Veterans and Community Outreach Program Manager

Metra • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

Metra’s Human Resources Department is dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We foster a culture of fairness, trust, and mutual respect by promoting employee engagement, wellness, and professional growth. Through equitable compensation, flexible benefits, and compliance with employment laws, we empower employees to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Metra’s mission of keeping Chicagoland moving. Position Overview Metra is seeking a Veteran & Community Outreach Program Manager to lead initiatives that connect transitioning veterans and community members to meaningful careers. This role is pivotal in building strategic partnerships, creating talent pipelines, and driving outreach efforts that increase program visibility and engagement. You will serve as the primary point of contact for Veteran-focused programs and play a key role in integrating these initiatives into Metra’s broader diversity and inclusion strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• In addition to #1, have (five) 5 years of experience in Veteran engagement, community outreach, public relations, recruiting, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field preferably in the transportation or railroad industry.
• Considerable knowledge of recruitment strategies, best practices, current trends, and innovations in talent acquisition.
• Considerable knowledge of Veterans' benefits, local resources, and employment counseling.
• Working knowledge of military culture, Veteran, and community needs.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal labor and employment laws and regulations including those related to Veterans such as the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Familiar with Power BI or similar interactive visualization programs for dashboards and reports.
• Familiar with Dynamics 365 or similar customer relationship management (CRM) programs or systems to track program metrics.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with active listening to building trust, empathize, collaborate, networking, and interact with the public at all levels.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to design and implement programs from inception to completion.
• Ability to build trust, connect Veterans to services, and drive program success through strategic planning and stakeholder collaboration.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Ability to deliver interactive and engaging presentations to large and small audiences.
• Ability to perform data analytics, develop project dashboards, and create reports.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move up to 30 pounds.
• Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra’s 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Prior military service with an honorable discharge.
• Completion of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans' Employment and Training Service and other federal, state or agency training or continuing education obligations, and optional work-related training forums.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive program that helps Veterans transition into civilian careers by bridging military skills to agency roles, providing resume assistance, and facilitating placement.
• Drive participation in engagement, mentorship, and career development initiatives through Metra’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) and integrate Veteran-focused efforts into diversity and inclusion programs.
• Build and sustain partnerships with veteran organizations, community groups, and government entities to create talent pipelines and increase program visibility.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to design proactive sourcing strategies and targeted outreach plans and partner with Marketing & Communications to create program materials and a strong social media presence.
• Evaluate processes and materials for continuous improvement, ensure adherence to program budget, and train recruiters, hiring managers, and external partners on program functions and requirements.
• Represent Metra at hiring events, chambers of commerce meetings, Veteran service organization gatherings, and other outreach activities to foster program awareness and participation.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain a safe work environment while performing duties under varying conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet organizational needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees