Small Business Specialist

WHO WE ARE

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 is 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 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.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region :

This position is part of the Metropolitan Council's Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity. The Equal Opportunity Consultant II position is part of the Small Business Unit and will support one or more of the Council's Small Business Contracting, or Equity and Inclusion Programs. The Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity administers two small business contracting programs : the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and the Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business (MCUB) Program. As an EO Consultant II, you will engage with Council business units, assist in generating statistical reports, and program analysis; and work with the Council's project managers to develop small business inclusion goals on contracts. In addition, you will work with the Council's Procurement Department through bidding and awarding contracts and the Council's construction office to ensure compliance with program guidelines. EO Consultant II may also be expected to work with external partners from the community, small businesses, and general contractors to achieve the Council's small business programs' goals and perform other related duties.

Note : The salary displayed is the full salary range. The hiring salary will be determined based on the final candidate's qualifications, and the Council's internal pay structures.

What you would do in this job

• Administer and implement Equity and Equal Opportunity programs - Certified Small Business contracting programs.
• Plan, organize, and administer the Council's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and Metropolitan Council Under-Utilized Business (MCUB) Program, as needed.
• Participate in the DBE certification process including reviewing applications, performing on-site visits, presenting recommendations, and reviewing annual certification reviews, as needed.
• EO Consultant II is expected to be a member of the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) and the Certification Application Committee.
• Develop and calculate contract DBE / MCUB goals.
• Participate in the review and evaluation of Request for Proposals (RFP) and Invitations for Bid (IFB) with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / Public Facility Agency (PFA), or local funding, to review general contractors' DBE / MCUB commitment or good faith efforts (GFE). Participate in pre-bid meetings and pre-construction meetings representing OEO, as needed.
• Monitor, collect, and analyze data for contract compliance.
• EO Consultant II may be asked to conduct site visits to construction sites in the seven-county metro area to verify that DBE / MCUB subcontractors are working on-site and providing commercial useful functions as defined by programs' guidelines.
• Attend compliance meetings, as needed, and proactively address small business inclusion compliance issues.
• Utilize policies and procedures to monitor DBE / MCUB compliance.
• Participate in outreach efforts and work with 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.
• Support and participate in OEO-led Council-wide equity initiatives and projects.
• Perform other directly related duties.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of professional experience working with small business inclusion programs, equity, diversity, affirmative action, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation AND completed education in business administration, public administration, public policy, or closely related field.

Master's degree and one year of experience may be considered. Experience must be relevant to small business inclusion programs, equity, diversity, affirmative action, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications) :

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have :

Diversity / equal opportunity / contract compliance knowledge. Legislation knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, including CFR 49 Part 26 Knowledge of Title Seven of the Civil Rights Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Additional information

Union / Grade : AFSCME / Grade G

FLSA Status : Exempt

Safety Sensitive : No

What your work environment would be :

You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves :

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then :

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council , you must pass a drug test (safety-sensitive positions only), and 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 drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety-sensitive position) and criminal background checks 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 .