Senior Researcher

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 long-range planning efforts; planning and technical assistance to local governments; planning for and funding the regional parks and open space system; delivering rent assistance through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and delivering the Livable Communities Act grant programs.

The Community Development Research department collects, disseminates, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data about demographic trends and inequities, development patterns, climate change, parks visitation, long-range forecasts, and the regional economy. We believe research can improve the lives of residents in our region and see our skills, creativity, and platforms as resources to further shared understanding about regional issues that matter.

This position is part of the Strategy and Product Design team, a specialized group within the research department. We center people, integrate equity, and transform technical into accessible through-and by-design. We serve as an in-house information design and user experience (UX) consultancy for the division's regional planning departments in addition to maintaining a portfolio of applied research projects.

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

The Senior Researcher will directly support the research department's mission to provide relevant, timely, and accessible data about the Twin Cities region to the public and organization. This is not a typical government research position, however. All team members are skilled information designers and trained in user experience (UX) design principles and product thinking to build and support digital experiences.

The Senior Researcher will use their strong quantitative skills to carry out applied research about the region's people and places, generating internal data assets (like outcomes-focused measures) and well-designed, public content. Further, this position will play an integral role in delivering and managing digital products. Generally, this work involves: 1) contributing to the team's user experience research (UXR) program by conducting interviews, facilitating usability testing, and writing data collection tools like surveys; and/or 2) the hands-on development of web-based interactive applications using tools like Tableau, R Shiny, and ESRI GIS.

The initial balance of these responsibilities will be based on the Senior Researcher's experience. The best-qualified candidate will have a solid foundation in applied quantitative or mixed-method research, and demonstrable communication and design skills that they've used to effectively share research with diverse audiences.

*This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

• Lead and/or coordinate applied research projects in partnership with policy, planning, and research staff: define objectives, determine methods, analyze data and validate findings, and share results with internal project teams and external audiences.
• Apply data visualization best practices to translate complex research concepts and findings into usable, accessible static and interactive digital content for diverse audiences.
• Conduct user experience research, such as writing primary data collection instruments (interview protocols, surveys), facilitating virtual feedback sessions, coding qualitative data, and deriving relevant insights to inform product design.
• Use programming languages like R, Python, or SQL to access the division's data assets and perform accurate and reliable data analyses; document results using shared practices of the division's data platform.
• Build or advance skills in creating web-based interactive tools and/or web content using Tableau, Power BI, R Shiny, ESRI ArcGIS Online and Enterprise Portal, and other software/tools as required.
• Develop or deepen an understanding of product management and user experience (UX) design principles.
• Engage with relevant communities of practice; exchange knowledge with peers to advance the team's capacity to provide relevant resources and consultation.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Social Sciences such as sociology, geography, or economics; Urban Studies, Public Policy, Applied Mathematics, Data Science or related field); AND experience (including applied social science research; advanced data analysis and statistical modeling; information design, data visualization and/or technical communications or content strategy; and/or developing web-based, interactive applications or similar digital products):

• High school diploma/GED and eight (8) years of experience
• Associate degree and six (6) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience
• Master's degree and two (2) years of experience
• Doctorate (PhD) degree

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

• Experience working with public sector datasets (like U.S. Census data, for example) and/or Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) regional datasets.
• Intermediate programming skills in SQL, R, and/or Python for statistical modeling, data analysis, and/or data visualization.
• Experience working in racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.
• Experience with visual design tools such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Canva, etc.
• Experience conveying complex research to non-technical audiences through writing, presentations, and/or data visualization.
• Consulting experience or similar client-focused roles that involve soliciting and incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience with Tableau, Datawrapper, Flourish, and/or equivalent software used to create interactive charts and maps.

What is the knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six (6) months on the job:

Knowledge of:

• The Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota region, including its geographic, planning, and data landscapes.
• User experience or human-centered design principles and practices.
• Qualitative methods (generative and evaluative) used in user experience research.
• Web accessibility requirements for various content types.
• Product management.

Skilled in:

• Advanced statistical modeling and data analysis; optimizing quantitative methods for validity and reliability.
• Lead applied research projects to fulfill data requests and program needs, navigating ambiguity as needed.
• Data visualization and/or visual analytics.
• Written communication, including the ability to convey complex research concepts, methods, and findings for non-technical audiences.
• Programming and scripting language skills, including proficient SQL, R, and Python.
• Prioritizing tasks and adapting to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines to meet concurrent deadlines with strong attention to detail.

Ability to:

• Learn new work styles, software/tools, and research strategies to design, develop, and deliver digital products.
• Deliver internal training and information sessions that advance team objectives.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity.
• Work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment of internal stakeholders and product users.

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.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured in-person panel interview.
• We conduct a selection virtual interview.
  
  

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only) and 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 drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and 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.