Planner or Senior Planner - Minneapolis, United States - Metropolitan Council

Description

WHO WE ARE

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.

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 ridership 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:

Service Development is responsible for planning, analyzing and scheduling existing and future bus and rail service schedules. At various levels 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 that support established regional transit policies and guidelines designed to increase ridership, reduce costs and balance route productivity and coverage.

A Planner performs the full range of planning functions under general supervision:

• Conducts basic technical assignments and review.
• Prepares staff reports and other written analysis.
• Works independently with minimal supervision.

A Senior Planner serves as a project manager in medium-sized projects related to areas of research and analysis of data for the preparation and presentation of transit studies. This is the broadly experienced level, which functions as a project lead under general supervision with minimal instruction.

• Projects are routine to moderate in difficulty and assignments are made in terms of general concepts with assigned responsibility for the development and carrying out of the project, using considerable judgement needed to determine the approach and methods.
• Performs a variety of technical reviews.
• Interprets and applies relevant policies and regulations.
• Works closely with local stakeholders.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Ranges:
Planner - Grade G = $36.87/hr. or $76,690/yr. to $41.85/hr. or $87,048/yr.
Senior Planner - Grade H = $39.86/hr. or $82,909/yr. to $45.24/hr. or $94,099/yr.

Full Salary Ranges:
Planner - Grade G = $36.87/hr. or $76,690/yr. to $59.84/hr. or $124,467/yr.
Senior Planner - Grade H = $39.86/hr. or $82,909/yr. to $64.69/hr. or $134,555/yr.
** 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. **

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

This position will establish a six-month eligible list for current and future positions.
What you would do in this job

Planner:

• Supports and administers 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.
• Researches, investigates and surveys available sources for information related to various planning projects.
• Formulates project plans to administer project funding.
• Prepares plans, maps, diagrams and graphs and drafts staff reports.
• Participates on review committees
• Develops a shared mobility/on-demand pilot project.
• May act as liaison with interest groups, communities, counties, regional, and state agencies.
• Give advice to local government staff on agency planning programs.
• Provides assistance on technical and procedural aspects of planning.
• Performs other related duties.

Senior Planner:

• Analyzes existing policies, plans and implementation programs in the subject area.
• Prepares plans; relates plans to goals and policies and analyzes possible conflicts or contradictions; prepares graphic material and prepares summary reports.
• Uses statistical techniques for the analysis of demographic data; analyzes the validity and comparability of data from several sources.
• Provides data as requested for any of the planning studies and programs.
• Coordinates and participates in the organization and analysis of census data.
• 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.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Planner: Non-Represented Plan, Grade G, FLSA Exempt

Any of the following combinations of experience in planning or public administration and completed education in city, urban, or environmental planning or closely related field:

• High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience in planning or public administration.
• Associate's degree with five (5) years of experience in planning or public administration.
• Bachelor's degree or higher with three (3) years of experience in planning or public administration.

Senior Planner: Non-Represented Plan, Grade H, FLSA Exempt

Any of the following combinations of experience in planning or public administration or closely related field and completed education in city, urban, or environmental planning or closely related field:

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience in planning or public administration.
• Associate's degree with six (6) years of experience in planning or public administration.
• Bachelor's degree or higher with four (4) years of experience in planning or public administration.

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

• Experience using GIS tools to display information and conduct analysis, preferably on transit/transportation projects.
• Exposure to transit planning tools (Remix, local-based data).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of transit/transportation planning for local routes, commuter routes, BRT, and microtransit.
• Experience as a regular transit user.
• Experience in planning, analyzing, and interpreting data for transit/transportation projects.
• Experience and skill in presentations and public speaking with ability to tailor material for different audiences.
• Experience promoting a respectful workplace that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.
• 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.
• Ability to interact directly with riders and the general public.

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.

Additional information

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites. This position may require work in outdoor weather conditions. May also work around moderate noise (i.e., computer printers, light traffic, work discussions).

What steps the recruitment process involves:

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 background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. 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 background check which verifies education and employment.

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 .