Water and Climate Analyst

Water And Climate Analyst

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. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 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.

As a Water And Climate Analyst in Water Resources, you will play a vital role in leading and supporting the climate 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 organizing and implementing internal efforts from our Climate Action Work Plan, project management, creating and updating climate decision-making tools, and supporting water-related policy and planning work through technical assistance and plan reviews to ensure the Council is producing highly-valued and credible information for making local and regional planning decisions.

This work requires an extensive professional background in climate resiliency, adaptation, and mitigation. This position's work helps to fulfill the Council's legislative mandates 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.

Anticipated starting salary range: $95,805 - $135,000. Full salary range: $95,805 - $155,397. The final hiring salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience and education, and internal salary equity. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

• Coordinate the implementation of actions within the Metropolitan Council as outlined in the Climate Action Work Plan, such as an update of the Localized Flooding Assessment Tool and other internally focused actions/tools to improve the climate resiliency of Environmental Services' planning and operations.
• Initiate and manage projects with internal teams and external consultants to create climate tools and resources, including coordination with stakeholders who may be partners in those projects.
• Participate in climate-related project teams and initiatives led by other units of the Council or external agencies.
• Collaborate with state and regional partners to coordinate with them on their climate and water planning efforts at the region- and state-wide levels.
• Review local surface water management plans, local water supply plans, watershed management plans, water and climate-related elements of community comprehensive plan updates and amendments, climate-related elements of environmental assessment worksheets, and similar environmental documents, and coordinate reviews with other planning staff.
• Update the Metropolitan Council's Climate Action Work Plan for the next planning phase of  with other climate planners in the agency.
• Build competency, take meaningful action, and contribute to advancing racial equity within the Council and across the Twin Cities region as it relates to climate resilience and mitigation for public water service providers.
• Develop written communication materials for internal and external use (e.g., presentations, website content, press releases, newsletters, etc.).
• Apply knowledge of local government climate and water-related planning practices, methods, and principles to implement Council policies and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of evolving technologies, approaches, and science related to climate issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (with major coursework in city, urban, or environmental planning; engineering; environmental sciences; or closely related field) and experience (in water or climate policy and planning):

• Bachelor's degree with five years of experience, including some project management or team lead experience
• Master's degree with three years of experience, including some project management or team lead experience

What Additional Skills And Experience Would Be Helpful In This Job (Desired Qualifications):

• Experience planning and executing technical projects focusing on water sustainability and climate resiliency of water systems.
• Experience leading multiple interdisciplinary teams to embed climate-related work in utility operations and water planning.
• Experience developing and implementing climate- and water-related tools…