Senior Planner

The Metropolitan Councils Community Development Division is accepting applications for

a

Senior Planner

.

More than one position may be filled from this pool of applicants.

After a period of onsite onboarding,

t

his position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement

.

Occasional travel

is expected

between primary Council work sites in the Twin Cities Metro area as well as visits to local government partners, agencies, and other organizational partners as the work requires

.

The 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 is on our website.
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.
We are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The

Community Development

Division is a leader for racial equity within the Council and the region. Our staff, working environment, relationships, and investments reflect our commitment to racial equity.

W

e have set the following goals to guide our work:
G

row staff

capacity

and foster

an equitable

workplace

.

C

enter equity in process and priorities.

F

oster trusting relationships and deep collaboration.

Local Planning Assistance

leads the Council's implementation of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act as well as the development and implementation of the metropolitan development guide and policy plans. This work unit implements the Act through the Sector Representative Program and reviews comprehensive plans, amendments to those plans, and environmental reviews, which deal with an array of land use, transportation, housing, parks, natural

systems

, resilience strategies, and other issues. This unit also provides planning technical

assistance

to Metropolitan Council Members and communities in the local implementation of regional policies.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities Region:

Persons in this position will join a collaborative team from various planning, geography, natural

systems

,

public health,

legal, and related backgrounds with values centered on

service, relationships, equity, innovation, and accountability

.
Persons in this position will:
a

pply local planning and policy

expertise

in support of the development and implementation of the regional development guide (currently Thrive MSP 2040) and Regional Systems and Policy Plans

.

a

pply local government experience

and

build

long-standing relationships with Metropolitan

Council Members and local government representatives.

be part of

a collaborative

team developing land use policy that guides the growth and development of the region

as a part of the next regional development guide,

Imagine

2050

, advising

on

the intersections of

land use

with

the

regional system and policy areas

,

and

how land use is

integrated

in and accounted for in

the

regional system plans.

d

evelop resources and technical

assistance

tools

related to

a variety of planning topics like

land use, density, community engagement, equity, and others

in local planning and implementation.

c

ontribute to

and

facilitate

review of

local

comprehensive plans, comprehensive plan amendments, environmental reviews, and other

types of

planning

reviews.

grow

capacity;

f

oster

an equitable

workplace

; c

enter equity in process and priorities

; and f

oster trusting relationships and deep collaboration

.

Note: The salary displayed is the full salary range. The hiring salary will be determined based

on the final candidate's qualifications, the Council's internal pay structures, and our total compensation package for the position.
A

ct

as a

liaison

to local units of government

as a Sector Representative

to

:

c

oordinat

e

meetings, presentations, and

disseminat

e

Council policies

s

erv

e

as a conduit of information to the Council on issues and opportunities in the region from a local government perspective

p

rovid

e

technical

assistance

to local units of government

in coordination with internal staff from other divisions

to enable

local staff

to implement comprehensive plans

and

further Council goals

establish cooperative and long-standing relationships with local government and community partners, and other stakeholders

Coordinate

cross-divisional

review of local comprehensive plans, amendments, environmental reviews, and other

s

to

:

a

pply Council policies to specific situations and

identify

issues

e

stablish cooperative relationships with personnel across all divisions of the Council

m

eet with principals to the reviews (such as local government officials and staff, developers, citizens,

and

Council Members) to share

points of view

,

identify

problems, and resolve differences

a

nalyze policy impacts, negotiate

a

resolution of conflicts, and present staff reports and recommendations to the Council and its committees

Communicate daily with

Council members,

local staff, officials, developers, federal and state agencies, and members of the public

regarding

specific review issues and Council policies.

Represent the Council with external agencies and organizations as it relates to areas of assigned responsibility such as reviews, Council policy, and as a land use subject matter expert.

Foster

a

customer service mentality and ensure

a high level

of service to all stakeholders.

Participate in the development of policy assessments, reports, and regional plans and policies. Relate plans to guiding statutes and Council goals.

Develop scopes of work for various plans, projects, and guidance documents and manage assigned projects which may include

cross-divisional coordination

using project management principles

.

As a project manager or mentor, may oversee the work of other technical staff, students, or interns

.

Develop technical

assistance

resources for local governments in cooperation with team members to support local comprehensive planning and implementation efforts.

Promote

an equitable

, positive, and respectful professional environment that values

lived experiences,

culture

,

and diversity among all stakeholders and colleagues.

Specialize or use advanced experience

in

a

specific

planning

area,

depending

on a

match between a

candidates qualifications

and

the

work units need for

specialized

exper

ience

in policy development and delivery of technical

assistance

.

Potential

areas

include

community engagement, equitable development,

natural

systems and ecology

, housing, water resources, or other related areas.

Other related duties, as assigned.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in

geography, urban studies, environmental studies, urban and regional planning, community development

,

or a related field ) and experience (in planning-related area):
Bachelor's degree with four years of experience*
Master's degree with two years of experience*
* At least two years of experience

must be

in development review and permitting, ordinance writing, planning implementation, or long-range planning

with a local unit of government

, such as a city, county, or township

.

Must have

d

emonstrated

experience effectively interpreting and communicating complex or technical information to lay audiences.
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
Six or more years of planning-related professional experience with a

strong

preference for

local government experience working for, or on behalf of, a city as the staff planner or planning consultant

.

Experience working with a range of communities (preference for suburban and rural) on issues

like, but not limited to, land use,

natural

systems

and ecology, equitable development,

and

community

engagement

.

Strong preference for s

pecial

expertise

or focus in one of these areas.

Demonstrated experience in successfully leading/managing projects, coordinating the work of the project team, and completing deliverables within allotted

timeframes

.

Demonstrated experience in developing innovative community engagement initiatives, trust-building

with underrepresented stakeholders

,

successful meeting facilitation, or planning efforts that effectively engaged diverse populations and can include leadership

or project lead

roles as a community organizer, volunteer, or other strategic collaboration experience

.

Implementation of comprehensive plans, small area plans, neighborhood plans, or other initiatives

.

Racial and social equity experience and/or training along with a demonstrated ability, or growth

capacity

, to

participate

in conversations about race and equity, as well as identify opportunities

to integrate equity initiatives

meaningfully

into the work.

Advanced skills in MS Word and Excel, and ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs.

Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) to perform geographic analysis

.

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or a demonstrated, sustained commitment to learning within the field of policy and planning.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
Basic knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council works.

Knowledge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and the regional planning role the Metropolitan Council plays in relationship to local governments.

Clear u

nderstanding of the historical context of the Council and the people it serves and how the Council can work to acknowledge, repair, and reduce regional

racial

disparities.

Extensive knowledge of Council policies, practices, and operational procedures.

Extensive knowledge of policy analysis and planning principles, methods, and

theory

.

Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply the policy guidelines of the Council.

Ability to

establish

and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders.

Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply Council policy effectively in the policy analysis or development process.

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 onsite training and external professional development opportunities; tuition reimbursement may be available.

We encourage and support staff in bringing the full range of experiences and identities that define them to the workplace.

We encourage and support staff in contributing to a dynamic work culture that improves the Councils ability to serve the region and strives to effectively support all employees.

We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and

a good work

/life balance.

We offer the ability to set a flexible work schedule and work remotely/telework when workload and work scope allows.

More about why you should join us
Union/Grade:

AFSCME / Grade H

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Safety Sensitive:

No
What your work environment would be:

Work is performed in a standard office setting with hybrid telework options available. Occasional travel between primary Council work sites in the Twin Cities Metro area as well as visits to local government partners, agencies, and other organizational partners as the work requires. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
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 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.

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-CCHealth@metc.state.mn.us .

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