Planning Analyst/ Sr. Planner, Regional Housing Policy

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.

Metropolitan Council's Community Development Division is seeking to hire two (2) Planning Analysts or Senior Planners. The finalists for these positions will be selected based on their qualifications and the candidate pool. The position will be in St. Paul, Minnesota.

About the Division:
The Community Development division is responsible for the Council's regional growth strategy, planning, and technical assistance to local communities, parks, and open spaces, as well as Livable Communities grants to local governments. Additionally, it oversees the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA).

These are new roles on the Housing Policy and Livable Communities team, which is responsible for two primary areas of work: implementing Livable Communities Act grant programs and developing and implementing regional housing policies.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Planning Analyst/Senior Planner for Regional Housing Policy is a senior individual contributor role, managing projects to advance the implementation of innovative housing planning and policy initiatives. Working collaboratively with public sector partners and others throughout the region, the position will manage a grant-funded program to change long-term market conditions and break down policy and practice barriers to affordable housing development. The position will also support the implementation of the Imagine 2050 Housing Policy Plan with local governments throughout the Twin Cities region and work to align regional housing policy, programs, and planning efforts with Livable Communities Act grantmaking.
At the Planning Analyst level, this position will serve as a leader, coordinating the work of project teams. At the Senior Planner level, this position will serve as an individual project manager.
The ideal candidate will possess substantial knowledge of affordable housing topics and experience in at least two of the following areas: development finance, local government, regional planning, project management, and technical assistance.

Senior Planner/ Grade H
Any of the following combinations of education (degree field of study in City, Urban, or Environmental Planning, or a related field) and experience in program administration, implementation, public sector planning, grant coordination, land use planning, housing policy, community development, economic development, or a related field.

• A high school diploma/GED AND eight (8) years of experience.

• An Associate degree AND six (6) years of experience.

• A Bachelor's degree AND four (4) years of related experience.

• Master's degree AND two (2) years of related experience.
  

Planning Analyst / Grade I
Any of the following combinations of education (degree field of study in City, Urban, or Environmental Planning , or a related field) and experience in program administration, implementation, public sector planning, grant coordination, land use planning, housing policy, community development, economic development, or a related field. Note: Total experience must include at least two (2) years of working in a project manager or team lead capacity.

• A high school diploma or GED AND nine (9) years of experience.

• Associate AND seven (7) years of experience.

• A Bachelor's degree AND five (5) years of experience.

Master's degree AND three (3) years of related experience. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Experience with affordable rental and ownership housing development, community-focused real estate development projects, placemaking, community economic development, transit-oriented development, and/or development finance.

• Experience in assessing, implementing, or advocating for racial equity policies or programs in housing-related, community development. or grant program context.

• Experience in implementing or developing technical assistance and training tools, planning documents, grant/loan programs, or policies for municipalities to advance goals related to housing, connected communities, and equitable development.

• Experience in urban and regional planning and policy related to housing development, affordable housing, and land use topics.

• Demonstrated experience in applying equity principles in policymaking and grant programs, processes, and decision-making.

• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

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

• Extensive knowledge of the Imagine 2050 Housing Policy Plan and the Livable Communities Act programs.

• Expert knowledge of the policy and funding landscape for affordable housing in the Twin Cities region and/or in the region.

• Knowledge of institutional racism and the historically different impact of public investments on communities of color.

• Knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council operates, as it pertains to the Livable Communities programs and local and regional housing policies.

• Knowledge of the Twin Cities region and existing city relationships.

• Ability to analyze and interpret the Metropolitan Council Imagine 2050 goals and apply them effectively in the project analysis and/or development process.

• Knowledge of institutional racism and the historically different impact of public investments on communities of color.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with a wide variety of internal and external partners to address regional goals, navigating ambiguity and identifying creative approaches.

• Ability to successfully lead and manage projects, coordinate the work of project teams, and complete deliverables within allotted timeframes.

• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.

• Skills in Persuasive communication, both orally and in writing, including the ability to influence, instruct, and negotiate with others to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action.

• Ability to negotiate, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with local governments and development partners

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret funding applications and legal documents.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft suite and knowledge of project management tools.

• Skill in collaborating with a diverse range of internal and external partners, addressing regional goals, navigating ambiguity, and identifying creative solutions.
  What you can expect from us:
  We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
  We encourage employees to develop skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
  We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

Union: AFSCME/GRADE H (Senior Planner)
FLSA: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $41.34 to $67.08 hourly/ $85,987 -$139,526 annually

Union: AFSCME/Grade I (Planning Analyst)
FLSA: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $44.72 -$72.53 hourly / $93,018 -$150,862 annually