WHO WE ARE
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.
The Community Development Division is responsible for the Council’s regional growth strategy; planning and technical assistance to local communities; and planning for regional parks and open space. The division also includes the Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) and the Livable Communities grant program.
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) operates the state’s largest Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program serving nearly 7,200 individuals and families with rent assistance through nine different programs and an annual budget of approximately $75 million. The Metro HRA is seeking an experienced, innovative Assistant Director to manage the policies, programs, operations and resources of the Metro HRA including a staff of 43 employees.
What you would do in this job
- Assist in directing, managing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the Metro HRA business unit and staff including oversight of the hiring process and direct supervision of supervisory staff. Determine and monitor appropriate staffing levels.
- Assist the Director with the monitoring of Housing Choice Voucher funding and utilization.
- Serve as the policy advisor to the Director; review, analyze, interpret and monitor compliance with program regulations and policy; research and analyze federal budget policy initiatives and bills to determine program impacts.
- Assist with the development of the $75 million department budget.
- Assist the Director with implementation of special initiatives such as the Moving to Work program.
- Prepare and submit the Public Housing Agency Plan annually.
- Manage and monitor Metro HRA programs and grants that serve specialized populations, such as homeless or disabled. Provide oversight and vision for the Council’s mobility counseling program and outreach activities.
- Coordinate and prepare federal and state funding/grant applications.
- Manage and oversee the operation of the 150 Metropolitan Council-owned scattered site housing units including oversight of private management company providing day-to-day management services.
- Develop HRA work plans, annual goals and objectives; provide direction, assign and delegate work to assistant managers and supervisors; approve expenditures.
- Prepare and present materials of both informational and decision-making nature to the Council and internal and external audiences.
- Represent the Council and the HRA on external committees, work groups, and boards that examine issues or make decisions that directly or indirectly affect the Metro HRA.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
A Bachelor’s degree in housing, business administration, public administration or related field AND eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in the administration or coordination of housing assistance programs including five or more years of supervisory, lead worker or management experience
An Associate degree in housing, business administration, public administration or related field AND ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in the administration or coordination of housing assistance programs including five or more years of supervisory, lead worker or management experience
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
- Experience working directly with the Housing Choice Voucher program, including policy development implementation, interpreting program rules, setting discretionary policies, updating administrative plans and working with Resident Advisory Boards, etc.
- Demonstrated success in leading and managing a large staff of 10 or more to accomplish work plan objectives and special projects.
- Experience managing rent assistance programs serving specialized populations, such as those experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities.
- Certification(s) in assisted housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher management and operations such as certification in rent calculation, occupancy or executive management.
- Experience applying knowledge of institutional racism and the historically different impact of public investment on communities of color to one’s work in the housing sector.
What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations, program rules and standard business practices regarding the operation of rental assistance programs.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of staff supervision.
- Knowledge of the grant administration process.
- Knowledge of effective means of supporting and serving persons from differing socio-economic backgrounds and persons with limited English.
- Knowledge of racial and social equity and an ability, or growth capacity, to participate in conversations about race and equity, as well as identify opportunities to integrate equity initiatives into the work.
- Skills in effective conflict resolution strategies.
- Skills to analyze, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations and procedures pertaining to rent assistance programs.
- Skills in preparing clear, concise reports, correspondence and other written material.
- Skills to motivate and delegate work and projects to supervisors and staff.
- Ability to evaluate business processes, identify improvements and leverage technology.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with other agencies, employees and internal and external contacts.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions and recommendations which involve a high degree of technical complexity.
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.
- We encourage and support staff to bring the full range of the experiences and identities that define them to the workplace.
- We encourage and support staff in contributing to a dynamic work culture that improves the Council’s ability to serve the region and strives to effectively support all employees.
- We offer the ability to flex hours worked and work remotely when workload and work scope allows.
More about why you should join us!
Additional information
Union/Grade: Non-Represented/Grade L
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting or in a telework environment. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
- We review your minimum qualifications.
- We rate your education and experience.
- We conduct a structured panel interview.
- 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. 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 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; a supervisory or management job; in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments; or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please call Human Resources at 651.602.1398.
