Manager, HRA Outreach & Special Initiatives

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).

Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher program and related programs on behalf of nearly 100 suburban and rural communities throughout Anoka, Carver, and most of suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Metro HRA serves low-income seniors, families, and households, as well as individuals with disabilities.

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

The Manager, HRA Outreach and Special Initiatives manages and guides staff, administers policies, and provides day-to-day management and oversight of the HRA outreach work and team. This position will oversee outreach and engagement activities along with overseeing, planning, and coordinating activities. This position serves as a project manager to support all outreach-related activities, participates in developing and implementing phases of the Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Community Choice Demonstration Program, and is responsible for advancing the development and execution of special initiatives that serve specialized external partnerships and populations.

• Provide direction to the outreach team consistent with team mission, agency priorities, and organization goals.
• Think strategically about housing access and community engagement.
• Establish, maintain, and manage relationships with external partners related to mobility, housing access, outreach, housing stability, and housing interventions. This includes defining expectations, monitoring compliance, and seeking new partnerships.
• Provide ongoing support and coaching to a team of housing and outreach professionals. Manage and evaluate performance. Implement performance improvement and/or disciplinary actions in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide oversight to the Metro HRA's mobility counseling initiatives. This includes ongoing support of HUD's Community Choice Demonstration Program and implementation of additional phases of the research study. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and Metro HRA were jointly awarded funds to address barriers in housing choice and access. This position may work closely with MPHA participants, staff, and leadership.
• Manage relationships and provide oversight to owner and tenant focus groups, the Resident Advisory Board, and other engagement efforts related to special initiatives or agency priorities.
• Develop tools and monitor systems to support full program utilization and expenditure of funds for special-purpose vouchers.
• Implement practices to achieve or exceed established benchmarks and goals.

Any of the following combinations of experience in administering housing assistance programs or other public subsidy programs and completed education (degree field of study in housing, social services, or a related field).

• HS diploma/GED and with ten (10) years of experience. Three (3) years of this experience must include management, supervisory, or project lead experience emphasizing Outreach and Community Engagement strategies.
• Associate's degree and eight (8) years of experience. Three (3) years of this experience must include management, supervisory, or project lead experience emphasizing Outreach and Community Engagement strategies.
• Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of experience. Three (3) years of this experience must include management, supervisory, or project lead experience emphasizing Outreach and Community Engagement strategies.

• Direct experience working with specialized populations such as those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and persons living with disabilities
• Direct experience working with diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and limited English speakers
• Direct experience motivating and managing a team with competing priorities as a trustworthy leader
• Direct experience providing program technical assistance related to federally and state-funded subsidy programs
• Direct experience working with neighborhood and community organizations in program planning and development
• Strong organizational and time management skills; excellent communication skills, including public speaking
• Experience with outreach to cross-cultural communities

• Knowledge of Housing Choice Voucher or other similar assisted housing programs
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations, program rules, and standard business practices regarding the operation of rental assistance programs
• Knowledge of racial and social equity and an ability to participate in conversations about race, equity, and lived experience, as well as identify opportunities to integrate equity initiatives into the work
• Knowledge of working with people experiencing long-term homelessness or at risk of homelessness
• Skills to analyze, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, and procedures about rent assistance programs
• Skills to identify opportunities for efficiency or areas for improvement and recommend/implement solutions or change
• Skills to support staff in appropriate and ethical use of crisis management, de-escalation, conflict mediation, and motivational interviewing
• Demonstrated experience in developing innovative community engagement initiatives and skills in successful meeting facilitation that effectively engages diverse populations
• Ability to inspire and motivate employees to do their best and ability to display high integrity, professionalism, and honesty
• Ability to understand the impacts of systemic and institutional racism within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities when supporting staff and implementing process
• Ability to establish positive relationships and partnerships with other agencies, employees, internal and external contacts, non-profits, residents, historically underrepresented communities, and people with limited English.

• 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 involve:

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 that 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 case-by-case, ensuring a fair judgment based on the relevance to the job and your demonstrated 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). 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.