implementing affirmative action, diversity, accessibility, and equity policies and goals, ADA/Title II, Title VI, Title VII, DBE/MCUB compliance and all other applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, directives and Council policies
•Assist Director with department policy development and strategic planning
•Design, compile and produce department benchmarks for how to measure department success
•Develop and evaluate strategy to ensure work produced by EO is captured
•Manage and organize immediate and long-term staff duties through two Supervisors, a Manager, and a Senior Manager
•Conduct and evaluate quarterly staff work assessments
•Carry out special projects assigned by the Director. Provide coverage for the Director and represent the office at various meetings and events as a technical advisor and liaison within the industry, community groups, and partner with governmental agencies
•Assist the Director in review of reports and goals for the submission of federal, state and local reports and audits
•Provides authoritative technical advice to top management, front-line leadership, key agency officials, and other specialists and managers on matters related to EEO, AA, ADA, and equity
•Serve on inter-agency work groups, task forces, or expert panels established for special projects or studies

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Education/Experience:
•Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy or a closely related field.
•Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in civil rights program administration, equal opportunity, affirmative action, equity or a closely related occupational area with duties comparable to those listed in the knowledge, skills and abilities.
•Five (5) years supervisory or leadership experience Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driver’s license. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
•Juris Doctorate (equivalent to 3 years of Experience)
•Demonstrated professional work experience with handling confidential and sensitive personnel or personal data
•Demonstrated professional work experience with personnel databases
•Demonstrated experience accessing data and conducting AA and EEO analysis
•Demonstrated experience in building strong partnerships both internally and externally including with culturally and ethnically diverse populations

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
•Ability to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of all diverse and cultural backgrounds
•Knowledge of governing Federal, State and local laws, regulations and guidelines including Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and the Americans with Disabilities Act
•Knowledge and understanding of the Minnesota Data Practices Act
•In depth knowledge of federal and state affirmative action plans development, enforcement and compliance
•Knowledge of equal opportunity problems encountered by members of minority, women, and other protected groups
•Knowledge of civil rights, fair employment practices, laws and regulations
•Knowledge of strategic planning and project management principles or continuous process improvement techniques
•Skilled in developing and leading teams with the ability to inspire cross-functional teams at all levels
•Ability to support effective problem-solving and root cause analysis by leading and conducting problem solving processes, using structured problem-solving methods sufficient to address and resolve issues with diplomacy and tact
•Ability to coach and train departments and staff on best practices in search process, which includes subset areas such as recruitment, diversity and inclusion, confidentiality, interview conduction, and selection/hiring
•Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative and data reports, write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals
•Ability to provide authoritative interpretations and application of complex legal and business requirements and new or modified legislation and guidance materials
•Ability to be self-directed, work autonomously and perform in a highly confidential and sensitive work environment
•Ability to communicate effective both orally in writing in order to clearly convey complex issues to decision makers
•Ability to effectively plan and distribute workload as well as coordinate and complete several activities simultaneously
•Strong sense of responsibility, flexibility, ability to work under pressure, extraordinary diligence, with a solution-oriented way of working
•Skills in Microsoft Office Suite

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 enhance their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
•We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Apply here.