Small Business Specialist

Metropolitan Council • 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Metropolitan Council's Regional Administration Division is accepting applications for a Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant 1). 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. Metropolitan Council's Civil Rights and Small Business (OCRSB) department drives equity and advances civil rights in alignment with Met Council strategy, operations, and investments through engagement for inclusive and accessible programs, activities, and services, for positive impact on employees, small businesses, residents of the region, and stakeholders. The EO Consultant I will provide support and assistance to the Small Business Unit (SBU) within OCRSB. This position supports and assists in the promotion and administration of the council's small business programs. This is an entry level job class and is distinguished from the Equal Opportunity Consultant II and III classification in that scope of the duties are coordinated with higher level staff; and incumbents at this level are learning the full performance activities and of the specific Council processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience.
• Associate degree and two to four (2-4) years of experience.
• High School Diploma/GED and four to six (4-6) years of experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Small Business Certification programs such as DBE, TG, VET or CERT.
• Experience implementing and supporting equity programs within a large government or private sector organization.
• Experience in community engagement/outreach with communities in the Twin Cities region.
• Experience with the public procurement industry and best practices.
• Experience preparing engaging marketing/promotional material and infographics.
• Experience reading and interpreting federal and state statutes and guidelines related to small business programs, contract compliance or related items.
• Intermediate skills with word processing, spreadsheet and databases.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as department/agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to engage and interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Promotes an equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values cultural and diversity among all employees.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification process. Duties include participating in the annual declaration of eligibility process, DBE application intake, process DBE interstate application requests, and participating in MnUCP and CAC activities as assigned.
• Update and maintain the Council's small business directories.
• Support Council-wide small business initiatives and outreach activities as assigned.
• Assist higher-level staff in administering the Council's small business program.
• Participate in one-on-one meetings and assistance with small businesses interested in the DBE and/or MCUB program.
• Assist with contract compliance and program regulatory compliance activities.
• Performs other related duties.

Benefits

• opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• on-site training
• tuition reimbursement
• competitive salary
• excellent benefits
• good work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED