Metropolitan Council

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 is on our website. 

The Metropolitan Council’s Metropolitan Transportation Services Division and Community Development Division are accepting applications for a Principal Financial Analyst within our Finance and Administration Department.

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

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

The Principal Financial Analyst performs a variety of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) activities including budgeting, forecasting, building financial models, cash flow projections, performing research, and financial analysis. Leads projects and addresses requests from the Legislature and conducts financial analysis to inform RFP selection and regional and federal reports. Provides ongoing monitoring of the division’s operating and capital budgets and develops monthly performance reports and quarterly budget amendments. Serves as a liaison across Council divisions and with external stakeholders. Participates in the development of financial policies and procedures. Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees. 

The Finance and Administration Department leads financial strategy, budget development, and grant management for both the Community Development and Metropolitan Transportation Services operating divisions. Persons in this position will join a collaborative team of 14 people from various operating and capital budget, policy, and grant management backgrounds with values centered in service, relationships, equity, innovation, and accountability. The team is collectively responsible for managing over a $1B capital program, $340M annual operating and passthrough budget, and a $500M grant portfolio.

Metropolitan Transportation Services conducts planning for the regional transportation system that includes highways, transit, aviation, freight, and bicycle and pedestrian connections. The Metropolitan Council is the region’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization. MTS also provides direct transit service through contracts or partnerships with counties to deliver four major programs: Metro Mobility/ADA, Transit Link dial-a-ride, contracted regular-route bus service, and Metro Vanpool.

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.

Note: The salary indicated in this posting is the full salary range for the position. The final hiring salary will be determined based on the finalists' qualifications, our internal pay structure, and benefits. Please complete the education, work history, and responses to the supplemental questions AND attach a resume.

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

What you would do in this job

• Develop, track, and monitor the Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) and Community Development (CD) divisions' annual operating budgets.
• Lead financial analysis projects, including developing forecasting models, addressing requests from the Legislature, RFP selection, and regional and federal reporting requirements.
• Provide oversight and direction to more junior team members who assist with preparing budget and forecasting support files.
• Responsible for the annual budget planning process for assigned area(s) and develops quarterly operating performance reports and quarterly budget amendments.
• Collaborate on capital budgets and 6-year capital improvement plans.
• Work in a cross-functional setting, which involves direct communication and partnership with executives and financial analyst staff members to develop complex financial models. 
• Analyze data and prepare reports based on analysis and regional financial policy.
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees. 
• Evaluate procedures, practices, and standards for impact on equity.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with all external and internal governmental laws, policies, and standards, including, but not limited to, federal, state, and Metropolitan Council standards and GAAP standards. 
• Foster a customer service mentality and ensure a high level of service to all stakeholders requiring timely and accurate financial information. 
• Work closely with all team members, ensuring best practices and providing help where needed or requested.

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

Education/Experience: 

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, public administration or related field AND five years of progressive responsibility in budget development and financial analysis.

OR

Master's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, public administration, or directly related field AND three years of progressive responsibility in budget development and financial analysis.

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

• Experience developing complex or large budgets.
• Experience preparing reports, executive summaries, and preparing presentations.
• Experience analyzing financial statements and performing budget to actual variance analysis. 
• Experience developing forecasting models to examine future financial performance. 
• Demonstrated ability to promote and support an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.
• Experience in project management, leading advanced ad hoc financial analysis, and addressing financial requests from the Legislature.
• Experience working with principles and practices of accounting and internal controls. 

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to have to be successful in this job: 

• Knowledge of budget development and administration principles, practices, and procedures. 
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of accounting and internal controls. 
• Skills in developing and utilizing forecasting models for accurate, fast, flexible budget variance and forecasting. 
• Skills in clarifying, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls. 
• Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to present clear and concise reports, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to utilize forecasting models for accurate, fast, flexible budget variance and forecasting. 
• Ability to quickly prioritize and act on requests for information.
• Ability to work independently and use sound judgment to escalate issues to the manager. 
• Ability to develop and enforce established policy/procedures and internal controls. 
• Ability to foster a customer service mentality to ensure a high level of service to all internal.

What you can expect from us:

• 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.
• An organization committed to promoting and supporting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union(s): AFSCME Grade I

FLSA Status: 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 does the recruitment process involve: 

• 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 completed the steps above, then: 

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment. 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 relate to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. 

As an existing employee of the Metropolitan Council, you are required to undergo a drug test when transitioning from a non-safety-sensitive position to one that is safety-sensitive. Additionally, a criminal background check is mandatory if the position applied for is safety-sensitive, involves supervisory or managerial responsibilities, is within the Finance, Information Services, or Human Resources departments, or entails access to financial records, 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, 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

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