WHO WE ARE

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. 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 on our website.

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

Communications provides writing, editing, graphic design, and video production services; facilitates relations with a wide range of news media; provides information content, design, and organizational framework for the Metropolitan Council’s public-facing website; and maintains an ongoing presence on social media.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Social Media Specialist is responsible for creating and monitoring content for the Met Council's social media channels. This position plays a key role in implementing the strategy and tactics that help meet our social media goals of increased awareness of the Met Council, education on issues, and engagement and action.

Starting Salary Range: $66,747 - $78,000
Full Salary Range: $66,747 - $100,755

What you would do in this job

• Participate in planning with stakeholders to determine target audiences and develop user-friendly, accessible, and timely content for the Met Council’s presence on social media platforms, including organization-wide Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Flickr accounts as well as project-specific accounts.
• Convert key messages and existing longer-form content into standalone posts as well as campaigns as appropriate. Collaborate with other content creators on posts that highlight accomplishments, educate about organizational initiatives, encourage participation, and provide project updates.
• Coordinate with design team to create social media graphics and source images and video.
• Post social media ads and report on campaign results.
• Review metrics for posts and campaigns, using data to improve efforts.
• Monitor for social media chatter about the organization, and respond to questions (with input from subject matter experts) as needed.
• Research trends in channels, post styles, hashtags, etc., and identify opportunities for growth and process improvement.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field AND a minimum of two years of experience in managing multiple social media channels for a professional organization

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

• Experience using social media tools to engage with multiple and diverse audiences and cultivate new followers
• Experience applying accessibility standards and best practices for social media
• Basic photo editing experience
• Basic video production experience
• Experience with social media advertising and analytics
• Experience working for a government agency or large nonprofit

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have:

• Knowledge of how to use social media as an effective means of positioning organizational mission, values, and accomplishments
• Excellent writing skills, including attention to detail and an ability to maintain a consistent voice through social media interactions
• Excellent editing skills for translating content provided by subject matter experts using social media best practices, including the use of plain language and accessibility
• Basic design software skills for creating graphics within organizational templates
• Ability to multitask to manage multiple topics and campaigns simultaneously, sometimes under tight deadlines

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.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees/Grade F
FLSA Status: Non-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:

• 
  We review your minimum qualifications and work samples.
• 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. 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 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 .

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources