Director Workforce Development Jobs in Minnesota

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.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

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

The Director, Operations Training & Workforce Development, will lead the creation of unified operations training, onboarding, workforce development, and employee readiness team. This position will be the strategic leader in bringing together these functions within one team, while ensuring a close connection to the teams and people they serve. The position ensures operations employees are prepared, qualified, and developed to safely and effectively deliver transit services, and that the operations team has a high-quality and consistent training and workforce development arm throughout the team
This role oversees operational training programs, onboarding systems, apprenticeship pathways, leadership development initiatives, and workforce advancement strategies supporting Metro Transit's long-term operational and workforce needs.
The Director ensures training and workforce development programs align with operational priorities, labor agreements, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and organizational goals while promoting workforce sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Create a Unified Operations Training and Workforce Development Team

• Operations training and workforce functions exist throughout operations-maintenance, transportation, materials management, facilities and more
• As Metro Transit continues to grow in size and complexity, there is a plan to unify these teams to ensure a cohesive, best-in-class training and workforce development team
• This will require strategy, vision, communication, change management and organizational development experience.

• Lead enterprise-wide operations training programs supporting safe, compliant, and effective workforce performance.
• Develop and implement training strategies, standards, policies, and curriculum for operations, maintenance, facilities, onboarding, and leadership development programs.
• Evaluate training effectiveness using operational data, workforce outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry regulations including FTA, FRA, OSHA, EPA, and CDL requirements.
• Lead modernization of training systems and instructional methods including simulation technology, learning management systems, and blended learning strategies.
• Partner with internal partners to align training and workforce development programs with organizational needs.

• Direct onboarding and workforce readiness programs for operations employees including operators, technicians, facilities staff, supervisors, and leaders.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition and operational leadership to forecast hiring needs and coordinate onboarding and training schedules.
• Ensure onboarding materials, qualification standards, and safety information remain accurate and current.
• Oversee qualification tracking, readiness assessments, recertification requirements, and training documentation systems.
• Evaluate and improve onboarding processes to support employee preparedness and operational readiness.
• Support operational staffing and workforce readiness through effective onboarding and training coordination.

Lead Workforce Development and Employee Advancement Strategies

• Develop and implement workforce development strategies supporting employee development, succession planning, and workforce sustainability.
• Oversee workforce development programs including apprenticeships, mentoring, internships, certifications, career pathways, and leadership development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, labor partners, and operational leadership to identify workforce needs and implement employee development solutions.
• Establish employee advancement pathways and leadership pipelines supporting workforce retention and organizational growth.
• Partner with educational institutions, workforce agencies, and community organizations to support workforce pipelines and recruitment initiatives.
• Evaluate workforce development programs to ensure effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals and labor agreements.

• Maintain systems supporting employee qualifications, certifications, recertifications, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of training curriculum, instructional methods, training programs, and instructor performance.
• Partner with Safety and operational departments to integrate safety protocols and regulatory requirements into training programs.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for the division.
• Oversee training facilities, vehicles, simulators, equipment, instructional technology, and other division assets.
• Respond to regulatory audits, reviews, and compliance inquiries and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Ensure Compliance, Safety, and Resource Management

• Maintain systems supporting employee qualifications, certifications, recertifications, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of training curriculum, instructional methods, training programs, and instructor performance.
• Partner with Safety and operational departments to integrate safety protocols and regulatory requirements into training programs.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for the division.
• Oversee training facilities, vehicles, simulators, equipment, instructional technology, and other division assets.
• Respond to regulatory audits, reviews, and compliance inquiries and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Lead Cross-Agency Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with Operations leadership, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Talent Acquisition, Safety, Equity & Inclusion, and Technology departments on workforce and training initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to align workforce development strategies with organizational priorities and operational needs.
• Serve as Metro Transit's subject matter expert on operational training, workforce readiness, and employee development strategies.
• Provide reports, presentations, recommendations, and strategic updates to leadership and organizational stakeholders.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with labor partners, educational institutions, workforce agencies, and industry organizations.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement through modern training technologies, operational data, and industry best practices.

Any of the following combinations of experience and completed education (degree field of study in or closely related field:

• High school diploma/GED with thirteen (13) years of experience, including five (5) years or more of experience of supervisory experience

• Associate degree with eleven (11) years of experience, including five (5) year of experience or more supervisory experience of supervisory experience

• Bachelor's degree with nine (9) years of experience, including five (5) year of experience or more supervisory experience of supervisory experience

• Master's degree or higher with seven (7) or more years of related experience, including five (5) or more years of supervisory experience

• Industry training certifications (e.g., transit safety or instructor certifications) preferred.
• Extensive transit industry experience

• Operations training principles, adult learning methodologies, and instructional design practices.
• Federal, state, and industry safety regulations including FTA, FRA, OSHA, EPA, CDL, and other regulatory requirements.
• Workforce development strategies, apprenticeship programs, career pathway development, and succession planning practices.
• Organizational development, leadership development, and change management principles.
• Data analysis, program evaluation methodologies, performance metrics, and continuous improvement practices.
• Budget development, financial management, procurement processes, and contract administration.
• Learning management systems, simulation technology, and modern instructional delivery methods.

• Executive-level leadership, supervision, coaching, and staff development.
• Curriculum development, instructional delivery, facilitation, and workforce training program management.
• Strategic planning, organizational analysis, and operational problem-solving.
• Budget management, resource allocation, and vendor and contract oversight.
• Building collaborative partnerships and engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Written and verbal communication, executive presentations, and organizational reporting.
• Analyzing operational data and using performance metrics to improve workforce and training outcomes.

• Create and lead large, diverse teams and foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Develop and implement long-term workforce development, apprenticeship, and employee advancement strategies.
• Interpret and apply complex operational, regulatory, labor, and safety requirements.
• Lead organizational change and implement innovative workforce and training solutions.
• Balance strategic priorities with operational and workforce needs.
• Resolve complex operational, personnel, training, and organizational issues using sound judgment and decision-making.
• Promote workforce readiness, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the organization.

Union(s): Non-Rep, Grade M
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

• Office-based
• Periodic after-hours and weekend availability for hiring and training events, incident escalations or major service disruptions

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We request your Work Record Evaluation (ATU employees only)
• 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 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.

PD/TCC postings that require fingerprinting:
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. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau ofCriminalApprehension in order to be a user of their CJIS system. Failure to be cleared by BCA will automatically nullify any job offer extended. 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