Position Description

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose—serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The Community Specialist – People with Disabilities is responsible to support the City's community of people with disabilities by ensuring City programs, services, activities and projects are accessible to people with disabilities and comply with federal requirements. This position oversees compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and works with all departments to identify and remove barriers to ensure equal access to City programs, services, and activities.

Work Location – This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

Information Session (optional):
The Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Department has prepared a detailed information session which you are highly encouraged to attend. Attendance is optional for all applicants or potential applicants. Registration is not required, please see the link below to the virtual information session. The session will last up to an hour.

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 1st beginning at 4:00 PM Central Time

Join on your computer or mobile app at the link below
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82746577893?pwd=Y01RMjU4bVpGM1NtSUpHUFdaZ0VRdz09
Or call in (audio only)
Meeting ID: 827 4657 7893
Passcode: 799019
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82746577893# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,82746577893# US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgh9XxGrB

T his posting has been amended to close on Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage oversight and compliance of the City of Minneapolis’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Action Plan.
• Support and collaborate on continued development and compliance of the City's ADA Transition Plan for Facilities (Finance and Property Services) and Public Works (Public Works).
• Identify and remove deficiencies/gaps in City programs, services and activities which excludes residents and people with disabilities.
• Provide staff assistance to the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities.
• Oversee, manage and consult on compliance of Title II (state and local government) of the ADA; ensuring programs, services and activities meet the requisite state and federal rules, regulations and guidance.
• Consult and provide technical support to City departments in ensuring City programs, services, activities, and operations are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Research, learn, review, and keep up-to-date on City (and local government) processes and policies along with delivery of programs, services and activities.
• Research and keep up-to-date on best practices for accessibility, Minnesota State building codes, and ADA guidance and regulations for Titles II and III entities.
• Manage and educate City staff on the City’s ADA grievance procedure and reasonable accommodations process.
• Work with City departments to respond, investigate, and mitigate submitted ADA-related concerns, questions, inquiries, grievances, and complaints; coordinate responses to persons with disabilities requesting support
• Develop and support training for other department staff on Disability Awareness and ADA compliance.
• Represent the City of Minneapolis in strategic partnership and solution strategies for increasing trusted relationships between the disability community and the City of Minneapolis enterprise.
• Represent the City of Minneapolis and serve as the staff person on task forces established by City Council and under-represented communities on issues that impact access and equity for the public and residents with disabilities.
• Engage and establish relationships within the disability community and under-represented communities to enhance knowledge and access of City programs and services.
• Create and maintain open channels of communication between the City of Minneapolis and disability community
• Assist other City departments in making and sustaining relationship connections within under-represented communities; including neighborhood organizations and other community-based organizations
• Assist other City Departments in developing programs and services that support increased access to the disability community and under-represented communities.
• Provide recommendations, strategies and intent of policy development on local and state government levels.
• Provide engagement, recruitment and outreach strategies to other departments to increase access and participation of the under-represented community in government decision making processes.
• Participate in Public Health Emergency Preparedness planning, training, and response as needed and assigned by the department.

Required Qualifications

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience (professional and/or lived ) closely related to the duties of the position will be considered.

Preferred Qualification: ADA Title II Certification, selected candidate to start training and certification process within first year of employment.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Union Representation
This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Professional Employees Association (MPEA). For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: Labor Agreements - City of Minneapolis (minneapolismn.gov)

Eligible List Statement
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire three months after it has been established.

Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, lived experiences and/or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to collaborate with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals and organization leadership from diverse communities.
• Knowledge of ADA Effective Communications regulations and requirements.
• Knowledge of language access issues.
• Strong project management skills; ability to lead and organize multiple projects.
• Ability to participate, collaborate, and/or lead City and/or interagency related projects, systems and tasks; City of Minneapolis Council, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Public Schools and State of Minnesota agencies
• Considerable knowledge of local and state government structure and policies.
• Ability to understand policy and management implications or program issues and make recommendations.
• Tactical planning skills.
• Good knowledge of community engagement principles.
• Ability to foster working relationships between various City departments and local government agencies.
• Ability to research and analyze technical and best practice information, guidance and regulations to make recommendations.
• Strong communications skills.
• Ability to collaborate and work across multiple communities and leadership levels within community.
• Ability to create consensus across diverse populations and solve complex social/community issues.
• Ability to analyze information and make policy recommendations.
• Ability to implement conflict resolution strategies.
• Knowledge of the disability community and values of under-represented communities.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices of engagement, outreach and resident participation.

Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.
Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page.

New 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave.
City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.

Insurance
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

Dental insurance
The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

Benefits
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.

Retirement
City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

• Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
• Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).

Transportation
Eligible City employees may choose to participate in the following transportation programs:

• Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
• Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs-such as qualified parking and van pool expenses-with pre-tax dollars

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Learning and development
To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees.

Other perks
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, the Employee Assistance Program (Download PDF reader), technology discounts and more.