Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III

Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III)

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. The Office of Civil Rights and Small Business (OCRSB) Programs 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:
The Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III) is part of the Metropolitan Council's Office of Civil Rights and Small Business Programs in the Light Rail Transit Unit (LRTU). This position will plan, organize and administer one or more of the Council's Small Business Contracting or Equity and Inclusion programs for Metro Transit's Light Rail Transit projects. The OCRSB administers two small business contracting programs - the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and the Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business (MCUB) program.

As an EO Consultant III, you will provide consultation and advice to Council business units, develop and conduct training workshops, and generate statistical reports and program analysis. 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. An EO Consultant III 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.

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $100,526 - $120,000 Full Salary Range: $88,566 - $143,707 The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity. This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

What you would do in this job:

• 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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). 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…