Planning Analyst/ Sr. Planner, Regional Housing Policy
Apply NowCompany: Metropolitan Council
Location: Saint Paul, MN 55106
Description:
Salary : $93,017.60 - $150,862.40 Annually
Location : 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00006
Division: Community Development
Department: Livable Comm Unit Management
Opening Date: 03/28/2025
Closing Date: 4/18/2025 11:59 PM Central
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. 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.
NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and onsite) teleworking arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
This recruitment may establish a six (6) month eligibility list for current and future vacancies if we have multiple qualified candidates. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee you a job with the Council.
What you would do in this job
Program Coordination
Technical Assistance
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
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.
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.
Master's degree AND three (3) years of related experience.What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
Additional information
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
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:
01
Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. 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 attach 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 my application and supplemental questions.
02
How did you first hear about this job opening?
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 the option that best indicates your education and experience.
05
Please describe your experience related to affordable housing. How have you worked to break down barriers to development and preservation of affordable housing through your lived and/or professional experience? Include your role(s), the type of work/experience, and the location and duration of your experience in your answer.
06
Please describe your experience in assessing, implementing, or advocating for racial equity policies or programs in a housing-related, community development, or grant program context. Please provide context for your experience including your role, your approach, the issue(s) you addressed, how you brought others along with you, where the experience took place, and for how long.
07
Please describe your experience with facilitating peer exchange and learning sessions, delivering technical assistance, and/or communicating technical information about affordable housing, planning, and/or development topics. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
08
Please describe your experience in urban and regional planning and policy, especially related to housing development, affordable housing and land use topics, and how you have cultivated your knowledge over your career. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
09
Please describe your experience with managing projects and/or project teams. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
10
The Metropolitan Council values a workplace that is as diverse as the people we serve. Please describe your experience working and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environment. If you do not have this experience, indicate "N/A."
Required Question
Location : 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00006
Division: Community Development
Department: Livable Comm Unit Management
Opening Date: 03/28/2025
Closing Date: 4/18/2025 11:59 PM Central
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. 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.
NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and onsite) teleworking arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
This recruitment may establish a six (6) month eligibility list for current and future vacancies if we have multiple qualified candidates. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee you a job with the Council.
What you would do in this job
Program Coordination
- Lead grant-funded efforts to advance local policies and programs to break down barriers to produce and preserve affordable housing throughout the Twin Cities region.
- Facilitate peer learning and exchange among local governments.
- Develop and coordinate scopes of work with sub-grantees and consultants.
- Design and implement sub-grant programs for local governments.
- Evaluate programs and report to stakeholders, policy makers, and funding agency partners.
- Share learnings with other local, regional, and state affordable housing policy and planning innovators across the country
Technical Assistance
- Design and implement technical assistance and consulting offerings for affordable housing planning, policies, and programs.
- Develop content for and disseminate written and web-based technical assistance resources.
- Provide direct technical assistance and consult with local governments and key partners in the region.
- Serve as subject-matter expert on affordable housing policy, planning, land use, and program implementation.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
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.
Additional information
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
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
- 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: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. 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 attach 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 my application and supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
02
How did you first hear about this job opening?
- CareerForce Center
- Community Event/Organization
- Employee Referral
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
- Website: governmentjobs.com
- Website: metrocouncil.org
- Website: metrotransit.org
- Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
- Other
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 the option that best indicates your education and experience.
- Master's or higher
- Bachelor's or higher
- Associate's Degree
- High School Diploma or GED
05
Please describe your experience related to affordable housing. How have you worked to break down barriers to development and preservation of affordable housing through your lived and/or professional experience? Include your role(s), the type of work/experience, and the location and duration of your experience in your answer.
06
Please describe your experience in assessing, implementing, or advocating for racial equity policies or programs in a housing-related, community development, or grant program context. Please provide context for your experience including your role, your approach, the issue(s) you addressed, how you brought others along with you, where the experience took place, and for how long.
07
Please describe your experience with facilitating peer exchange and learning sessions, delivering technical assistance, and/or communicating technical information about affordable housing, planning, and/or development topics. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
08
Please describe your experience in urban and regional planning and policy, especially related to housing development, affordable housing and land use topics, and how you have cultivated your knowledge over your career. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
09
Please describe your experience with managing projects and/or project teams. Please provide context for your experience including your role, the work that you were responsible for, and the location and duration of your experience.
10
The Metropolitan Council values a workplace that is as diverse as the people we serve. Please describe your experience working and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environment. If you do not have this experience, indicate "N/A."
Required Question