Digital Content Strategist

Metropolitan Council; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Council in Minnesota invites applications for a Digital Content Strategist. This newly created role sits within the Digital Experience team and will own content strategy across the organization’s web presence.

You will collaborate with an external website vendor during pre-launch and assume full ownership post-launch, guiding content governance, IA, and accessibility standards. You will work closely with the Senior Digital Specialist and Manager to implement SEO/AEO/GEO best

Qualifications

• Experiences in web content strategy or digital communications.
• Ability to translate inputs into digital content strategies.

Responsibilities

• Supports governance of the Council's digital content strategy and governance documentation.
• Collaborates with Communications Consultants and the Digital Experience team to develop digital strategies across platforms.
• Leads conversations with internal clients, end users, and stakeholders to determine content needs.
• Educates others on accessible and useful content delivery.
• Applies information architecture and site-architecture best practices to content placement.
• Translates raw inputs into digital content using web copywriting and storytelling best practices.
• Develops and maintains the Council's Web Style Guide with internal and external partners.
• Works with SEO/AEO/GEO best practices and the Digital Experience Manager.
• Performs other duties to support the Digital Experience team and department objectives.

Skills

Content strategy

SEO

HTML/CSS knowledge

Web analytics

Writing & editing

Stakeholder collaboration

Project management

Education

High school diploma/GED + 7 years experience

Associate degree + 5 years experience

Bachelor's degree or higher + 3 years experience

Tools

Figma

Umbraco

WordPress

Drupal

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.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Communications

Provides strategy and planning; digital user experiences; writing, editing, graphic design, and video production services; facilitates relations with a wide range of news media; provides information content, design, and organizational framework for the Metropolitan Council’s public‑facing website; and maintains an ongoing presence on social media.

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

The Digital Content Strategist is a newly established role within the Digital Experience team, created to provide strategic ownership of all digital content across the organization's web presence. Working closely with the external website vendor during the pre-launch phase and taking full internal ownership post-launch, this individual plans, governs, and continuously improves the content experience for all digital audiences.

*Notes:

*This position offers a hybrid telework arrangement, combining remote and onsite work. The candidate must reside permanently in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

*This position may establish a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

Responsibilities

• Supports governance of the Council's digital content strategy, including upholding the website's design principles and best practices, educating partners when governance violations occur, and evolving governance documentation over time.
• Collaborates with department Communications Consultants and the Digital Experience Manager to develop digital communications strategies across multiple platforms.
• Leads conversations with internal clients, end users, and stakeholders to determine how to develop content for a given digital property.
• Educates others on selecting the most accessible and useful vehicle for their content.
• Applies information architecture and site architecture best practices to content placement.
• Translates raw content inputs (copy, images, data) into digital content, utilizing web copywriting and digital storytelling best practices.
• Develop and maintain the Council's Web Style Guide for written content in collaboration with external vendors, the Digital Experience team, and other members of the communications department.
• Work closely with the Senior Digital Specialist and Digital Experience Manager to adhere to SEO/AEO/GEO best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Digital Experience team and department objectives.

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

Any of the following combinations of experience in web content strategy or digital communications, or a related field, and completed education (degree field of study in Communications, Business, Journalism, or a closely related field):

• A high school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience.
• An associate degree with five (5) years of experience.
• A bachelor's degree or higher with three (3) years of experience.

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

• Experience translating raw inputs (copy, images, data) into digital content strategy
• Experience leading conversations with internal clients, end users, and stakeholders to develop content strategy
• Experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.

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

• Working knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO), answer engine optimization (AEO), and generative engine optimization (GEO) best practices.
• Working knowledge of basic HTML and CSS.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and best practices.
• Knowledge of prototyping tools such as Figma.
• Knowledge of digital application and content management systems.
• Knowledge of digital experience best practices.
• Skill in content management systems (e.g., Umbraco, WordPress, Drupal, or similar platforms).
• Skilled in writing, editing, and proofreading with a plain-language communications focus.
• Skilled in web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Siteimprove, or other tools) and their application.
• Skilled in user research, search engine optimization analysis, and applying analytics to solve content problems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information and situations and facilitate initial handling and processing in a timely manner, communicating with individuals at all levels of the organization.

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 G

FLSA:Exempt

Safety Sensitive:No

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office setting

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].