Associate Planner or Planner

Overview

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. Metro Transit is one of the country’s largest transit systems, employing more than 3,200 people and providing millions of rides a year 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.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. More information about us can be found on our website.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

Planners within the Facilities Planning & Administration Department's Planning and Urban Design Team are responsible for planning capital improvements and guiding urban design for transit facilities. Transit facilities include physical assets such as accessible boarding areas, bus shelters, park & rides, transit centers, rail stations, bicycle parking, and support facilities (e.g., bus garages). They prepare long-range facility plans and policies; interpret designs and site plans;

synthesize complex information into summaries and recommendations; and analyze and interpret data informing facility planning needs. They represent Metro Transit in coordinated transit planning activities and collaborate with interested stakeholders to ensure planned facilities align with regional policy and agency plans. The position will be filled either as an Associate Planner or Planner, based on candidate qualifications.

Note:

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

Associate Planner:

• Coordinates bus stop capital planning and tracking improvements to bus stops systemwide.
• Maintains data, GIS tools, and Power
  
  BI tools.
• Prepares plans, charts, reports, presentations, and other documents as a team member or performs portions individually under close supervision, specific to the area of assignment.
• Assists higher level planners by securing information and analyzing, compiling, and interpreting data in the field of planning.
• Produces maps and plans by conducting GIS analysis of transit and planning issues.
• Assists higher level planners in scoping transit facility improvement projects.
• Coordinates reviews and prepares comments on roadway designs and development site plans impacting transit stops and facilities.
• Performs other related duties.

Planner:

• Coordinates bus stop capital planning and tracking improvements to bus stops systemwide.
• Maintains data, GIS tools, and Power
  
  BI tools.
• Leads planning studies or projects and organizes teams specific to these project areas.
• Analyzes, compiles, and interprets data for planning purposes.
• Produces maps and plans by conducting GIS analysis of transit and planning issues.
• Develops project scopes for transit stops and facility improvement projects.
• Applies knowledge of local government planning practices, methods and principles to the implementation of Council policies and practices.
• Coordinates review and prepares comments for complex roadway designs and development site plans impacting transit stops and facilities.
• Acts as key liaison to community and stakeholder groups related to capital projects and planning initiatives.
• Conducts technical assignments and review. Prepares staff reports, written analysis, and presents project updates.

Qualifications

For Associate Planner:
Any of the following combinations of related experience in urban planning or related field, and completed education in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies or a closely related field.

• High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of work experience.
• Associate degree and two (2) years of work experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

For Planner:
Any of the following combinations of related experience in urban planning or related field, and completed education in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies or a closely related field.

• High school diploma or GED and seven (7) years of work experience.
• Associate degree in and five (5) years of work experience.
• Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of work experience.
• Master's degree or higher, and one (1) year of work experience.

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

• Experience with data management and analysis in Excel, GIS desktop and web mapping, and BI reporting tools (Power BI).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of transit operations and transit capital planning.
• Knowledge of pedestrian facility design, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).

Additional experience may include reviewing or interpreting roadway or urban design plans, or site plans;…