Small Business Specialist

Metropolitan Council, Minneapolis

St. Paul, MN

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$36.43–$59.13 Per Hour
SKILLS
Affirmative Action, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Best Practices, Business Administration, Consulting, Customer Support/Service, Diversity, Educational Administration, Employee Assistance Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Event Management, Facebook, Federal Laws and Regulations, Fitness, Government, Health Plan, High School Diploma, Human Resources, Leadership, LinkedIn, Public Administration, Public Policy, Purchasing/Procurement, Regulatory Compliance, Retirement Funds, Small Business, Spreadsheets, State Laws and Regulations, Twitter, Willing to Travel, Word Processing
LOCATION
St. Paul, MN
POSTED
5 days ago

Small Business Specialist

Salary

$75,774.40 - $122,990.40 Annually

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00246

Division

Regional Administration

Department

CivilRights SmallBusiness

Opening Date

06/26/2026

Closing Date

7/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

WHO WE ARE

The Metropolitan Councils 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 candidates 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.

More information about us is on our website.

Metropolitan Councils 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.

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

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 councils 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.

What you would do in this job

  • 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 Councils small business directories.
  • Support Council-wide small business initiatives and outreach activities as assigned.
  • Assist higher-level staff in administering the Councils 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.

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

Education/Experience:

Any combination of completed education (in business administration, public administration/public policy, human resources or related field) and experience (in affirmative action/equal opportunity, compliance, outreach/public engagement, customer service, investigations, or leadership activities related to diversity and/or equal opportunity programs).

  • Bachelors 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.

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

  • 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.

What you can expect from us:

  1. We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

  2. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

  3. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Salary Grade: AFSCME/Grade F

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Full Salary Range: $36.43 - $59.13 hourly / $75,774.40 - $122,990.40 annually

Classification Levels

  • EO Consultant I
  • EO Consultant II
  • EO Consultant III

Work Environment: Work is generally performed in a standard office setting. Some audits/investigations may require exposure to the outdoor weather conditions. Some positions may require travel between primary work site to other sites.

The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.

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 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

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

  • Bachelors degree in business administration, public administration/public policy, human resources or related field AND one (1) year of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity, compliance, outreach/public engagement, customer service, investigations, or leadership activities related to diversity and/or equal opportunity programs.
  • Associate degree in business administration, public administration/public policy, human resources or related field AND two to four (2-4) years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity, compliance, outreach/public engagement, customer service, investigations, or leadership activities related to diversity and/or equal opportunity programs.
  • High school diploma/GED AND four to six (4-6) years of experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity, compliance, outreach/public engagement, customer service, investigations, or leadership activities related to diversity and/or equal opportunity programs.
  • Some education in business administration, public administration/public policy, human resources or related field AND some experience in affirmative action/equal opportunity, compliance, outreach/public engagement, customer service, investigations, or leadership activities related to diversity and/or equal opportunity programs.
  • None of the above.

05

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

  • 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.
  • None of the above.

06

Describe one specific example of how you implemented equity into your work processes. If you do not have this experience, type none or N/A.

07

Please describe your experience with database management. If you do not have this experience, type none or N/A.

08

Describe your experience working with small business programs. If you do not have this experience, type none or N/A.

09

Describe your experience with the DBE certification process. If you do not have this experience, type none or N/A.

10

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

About the Company

M

Metropolitan Council, Minneapolis