Senior Water Planner

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.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) 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. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work.

To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

• Helps to implement the Council's Imagine 2050: Water Policy Plan and the Equity Framework within water planning.
• Works with other Divisions at the Council to implement the Council's Regional Development Guide.
• Acts as key liaison to community and stakeholder groups and formulates outreach processes related to water planning initiatives.
• Writes research papers on water equity issues (affordability, access, inclusion) in order to inform new policies and related strategies.
• Analyzes existing policies, plans and implementation programs in the subject area.
• 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.
• Reviews local surface water management plans, watershed management plans, local water supply plans, wellhead protection plans, water-related elements of community comprehensive plan updates and amendments, and other environmental documents and coordinates reviews with other planning staff.
• 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.
• Analyzes, compiles, and interprets data for planning purposes.
• Participates on project teams and planning initiatives led by other units of the Council or external agencies.
• Performs other related duties.

Any of the following combinations of completed education (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) and professional work experience (in water policy and planning):

• Master's degree with two years of experience
• Bachelor's degree with four years of experience

• Experience working with and engaging diverse populations of internal and external customers.
• Experience planning and leading stakeholder meetings and/or good facilitation skills.
• Experience developing and implementing water policies, focusing on water equity and sustainability.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and applying policy effectively in the policy analysis or development process.
• Experience reviewing watershed and local water plans and other environmental documents.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, service providers, and coworkers; to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees.
• Experience leading and working cooperatively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to meet goals and timelines.

• Knowledge of Minnesota water management and governance structures.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal water supply, water resources-related, and land planning legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Strong written and verbal presentation skills, with the ability to communicate to the general public and policy board members as well as professional colleagues.
• Strategic thinking skills.
• Skilled in dealing with conflict and respond to stressful situations in a calm, effective manner.
• Ability to communicate with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, prioritize without direct supervision, handle critical deadlines, and maintain a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent understanding of and ability to apply the concepts, principles, and practices of planning in water resources management and water supply planning.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply policy guidelines of the Council.
• 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!

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

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:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. 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. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. 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 criminal background check 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. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

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.