Qualitative Researcher (Long-Term Temporary - Up to Two Years)

The Metropolitan Council's Community Development Division is accepting applications for an Associate Qualitative Researcher or Qualitative Researcher (Long Term Temporary, up to two years) Benefits eligible. This vacancy may be filled at either classification based on the candidate's qualifications and business needs.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's 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 Council's Community Development division is responsible for the Council's regional growth strategy, planning and technical assistance to local communities, regional parks and open space, Livable Communities grants to local governments, and the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA).

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

In Community Development, we have set the following goals to guide our work:

• Our division builds competency, takes meaningful actions, and creates the necessary infrastructure to advance racial equity.
• Our division's workplace culture is diverse, and inclusive, and empowers all employees.

• Partner with planners and engagement staff in conducting focus groups and interviews, serving as the expert in collecting, organizing, and analyzing qualitative data.
• Design and implement a strategy to enhance understanding of supporting healthy and safe communities in the built environment.
• Create trainings for staff wishing to expand their use of qualitative data techniques.
• Use technology such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti, etc. to organize and analyze qualitative data.
• Enhance Community Development's cultural responsiveness in research and engagement, particularly in support of racial equity and working with Community Based Organizations.
• Research, design, and implement best practices in qualitative data visualization and qualitative research dissemination in public sector settings.
• Implement qualitative data quality control, data capture (managing field notes), data coding, and in house dissemination processes.
• Prepare high-quality written and visual materials and collaborate with presentation of results.
• Work with quantitative researchers and data scientists to bring statistics about people in the region to focus group conversations.
• Elevate the voices of people of color, youth, and other groups into foundational information for regional planning and policy.
• Promote a work culture that advances racial equity.
• Promote a work culture that values innovation and continual learning.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in social sciences, planning, business, marketing or a related field) and experience (in focus groups, interviews, or other qualitative research, including collecting, analyzing, and disseminating qualitative data):

Associate Researcher:

• High school diploma/GED with five years of experience.
• Associate degree with three years of experience.
• Bachelor's or higher degree with one year of experience.

• High school diploma/GED with seven years of experience.
• Associate degree with five years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree with three years of experience.
• Master's degree with one year of experience.

• Experience in successfully leading/managing projects, coordinating the work of the project team, and completing deliverables within allotted timeframes.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to identify opportunities to integrate equity initiatives meaningfully into work products and processes.
• Demonstrated experience with subject matter related to advancing equity, supporting social determinants of health and/or environmental justice within your work.
• Excellent writing and speaking communication skills.
• Interpretive research skills, such as selection of appropriate method to answer specific research questions, research and instrument question design, participant action research, and/or other qualitative methods.
• Experience reading, synthesizing, and conveying academic research, government reports, and other specialized information sources.
• Experience with MS Word and Excel, performing technical analysis using spreadsheet, R or database programs.

• Research skills to analyze individual and community perspectives, lived experiences, and social behavior.
• Ability to describe implications of research results for policy and program implementation.
• Basic knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council works.
• Knowledge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and the regional planning role the Metropolitan Council plays in relationship to local governments.
• Clear understanding of the historical context of the Council and the people it serves and how the Council can work to acknowledge, repair, and reduce regional disparities.
• Extensive knowledge of Council policies, practices, and operational procedures.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply the policy guidelines of the Council.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply Council policy effectively in the policy analysis or development process.
• Ability to visualize qualitative research results for multiple nonacademic audiences.
• Ability to listen to and treat with respect multiple stakeholders while incorporating multiple perspectives into work outputs.

Associate Researcher:
Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade F
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $35.37 - $57.41 hourly / $73,570 - $119,413 annually

Researcher:
Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $38.26 - $62.05 hourly / $79,581 - $129,064 annually

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.