Senior Planner, (Water Planning) Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/metrocouncil/jobs/newprint/4785522) Apply  Senior Planner, (Water Planning) Salary See Position Description Location 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN Job Type Full-Time Job Number 2024-00305 Division Environmental Services Department Water Resources Opening Date 01/10/2025 Closing Date 1/24/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions WHO WE ARE We are theMetropolitan 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. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx) We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Environmental Services (ES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. ES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. ES received a Governor’s Award as a Great Place to Work. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: As aSenior Planner in Water Planning, you will play a vital role in leading and supporting the surface water and groundwater planning efforts by the Council to ensure the sustainability, reliability, and stability of water resources and water utility services for the Twin Cities' seven-county metropolitan area. This position will include supporting water-related policy and planning work through technical assistance and plan reviews, convening and engaging local stakeholders about regional water challenges, project management, and developing resources and information to assist local and regional water planning and implementation decisions. This work requires a professional background in water and environmental planning. This position's work helps to fulfill the Council's legislative mandate for surface water and water supply planning. It also supports collaboration among water utility and policy stakeholders, which is critical to fulfilling the Council's Water Resources Planning work plan and implementing the Climate Action Work Plan, Regional Development Guide, Water Policy Plan, and Metro Area Water Supply Plan. This position is eligible for a hybrid (a combination of remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. What you would do in this job + Reviews local surface water management plans, watershed management plans, local water supply plans, wellhead protection plans, water-related supply elements of community comprehensive plan updates and amendments, and other environmental documents and coordinates reviews with other planning staff. + Represents the Council with regulatory agencies, local interests, neighborhood groups, city, county, state, and federal governmental units, industrial user groups, and other interested parties. + Co -l eads and supports sub-regional water resources work for groups. Conducts necessary communications and interactions with these groups. + Plans and manages department projects and assignments, including coordination with cities/counties and other stakeholders who may be partners in those projects. + Develops written communication materials for internal and external use (e.g., content for websites, press releases, newsletters, etc.). + Creates and delivers presentations to a variety of internal and external partners. + Helps to i mplement the Council's Imagine 2050: Water Resource s Policy Plan. + Helps facilitate public outreach meetings to gather information needed to prepare policies and other planning documents. + Writes white research papers on water issues to inform new policies and related strategies. + Analyzes existing policies, plans, and implementation programs in the subject area. + Analyzes, compiles, and interprets data for planning purposes. + Applies knowledge of local government water-related planning practices, methods, and principles to the implementation of Council policies and practices. + Acts as a key liaison to the community and stakeholder groups and formulates outreach processes related to planning initiatives. + Participates in project teams and planning initiatives led by other units of the Council or external agencies. + Performs other related duties. What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of experience in water policy and planningANDcompleted education (degree field of study in City, Urban or Environmental Policy or Planning or water resources related degreeWITHa focus on Water Planning and Policy or closely related field): Bachelor’s degree with four (4) years of experience. OR Master's degree with two (2) years of experience. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): + Experience reviewing watershed and local water plan s and other environmental documents. + Experience developing and implementing water policies, focusing on water sustainability and reliability. + Excellent understanding of and ability to apply the concepts, principles, and practices of planning in water resources management including water supply planning. + Knowledge of Minnesota water management and governa nce structures. + Knowledge of state and federal water supply and water resources-related regulations and standards. + Good facilitation skills and/or experience in planning and leading stakeholder meetings. + Knowledge of intergovernmental relationships involved with water resources management, including information on water supply, and drinking water management in Minnesota. + 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: + Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, service providers, and coworkers; to promote an equitable , positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees. + Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to meet project goals and timelines. + Excellent knowledge of intergovernmental relationships in water resources management. + Strategic thinking skills + Understanding of land planning legislation pertaining to the metro area and its relationship to water resources/water supply management legislation. + Experience analyzing and interpreting data and communicating information in support of management and leadership responsibilities. + Ability to exercise productive leadership in interagency and interdepartmental teams. + Skilled in developing and fostering collaborative relationships within the staff, as well as with outside organizations including environmental groups, industry, representatives of federal and state agencies and local governments. + Strong written and verbal presentation skills, with the ability to communicate to the general public and policy board members as well as professional colleagues. + Ability to effectively present information and respond to ad hoc questions from individuals and groups of customers, clients and/or employees. + Skilled in dealing with conflict and responding to stressful situations in a calm, effective manner. + Ability to communicate with tact, courtesy, and professionalism. + Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. + Ability to identify problems, analyze issues, and implement resolutions + Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, prioritize without direct supervision, handle critical deadlines, and maintain a high degree of accuracy. + Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply policy guidelines of the Council. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply Council policy effectively in the policy analysis or development process. + Advanced skills in Microsoft Word and Excel, and ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs. What you can expect from us: + 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! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx) Additional information Union/Grade: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Grade: H FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No Full Salary Range:$41.34-$67.08 Hourly/$85,987 -$139,526 Annually 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. What steps the recruitment process involves: + We review your minimum qualifications. + We rate your education and experience. + 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 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, employment and criminal history 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. 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. 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 01 Applicant Instructions: The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attached a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions. + Yes + No 02 How did you first hear about this job opening? + CareerForce Center + Community Event/Organization + Employee Referral + Facebook + Glassdoor + Indeed + Job Fair + Linked In + Metro Transit Bus Advertisement + Twitter + Website: governmentjobs.com + Website: metrocouncil.org + Website: metrotransit.org 03 If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable. 04 Please select your highest completed education. + Master's degree or higher in City, Urban or Environmental Policy or Planning or water resources related degree with a focus on water planning and policy, or a related field. + Bachelor's degree in City, Urban or Environmental Policy or Planning or water resources related. + None of the above. 05 Please select the years of professional work experience that most accurately reflects your experience. + Less than two (2) years of planning-related experience. + Two (2) years but less than four (4) years of planning-related experience. + Four (4) years but less than six (6) years of planning-related experience. + More than six (6) years of planning-related experience. 06 Please describe your overall experience working in water policy and plan review. If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A." If you type " See Resume" you will not receive credit for your response. 07 Please describe your experience in facilitation and leading stakeholder and large group discussions where the end goal is consensus on a new approach or way of getting work done. Include where you obtained this experience and a description of your job duties. If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A." If you type "See Resume" you will not receive credit for your response. 08 Please describe your experience or knowledge of state and federal water resources/water supply-related regulations and standards. If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A." If you type, "See Resume," you will not credit for your response. 09 Please describe your knowledge or experience working with the many agencies and groups involved with water resources management/water supply and oversight in the region or Minnesota. If this does not apply to you, please indicate "N/A." If you type "See Resume" you will not receive credit for your response. 10 Describe your experience working with colleagues or stakeholders who are very different than you (i.e., gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, etc.). If this does not apply to you, indicate 'N/A.' Required Question Employer Metropolitan Council Address 390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101 Website https://metrocouncil.org Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email