Senior Planner - (Small Communities Planning Program)

Senior Planner

The Community Development Division has up to three vacancies for Senior Planner, long-term temporary (up to 2 years), to assist the region's smallest and resource-limited communities with their Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan updates by providing direct technical assistance and plan production under a new Small Communities Planning Program. We are committed to hiring and 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 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. We have set the following goals to guide our work:

• Grow staff capacity and foster an equitable workplace.
• Center equity in process and priorities.
• Foster 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 regional development guide and policy plans, currently titled Imagine 2050. This work unit implements the Act through the Sector Representative Program and reviews comprehensive plans, plan amendments, and environmental reviews that address an array of land use, transportation, housing, parks, natural systems, climate strategies, and other issues. This unit also provides technical assistance for planning 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, land use, geography, natural systems, public health, climate/sustainability, community development, and related backgrounds with values centered on service, relationships, equity, innovation, and accountability. Persons hired for this position will provide essential planning and technical support to some of the region's smallest and most resource-limited communities as they prepare their 2050 Comprehensive Plans. This work will help expand local capacity to lead a planning process grounded in community priorities, while ensuring plans meet minimum plan content requirements and align with regional policies - supporting coordinated growth throughout the region.

Notes: After a period of on-site onboarding, this position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement (remote and on-site). Occasional travel is expected in the seven-county metropolitan region, as well as visits to local government partners, agencies, and other organizational partners as required by the work. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Hiring Salary Range: $88,566 to $119,142 Full Salary Range: $88,566 to $143,707 Please note that while the full salary range is included in this job posting, our anticipated hiring range for these positions is $ 88,566 to $ 119,142. The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity. Additionally, this position offers a generous benefits package. This posting will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

About the Program: The new Small Communities Planning Program will provide direct planning assistance to support some of the smallest communities in the region to update their 2050 Comprehensive Plans. Participating cities and townships will collaborate with Program staff from the Met Council's Local Planning Assistance team to update their local comprehensive plans. Eligible communities reflect those that might have the most limited staff and financial capacity to fund and manage a comprehensive plan update process. The Met Council has allocated resources to serve 29 eligible communities. All eligible communities are anticipated to participate in the Program.

The Program is staffed with a Program Manager, up to three Senior Planners, and three Planner/Associate Planners. The three Senior Planners will be dedicated solely to this Program. The others will be allocated at least part-time to support the Program. Program staff will focus on collecting information, data, and maps; interacting with community representatives; and producing and writing the plan, with a focus on meeting minimum plan content requirements. These local plans are anticipated to be submitted to the Met Council for formal review and action by May 31, 2028.

Local governments will lead the engagement to develop a community vision, set local priorities, and provide the strategic direction to guide the community through the year 2050. A local working group will guide community conversations and engagement and review content prepared by Met Council Program staff for the Comprehensive Plan update.

What You Would Do In This Job

• Serve as a direct point of contact to select local governments on behalf of the Met Council and the Small Communities Planning Program, helping eligible communities update their 2050 comprehensive plans while maintaining responsive, consistent communication throughout the project.
• As a Project Manager, lead development of multiple local comprehensive plans in a fashion similar to a consulting planner, including development of a work plan and schedule, coordination of data collection, assistance in preparation for locally-led public meetings, coordination with consultants and local staff, and facilitation of internal cross-divisional review by Met Council technical staff, as needed.
• Address applicable minimum requirements for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update as identified in the Local Planning Handbook. Use community-specific Minimum Requirements to address land use, housing, transportation, water resources, parks and trails, climate, and natural systems in the comprehensive plan updates.
• Identify and respond to any issues of consistency with Met Council policy, conformance with regional system plans, and compatibility with plans of affected and adjacent jurisdictions towards a determination of "complete for review" by the Met Council.
• Facilitate review and approval of local drafts and public comment responses as well as final Met Council technical review, Committee reviews, and final Council action.
• As a project manager or mentor, may oversee the work of other technical staff, students, or interns.
• Foster a customer service mentality and ensure a high level of service to all stakeholders.
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful professional environment that values lived experiences, culture, and diversity among all stakeholders and colleagues.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

What Education And Experience Are Required For This Job (Minimum Qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of education (degree in geography, urban studies, environmental studies, urban planning, community development, or related field) AND experience in long-range comprehensive planning, land use planning, or plan implementation with a local unit of government, such as a city, county, or township. Must have demonstrated experience in effectively interpreting and communicating complex or technical information to lay audiences.

• Bachelor's degree with four years of experience
• Master's degree with two years of experience

*For all levels of education, at least two (2) years of experience must be in long-range planning with a local unit of government, such as a city, county, or township.

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 community types (preference for small town and rural) on issues like but not limited to land use planning, housing, transportation, climate/natural systems, or similar. Strong preference for special expertise or focus on development of local comprehensive plans.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading/managing projects, coordinating the work of the project team, and delivering work within identified timeframes.
• Writing, production, and implementation of comprehensive plans, small area plans, neighborhood plans, or other similar 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, ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs.
• Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) to gather and manage data and 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 understanding of the historical context of the Council and the people it serves and how the Council can work