Manager, Livable Communities Act Grant Programs

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.

The Community Development Division is responsible for the Council's regional growth strategy, planning and technical assistance to local communities, parks and open space, Livable Communities grants to local governments, and the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA).

The Livable Communities Unit within the Community Development Division is responsible for two main areas of work: the implementation of the Livable Communities Act grant programs and the development and implementation of regional housing policy. The work unit distributes roughly $20 million annually to local governments to fund community investment that revitalizes neighborhoods, creates affordable housing, and links land use and transportation.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Livable Communities Act Manager leads the LCA program team in implementing and evaluating the activities, procedures, practices, and resources of the Livable Communities Act (LCA) programs and ensures strategic alignment of LCA programs with housing policy and other Council plans, policies, and systems.

The Livable Communities Act Manager serves as a key leader within the Housing and Livable Communities team in the Community Development Division. The LCA Manager ensures the efficient, responsible, and effective implementation of the Livable Communities Act programs, and directly supervises 4-6 program staff. Additionally, this role supports and cultivates innovation in local development policies, community economic development strategies, placemaking, anti-displacement, and affordable housing development throughout the Twin Cities region.

The ideal candidate will have experience in managing the implementation of grant and funding programs for development and redevelopment projects, managing projects and teams, and advancing equitable housing and community development practice.

NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

This posting will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

• Supervise and manage the regular work of the LCA grant team, including establishing work unit plans and budgets, developing individual work plans, cultivating staff talent and effective staff performance, guiding staff in developing professional development goals, providing ongoing constructive performance feedback, and hiring.
• Supervise and manage the operations and administration of LCA grant programs, including the development of the annual Fund Distribution Plan, outreach to potential funding applicants, and grant application review / selection for approximately nine (9) funding programs annually.
• Coordinate work planning efforts with the Senior Manager and the other members of the LCA & Housing team to maximize alignment between LCA programs and housing policy, support housing policy implementation, and advance common goals.
• Ensure that the operations of LCA programs follow the Livable Communities Act statutes and Council policy and best practices for grant management processes.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships, relationships, outreach and engagement with internal collaborators, policy makers, local government, community groups, advocacy organizations and other stakeholders interested in Livable Communities Act grants.
• Advance outreach, technical assistance, public engagement, policy analysis, and program evaluation projects to improve delivery and impact of grant programs.
• Oversee the effective delivery of consistent, fair, accurate, and equitable grantmaking processes; ensure a high level of customer service with local governments, development team partners, and other key stakeholders.

Any of the following combinations of education (degree field of study in Social Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Regional or Urban Planning, or related field of study) and experience in grant coordination, urban and regional planning, housing policy, affordable housing development, community development, economic development, program administration and/or implementation or public sector planning:

• High school diploma/GED with 10 (ten) years of experience, including 3 (three) years of experience in a managerial, supervisory, or lead worker role.
• Associate degree with 8 (eight) years of experience, including 3 (three) years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role.
• Bachelor's degree with 6 (six) years of experience including 3 (three) years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role.
• Master's degree with 4 (four) years of experience, including 3 (three) years of experience in a manager, supervisor, or lead worker role.

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

• Knowledge/experience with affordable rental and ownership housing, community-focused real estate development projects, placemaking, community economic development, and/or transit-oriented development and development finance.
• Knowledge of the funding landscape and financial tools for economic development and affordable housing in the region.
• Experience in implementing or developing technical assistance and training tools, grantmaking or lending programs, or planning documents or policies for municipalities.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated experience in applying equity principles in policymaking and grant programs, processes, and decision-making.
• Knowledge of institutional racism and the historically different impact of public investments on communities of color.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with a wide variety of internal and external partners to address regional goals.
• Ability to successfully lead and manage projects, coordinate work of project teams, and complete deliverables within allotted timeframes.
• Ability to manage and mentor staff and support professional growth
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with staff, internal and external partners and customers.
• Persuasive communication skills, including the ability to influence, instruct, and negotiate with others to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and clearly to a diverse audience of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local governments and their development partners even when delivering unwelcome news.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret funding applications, pro formas, site plans, and legal documents.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft suite and knowledge of GIS and project management tools.
• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills.
• Experience with outreach to cross-cultural communities.

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

• Extensive knowledge of the purposes, objectives, guidelines, criteria, and processes of the Livable Communities Act grant processes.
• Knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council works as it applies to the Livable Communities programs and local and regional housing policy. ?
• Knowledge of the Twin Cities region and existing city relationships.
• Ability to analyze and interpret the Metropolitan Council Imagine 2050 goals and apply them effectively in the project analysis and/or development process.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage employees to develop 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: MANA/Grade J
FLSA: 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 drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and 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 drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and 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 HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.