Community Outreach Coordinator

Metropolitan Council; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Flexible schedule

Job summary

The Metropolitan Council seeks a Community Outreach Coordinator embedded in local communities to build and sustain long‑term relationships with businesses, neighborhood organizations, and government partners. This role focuses on outreach planning, public engagement, and problem solving across Metro Transit initiatives.

Hybrid work arrangements are available, with a requirement that the candidate reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Qualifications

• Experience in public affairs or community relations with diverse groups.
• Experience working with the public and community organizations.
• Education in Planning, Urban Studies, Communication, Public Affairs, Political Science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Create outreach plans and manage engagement projects.
• Build and coordinate activities like public hearings, focus groups, surveys and education sessions to foster public input.
• Represent Metro Transit at public events and meetings of committees.
• Interface with internal stakeholders to ensure consistent communications with affected communities.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding Metro Transit services and programs.
• Track public comments and tailor messages to specific audiences.
• Take meeting minutes and support administrative tasks.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Public outreach

Community relations

Event coordination

Written communication

Public speaking

Second language

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Databases

Job description

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 country's 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.

The Metro Transit Community Outreach Coordinator will be geographically based, embedded in community to build and maintain long‑term community relationships. They will serve as consistent points of contact for businesses, neighborhood organizations, community partners, city and county representatives and police partners. They will manage and provide problem solving related to escalated customer and community issues that require ongoing ownership. Responsible for coordinating responses involving elected officials, executive leadership, or multiple Metro Transit departments. Support proactive outreach related to customer education and connecting with communities that are not currently riding by expanding Metro Transit’s How to Ride programming to encourage ridership. Support on‑going initiatives such as the Safety & Security Action Plan including changing perception by developing and implementing communication and public involvement activities to build public understanding and support. Interfaces with project managers, communications staff, and other Council departments involved in the project. Represents and/or attends public events and meetings of committees.

We are creating a six (6) month eligibility list for current and future openings.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $39.69 to $52.88 hourly

$82,555 to $110,000 annually

Full Salary Range: $39.69 to $64.41 hourly

$82,555 to $133,973 annually

The hiring salary will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications, the Council’s internal pay structures, and our total compensation package for the position.

Note: These positions are eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Hours will primarily be Monday - Friday during standard business hours with the need to work a flexible schedule that includes early mornings, nights, and weekends to accommodate community connection. The candidate’s permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Responsibilities

• Create outreach plans and manage engagement projects.
• Build, maintain, coordinate and implement activities such as public hearings, focus groups, surveys, education, information presentations, and other forums that foster input from and education of the public for transit service, program(s) or project(s). Identifies constituencies that need to be communicated with and involved in transit service, programs or projects.
• Represents Metro Transit, as assigned, in community, at public events and meetings of committees and organizations.
• Interfaces with the internal stakeholders, to ensure consistent communication with communities potentially impacted by transit service, a program or project(s).
• Responds to customer inquiries, requests for information regarding all aspects of Metro Transit service, program(s) or project(s).
• Tracks public comments to assist in tailoring key messages and collateral material to specific audiences, including civic, business and opinion leaders, neighborhoods, organizations etc.; maintains stakeholder contact lists.
• Reviews routine communication tools for consistency while creating outreach and engagement plans and updating accordingly as transit service, program(s) or project(s) progress.
• Performs administrative tasks such as taking meeting minutes, creating agendas, and typing up notes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

Any of the following combinations of progressively responsible experience public affairs or community relations that includes working with the public, diverse community groups, consultants, opinion leaders and community‑based organizations and completed education in Planning, Urban Studies, Communication, Public Affairs, Political Science or a related field:

• High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience
• Associate degree with five (5) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher with three (3) years of experience

Lifting Requirements

• Ability to lift, move and transport items weighing up to 25 pounds. Assistance from another person or a mechanical device may be required for heavier items.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies, communication, public affairs, political science or related field.
• Experience with event coordination logistics.
• Experience with community outreach in Minneapolis specifically with construction coordination, building strong community relationships.
• Experience in transit/transportation.
• Experience in non‑profit or government agency.
• Skilled in writing, listening, and speaking in a second language.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

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

• Skilled in using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and working with databases.
• Skilled in setting up laptop and projectors for use at public meetings.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication.
• Skilled in public speaking and presentation development
• Skilled in dealing with conflict and stressful situations.
• Skilled in reading, writing and speaking a second language is desired.
• Ability to use photocopiers, printers, plotters and other office equipment required for putting meeting materials together.
• Ability to use email and Outlook calendar function for setting up public meetings.
• Ability to identify outreach strategies and stakeholders.
• Ability to solve problems and suggest solutions.
• Ability to find information and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to meaningfully connect with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to identify emerging issues or anticipate pain points.
• Ability to listen and summarize conversations with the public or in meetings.
• Ability to pay attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

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.

Union/Grade: Non-Represented / Pay Grade G

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment

• Work is typically performed in a standard office environment, however, frequent travel between the primary work site and other locations is required.
• This position will participate in events held outdoors and may be exposed to various weather conditions.

Recruitment Process

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.

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 you’re 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, Affluent 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 [e-mail].