Associate Planner or Planner

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, employing more than 3,200 people and provides millions of 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:

Planners within the Facilities Planning & Administration Department's Planning and Urban Design Team are responsible for planning capital improvements and guiding urban design for transit facilities. Transit facilities include physical assets such as accessible boarding areas, bus shelters, park & rides, transit centers, rail stations, bicycle parking, and support facilities (e.g., bus garages). They are expected to prepare long-range facility plans and policies; interpret designs and site plans; synthesize complex information into summaries and recommendations; and analyze and interpret data informing facility planning needs. Having a regionally based knowledge of transit operations, facility planners represent Metro Transit in coordinated transit planning activities. Collaborating with interested stakeholders, they ensure that planned facilities are consistent with regional policy and agency plans. The position will be filled either as an Associate Planner or Planner, based on a review of candidate qualifications.

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

Associate Planner:

• Coordinates bus stop capital planning and tracking improvements to bus stops systemwide.
• Maintains data, GIS tools, and PowerBI tools.
• Prepares plans, charts, reports, presentations, and other documents as a team member or performs portions individually under close supervision, specific to the area of assignment.
• Assists higher level planners by securing information and analyzing, compiling, and interpreting data in the field of planning.
• Produces maps and plans by conducting GIS analysis of transit and planning issues.
• Assists higher level planners in scoping transit facility improvement projects.
• Coordinates reviews and prepares comments on roadway designs and development site plans impacting transit stops and facilities.
• Performs other related duties.

Planner:

• Coordinates bus stop capital planning and tracking improvements to bus stops systemwide.
• Maintains data, GIS tools, and PowerBI tools.
• Leads planning studies or projects and organizes teams specific to these project areas.
• Analyzes, compiles, and interprets data for planning purposes.
• Produces maps and plans by conducting GIS analysis of transit and planning issues.
• Develops project scopes for transit stops and facility improvement projects.
• Applies knowledge of local government planning practices, methods and principles to the implementation of Council policies and practices.
• Coordinates review and prepares comments for complex roadway designs and development site plans impacting transit stops and facilities.
• Acts as key liaison to community and stakeholder groups related to capital projects and planning initiatives.
• Conducts technical assignments and review. Prepares staff reports, written analysis, and presents project updates.

Associate Planner:

Any of the following combinations of related experience in urban planning or related field, and completed education in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies or a closely related field.

• High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of work experience.
• Associate degree and two (2) years of work experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

Planner:

Any of the following combinations of related experience in urban planning or related field, and completed education in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies or a closely related field.

• High school diploma or GED and seven (7) years of work experience.
• Associate degree in and five (5) years of work experience.
• Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of work experience.
• Master's degree or higher, and one (1) year of work experience.

• Experience with data management and analysis in Excel, GIS desktop and web mapping, and BI reporting tools (Power BI).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of transit operations and transit capital planning.

• Experience reviewing or interpreting roadway or urban design plans, or site plans.
• Experience participating in a planning or urban design project with multiple stakeholders.
• Skilled at using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data for planning purposes (preferably transit operations and transit capital project planning).
• Desire to learn and/or knowledge of the geography and transit system of the Twin Cities.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of transit operations and transit capital project planning.
• Knowledge of or aptitude to learn the geography and transit system of the Twin Cities.
• Skilled at critical thinking and problem solving.
• Skilled at written and verbal communication.
• Skilled at providing presentations and public speaking with the ability to tailor material for different audiences.
• Ability to stay organized and pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to perform technical analysis.
• Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and maintain effective working relationships with other members of a multidisciplinary team and all Council stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret Council policy and apply it effectively in the policy analysis or development process.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse communities through cultural competency knowledge.

• 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 and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
• More about why you should join us!

Associate Planner:
Union/Pay Grade: Non-Represented / Pay Grade E
Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $32.96-$53.50 Hourly |$68,556.80 - $111,280.00 Annually

Planner:
Union/Grade: Non-Represented / Pay Grade G
Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $38.53-$62.53 Hourly | $80,142.40 - $130,062.40 Annually

What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard office setting. Position is required to work at outdoor events in various weather conditions. Travel between primary worksite and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
You must qualify at each of the numbered steps below to be considered a final candidate for the job.

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. 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-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.