Planner or Senior Planner

About the Department

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.

The Metropolitan Council’s Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail, and commuter trains, as well as a resource 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 Service Development is responsible for planning, analyzing, and scheduling existing and future bus and rail service schedules.  Planners within the Service Development department analyze, develop, recommend, and implement improvements and innovations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Metro Transit and regional transit service. Within the System Planning group, this role will focus on recommending and implementing Transit Advantage projects such as the Better Bus Routes program and bus lanes. 

This posting will establish a six (6) month eligibility pool for current and future openings.

Position Duties

• Planner: 
  • Supports and administers Transit Advantage planning assignments; gathers and analyzes data on assigned projects; and prepares summary reports. Performs a portion of a major project as a team member under general supervision. Examples of projects include Better Bus Routes and bus lane implementations.
  • Coordinates with transitway and roadway projects, including participation in technical working groups, providing input on Transit Advantage elements to be incorporated with a project, and coordinating with internal stakeholders on review of designs.
  • Performs system performance monitoring, including understanding the impact of Transit Advantage projects, developing techniques to perform pre- and post-implementation analysis, and communicating performance information to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Researches, investigates, and surveys available sources for information related to various planning projects.
  • Prepares plans, maps, diagrams and graphs, and drafts staff reports.
  • Collaborate with internal planners and engineers to review roadway projects and design Transit Advantage projects.
  • May act as liaison with interest groups, communities, counties, regional, and state agencies.
  • Provides assistance on technical and procedural aspects of planning.
  • Performs other related duties.
• Senior Planner:  
  • Manages and administers Transit Advantage planning assignments; gathers and analyzes data on assigned projects; and prepares summary reports. Independently leads major projects as a team member with general supervision. Examples of projects include Better Bus Routes and bus lane implementations.
  • Manages elements of the overall Transit Advantages program such as the Better Bus Routes program. Analyze and recommend future projects; prepare budgets and capital improvements program or operating funding requests.
  • Coordinates with transitway and roadway projects, including participation in technical working groups, providing input on Transit Advantage elements to be incorporated with a project, and coordinating with internal stakeholders on review of designs.
  • System performance monitoring, including understanding the impact of Transit Advantage projects, developing techniques to perform pre- and post-implementation analysis, and communicating performance information to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Analyzes and interprets existing policies, plans and implementation programs relating to Transit Advantages.
  • Prepares plans; relates plans to goals and policies and analyzes possible conflicts or contradictions; prepares graphic material and prepares summary reports.
  • Develops scopes of work for various levels pf plans, projects, and guidance documents and manage assigned projects.
  • Act as liaison with interest groups, communities, counties, regional, and state agencies.
  • May oversee the work of lower-level professional planning staff, technicians and student interns on project basis.
  • Performs other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Planner:(Non-Represented Grade G, FLSA Exempt, Full Salary Range: $82,555.20 - $133,972.80 Annually

Any of the following combinations of experience (in city, urban, or environmental planning or related area) and completed education (degree field of study in Urban Planning, Geography, Urban Studies or closely related field):

• A master's degree with one (1) year experience
• A bachelor's degree with three (3) years of experience
• An associate degree with five (5) years of experience
• A high school diploma or GED with seven (7) years of experience

Senior Planner:(Non-Represented Grade H, FLSA Exempt, Full Salary Range: $89,232.00 - $144,830.40 Annually

Any of the following combinations of experience (in city, urban, or environmental planning or related area) and completed education (degree field of study in Urban Planning, Geography, Urban Studies or closely related field):

• A master's degree with two (2) years experience
• A bachelor's degree with four (4) years of experience
• An associate degree with six (6) years of experience
• A high school diploma or GED with eight (8) years of experience

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

• Degree in City, Urban, or Environmental Planning.
• Experience in planning transit/transportation projects.
• Experience with novel data analysis and interpretation using ArcGIS, R, Python, or other software packages.
• Experience and skill in presentations and public speaking with ability to tailor material for different audiences.
• Experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Intermediate skills in MS Word and Excel, ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs, knowledge of GIS highly desirable.
• Knowledge of policy analysis and planning principles, methods, and theory.
• Knowledge of Council policies, practices, and operational procedures (in the policy area relevant to the job).
• Basic knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Council works, as it applies to the policy area of the position.
• Ability to relate responsibilities to policy and planning process.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing, to internal and external stakeholders.
• 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 Council stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret Council policy and apply it effectively in the policy analysis or development process.

What you can expect from us:

1. We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. 
2. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. 
3. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Other Qualifications

Union/Grade: Planner: Non-Represented/Grade G; Senior Planner: Non-Represented/Grade H

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive:  No
 

Work Environment: 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. This position is eligible for hybrid flexibility.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
 

• We review your minimum qualifications. 
• We rate your education and experience. 
• We administer a skills assessment.
• 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 of Criminal Apprehension 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 departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 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 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 [email protected].

Benefits

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

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerMetropolitan CouncilAddress 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101 Website https://metrocouncil.org