Associate Community Outreach Coordinator

Associate Community Outreach Coordinator

Salary

$70,616.00 - $114,628.80 Annually

Location

Instruction Center, Minneapolis, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00196

Division

Metro Transit

Department

Bus Transportation Admin

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 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.

Metro Transit is one of the countrys largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

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

The Associate Community Outreach Coordinator position is designed to support Metro Transit's community outreach and engagement efforts within the Instruction Center. This position will focus on coordinating and supporting community-based bus operator outreach programs and bus operator application preparation efforts.

Note: The candidate's permanent residence must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This posting will establish a six (6) month Eligibility List for current and future openings.

What you would do in this job

• Assists in planning, coordinating, and participating in preparing bus operator trainees to gain their Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
• Facilitates and presents at the Commercial Learner's Permit study sessions, clearly explaining program expectations, training and studying structure, and licensure requirements to bus operator trainees.
• Prepares materials for the Commercial Learner's Permit study sessions by copying materials, putting together packets, scheduling new hires, etc.
• Coaches individuals with varying experience levels, providing individualized guidance, encouragement, and structured study methods to increase permit pass rates.
• Maintains deep familiarity with Driver and Vehicle Service (DVS) requirements, ensuring all candidates meet documentation and testing standards for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
• Leads candidates through exam visits, including check-in, process navigation, paperwork collection, and administrative tasks.
• Tracks and reports program metrics such as practice test performance, CLP test attempts and results, weekly permit outcomes, and CLP data for leadership and hiring teams to enhance the program.
• Serves as a proctor on testing days and safely operate transit vehicles to transport bus operator new hires to test for the CLP as needed.
• Reconciles purchasing card expenses as it relates to the program.
• Assists in and supports Instruction Center facilitation as needed.
• Maintains closed caption communications.
• Communicates daily with Instruction Center Management and Human Resources.
• Maintains bus operator new hire paperwork and progress with HR.
• Manages difficult or sensitive conversations with professionalism, offering interventions, coaching, and clear expectations for new hire bus operators and prospective candidates.
• Assists in community outreach activities as needed.
• Builds and maintains working relationships with prospective candidates through drop-in hours by guiding them through the application process, verifying required documents, and connecting them with other council opportunities when appropriate.
• Works occasional nights and weekends as needed.

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

Any of the following combinations of work experience in public affairs or community relations for a non-profit or government agency (paid/unpaid/internship), full-cycle recruitment, teaching, and/or tutoring ; and completed education in planning, urban studies, social work, psychology, education, communication, public affairs, political science, marketing, business administration, or related field.

• High school diploma/GED with at least five (5) years of experience.
• Associate degree with at least three (3) years of experience.
• Bachelors degree or higher with at least one (1) year of experience.

Other Requirements:

Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

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

• Experience with event coordination logistics.
• Experience in transit/transportation.
• Experience in non-profit or government agency.
• Experience with teaching others to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and/or Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
• Ability to read and review driver's licenses, including the CDL, CLP, and Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) regulations and requirements.
• Skilled in writing, listening, and speaking in a second language.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills and software (Microsoft Office).
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Ability to multi-task

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

• Knowledge of a wide variety of EO/AA federal and state statutes and guidelines relating to recruitment and selection activities.
• Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including agency contacts, potential candidates for employment, and school personnel.
• Basic to intermediate skills with word processing, presentations, spreadsheets and databases sufficient to develop marketing materials, presentations and track data.
• Strong presentation and communications skills.
• Skilled in the use of email and Outlook calendar function for setting up public meetings.
• Skilled in reading, writing and speaking a second language is desired.
• Skilled in dealing with conflict and stressful situations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as department procedures, federal and state guidelines.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, compute rate, ratio and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Requires tact, courtesy and cooperation in dealings with others where the primary purpose is the exchange of information.
• Promotes and equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values cultural and diverse 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: Non-Represented / Grade E

FLSA Status: Non-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 where public transportation is not efficient. Additionally, this position will participate in events that are held outside exposed to the elements.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.

2. We rate your education and experience.

3. We conduct a structured panel interview.

4. 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
• X (formerly known as 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

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.

05

Which of the following describes your level of education and experience?

• High school diploma/GED AND at least five (5) years of experience in public affairs or community relations for a non-profit or government agency (paid/unpaid/internship), full-cycle recruitment, teaching, and/or tutoring.
• Associate degree in planning, urban studies, social work, psychology, education, communication, public affairs, political science, marketing, business administration, or related field AND at least three (3) years of experience in public affairs or community relations for a non-profit or government agency (paid/unpaid/internship), full-cycle recruitment, teaching, and/or tutoring.
• Bachelors degree or higher in planning, urban studies, social work, psychology, education, communication, public affairs, political science, marketing, business administration, or related field AND at least one (1) year of experience in public affairs or community relations for a non-profit or government agency (paid/unpaid/internship), full-cycle recruitment, teaching, and/or tutoring
• None of the above

06

What experience have you had with event coordination logistics? If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A."

07

Can you read, write, listen, and speak in a second language outside of English? If so, please specify the second language in which you can read, write, listen, and speak. Additionally, share how many years of experience you have and your level of fluency (e.g., expert, intermediate, beginner). If not, please type "N/A."

08

What experience have you had working in transit/transportation? If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A."

09

What experience have you had with reading, reviewing, and interpreting Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)/Commercial Driver's License (CDL) guidelines and requirements? If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A."

10

Please share how you have promoted an equitable, positive, respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees. If you do not have this experience, please put "N/A."

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Council

Address 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website https://metrocouncil.org