Data Practices Specialist

Metropolitan Council; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Council is seeking a Data Practices Specialist to support public access to information and data privacy rights. You will coordinate government data requests, review documents for privacy considerations, and redact information as required under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA).

The role focuses on data practices, records management, and collaboration across Council divisions.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) and privacy laws.
• Experience gathering, reviewing, and redacting data for government data requests.
• Ability to review documents for responsiveness and apply redactions.
• Experience with records management and data storage platforms is desirable.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work with cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with the MGDPA under supervision of Head of Data Practices.
• Respond to government data requests and communicate with requesters.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify responsive data and gather documents.
• Track outstanding data requests and assist staff to ensure timely delivery.
• Review documents for responsiveness and redact sensitive information per laws.
• Coordinate with technology platforms to gather data and help requesters access records.
• Maintain data request documentation in the Data Practices Office system.
• Represent the Data Practices Office in meetings with other divisions.
• Develop internal guidance and processes to support the Office and its customers.
• Pursue continuing education related to data practices and e-discovery.

Skills

Data privacy concepts

Communication

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma/GED with 6+ years

Associate degree with 4+ years

Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years

Tools

CRM

E-discovery software

Document management systems

Redaction tools

Video retrieval systems

Job description

After an initial period of on-site work, this position is eligible for a hybrid (both onsite and remote) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position will be located at our St. Paul office with occasional time spent at our Minneapolis office. 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. Office of General Counsel provides a wide range of legal and advisory services for the Metropolitan Council board and the organization’s regional administration, management, and staff of its operating divisions. The Council’s Data Practices Office is housed within the Office of General Counsel. It receives and responds to data requests; partners with all five divisions; and ensures that the Council complies with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). The successful applicant will coordinate data requests and work closely with staff and leadership across a variety of program areas. They will be under the general supervision of the Head of Data Practices. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Data Practices Specialist will support public access to Metropolitan Council information as well as data privacy rights. The position manages data requests for documents, communications, video, and other government data by collecting, reviewing, redacting, and sharing government data in accordance with the MGDPA and other privacy and disclosure laws. This position does NOT perform data analytic or data science tasks. This posting will establish a 180-day eligibility pool for current and future openings.

• Under the supervision of the Head of Data Practices, ensure the Council’s compliance with the MGDPA
• Communicate with data requesters and respond to government data requests
• Work with program staff to understand responsive data and gather documents and data that respond to data requests
• Track outstanding documents, communications, and other government data; follow-up with program staff regularly to ensure timely receipt of the government data; assist program staff with questions about data requests
• In consultation with the Head of Data Practices, review documents for responsiveness. Mark for redaction data that are classified as private, confidential, nonpublic, protected nonpublic under the MGDPA, or nonpublic data under federal laws and regulations
• Work with technology, software, and audio/video platforms to gather documents and other government data, and help requesters of various skill levels access government data
• Manage data request documentation in the Data Practices Office’s data request management system
• Represent the Data Practices Office in meetings with other Council divisions and program areas
• Communicate and build trust across the Council, with other Council stakeholders, and with data requesters
• Work with Data Practices Office colleagues to develop internal guidance, systems, and processes to support the work of the Office and its internal customers
• Remain current in and participate in continuing education and training opportunities related to data practices, e-discovery, records management, and commonly used standards, methods, and procedures

Any of the following combinations of completed education (degree field of study in Law, Paralegal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field) and experience (in legal assistance, document management, discovery, data practices, or related area):

• High school diploma/GED with six or more years of experience
• Associate degree with four or more years of experience
• Bachelor’s degree with two or more years of experience

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

• One or more years of experience gathering, reviewing, and redacting data under the MGDPA and applying it to a wide variety of government data types typically held by government entities
• Experience reviewing and applying other laws, statutes, or regulations governing data privacy or civil/criminal procedure
• Experience working with records management systems
• Experience working in document review or discovery
• Advanced computer skills, including experience using CRM, video retrieval, and document management systems
• Experience reviewing documents for private or sensitive information
• Experience with redaction tools and e-discovery software
• Experience working across groups in a large, complex organization
• Public sector work experience
• Experience working with diverse internal and external customers

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

Knowledge of:

• Data privacy and transparency concepts, including specific knowledge of the MGDPA and other data privacy laws and regulations
• Document search and review, e-discovery, or similar data review processes
• Data management concepts, principles, and processes
• Records management concepts, principles, and processes

Skills in:

• Communicating both orally and in writing
• Time management and organization
• Reviewing, understanding, and applying laws, statutes, and regulations
• Interpersonal relationships, including working with individuals at all levels of the organization and a broad range of external customers
• E-discovery platforms and the use of redaction tools

Ability to:

• Work both independently and in a team setting
• Collaborate and problem solve
• Prioritize and organize tasks effectively to meet deadlines
• Work in, learn about, and help others understand a wide variety of technology, software, data storage, and audio/video platforms
• Exercise independent judgment and apply redactions consistent with state and federal privacy and disclosure laws
• Work in a setting requiring confidentiality and sensitivity to privacy needs
• Work within and meet deadlines with accuracy, attention to detail, and a minimum of oversight
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful environment that values culture and diversity

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!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade F

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.

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 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, 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 [e-mail].