Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III)

Senior Small Business Specialist (EO Consultant III)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Blue Line Extension Project Office-St. Louis Park, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00300

Division

Regional Administration

Department

CivilRights SmallBusiness

Opening Date

08/13/2026

Closing Date

8/26/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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.

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 Councils 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 Councils Small Business Contracting or Equity and Inclusion programs for Metro Transits 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 Councils Procurement department through bidding and awarding contracts and the Councils 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 Councils 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 candidates experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidates 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 Councils 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 Councils 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 (DOT) and 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 certification review.
• EO Consultant III is expected to be a member of the Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP) and the Certification Application Committee (CAC). May also be tasked with serving as the Chair for the CAC when hosted by the Council.
• Advise employees and management on policies, plans and procedures in diversity and equal opportunity programs.
• Develop and deliver training as it relates to the Councils small business programs.
• Provide work direction and guidance to LRTU staff and interns as it relates to daily assignments and administration of programs and compliance.
• Take a lead role in overseeing and executing tasks related to stakeholder engagement for DBE and workforce related LRT project activities, including LRT project committees.
• Perform other related duties.

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

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field) and experience (in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities):

• Masters degree with two years of experience
• Bachelors degree with four years of experience
• Associate degree with six years of experience
• High school diploma/GED with eight years of experience

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

• Experience providing team lead level support to colleagues and management.
• Deep experience with equity, diversity, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation.
• Obtained Certified Compliance Administrator (CCA) or Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) status with the American Contract Compliance Association.
• Three or more years of experience with small business inclusion programs.
• Two or more years of experience conducting internal or external compliance investigations determining the validity of and recommending a resolution to complaints allegations and preparing an unbiased written narrative of findings.
• Experience reading and interpreting federal regulations and state statutes.
• Experience communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders in plain language.
• Experience with construction project management and compliance.
• Experience with construction workforce development and workforce goals compliance.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Excellent communication skills: interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.
• Ability to build trust and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish themselves across the Council as a subject matter expert for the Councils small business program and contract compliance.
• Effectively provide assistance, guidance and mentorship to other LRTU, SBU, OCRSB, and Council staff.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

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

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade H

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $100,526 - $120,000

Full Salary Range: $88,566 - $143,707

What your work environment would be:

Work is generally performed in a hybrid format: remotely at a home office and/or at the Metropolitan Council offices. Some audits/investigations may require exposure to the outdoor weather conditions. Some positions may require travel between primary work site to other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass 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 criminal background check if the job youre 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.

We believe our employees are a key to our agencys success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• Twitter
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected Other, please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected Employee Referral please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.

04

Please select the option that best indicates your completed education and experience level.

• Masters degree in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field AND at least two years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities.
• Bachelors degree in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field AND at least four years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities.
• Associate degree in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field AND at least six years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities.
• High school diploma/GED AND at least eight years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities.
• Some education in business administration, public administration, human resources or related field AND/OR some years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities, but less than the options above.
• None of the above.

05

Please describe your experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity policy implementation including planning and lead work responsibilities. Include duties performed, where the experience took place, and the duration. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A.

06

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).

• Experience providing team lead level support to colleagues and management
• Deep experience with equity, diversity, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation
• Three or more years of experience with small business inclusion programs
• Two or more years of experience conducting internal or external compliance investigations determining the validity of and recommending a resolution to complaints allegations and preparing an unbiased written narrative of findings
• Experience reading and interpreting federal regulations and state statutes
• Experience communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders in plain language
• Experience with construction project management and compliance
• Experience with construction workforce development and workforce goals compliance
• Certified Compliance Administrator (CCA)
• Master Compliance Administrator (MCA)

07

If you indicated in question #6 that you have experience providing team lead level support to colleagues and management, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

08

If you indicated in question #6 that you have experience with small business programs, equity, diversity, equal opportunity, legal, community outreach, contract administration, or contract compliance implementation, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

09

If you indicated in question #6 that you have experience conducting internal or external compliance investigations determining the validity of and recommending a resolution to complaints allegations and preparing an unbiased written narrative of findings, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

10

If you indicated in question #6 that you experience communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders in plain language, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

11

If you indicated in question #6 that you experience with construction project management and compliance, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

12

If you indicated in question #6 that you experience with construction workforce development and workforce goals compliance, please describe that experience. Include duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

13

The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:

• I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Council

Address 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website https://metrocouncil.org