Senior Planner - Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA)



Job Details

Senior Planner - Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA)
Employer

Metropolitan Council

Salary

See Position Description

Location

St. Paul MN 55101, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2018-00134

Department

Community Development

Division

Housing & Livable Communities

Opening Date

05/18/2018

Closing Date

Continuous

Who We Are

The Metropolitan Council is seeking a Senior Planner for our Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA).

*This position will be posted continuously until filled.  Priority will be given to those who apply prior to June 3, 2018.  After this date, this posting can close at any time without further notice.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul seven – county metropolitan area. It operates the regional transit system; collects and treats regional wastewater; serves communities through affordable housing programs; establishes policies from the region's growth; and serves as the regional planning agency from transportation, aviation, water resources and park and open space.

The Community Development (CD) division is responsible for the Council's regional growth strategy; planning and technical assistance to local communities; and parks and open space. This division also includes the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) and the Livable Communities programs.

Work for an organization whose purpose it is to make the Twin Cities community a great place to live!  We offer excellent benefits (including free transit rides), growth opportunities and a healthy work/life balance.

The Livable Communities Act (LCA) programs provide funding for communities to invest in local economic revitalization, affordable housing initiatives, and development or redevelopment that connects different land uses and transportation.  The program is a voluntary, incentive-based approach to help communities grow and redevelop, and to address the region's affordable and lifecycle housing needs.  The Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA), which is the focus of this position, funds development and redevelopment projects that demonstrate efficient linkages among housing, jobs, services and transit to create livable, walkable, vibrant, diverse communities.

You can learn more about the all the divisions that make up the Metropolitan Council and how the Council serves the Twin Cities region here.

Starting Salary Range: $70,304 - $75,878
Full Salary Range:         $70,304 - $99,757

What you would do in this job:

  • Develop and implement application review, evaluation, and award processes for the LCDA programs, within statutory and policy guidelines, balancing public and private goals.
  • Develop and implement information and outreach strategies, materials and events to communicate availability and expectations of Livable Communities Act (LCA) Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) program to program clientele.
  • Develop and implement application review, evaluation, and award processes for the LCDA programs.
  • Present grant information to Council's Community Development and advisory committees.
  • Monitor and evaluate funded projects to report on outcomes and accomplishments.
  • Coordinate with funding partners and related public, nonprofit and professional organizations.
  • Proficiently use program information, databases and other technologies to produce reports and respond to internal and external inquiries and requests for information as well as analysis of programs.
  • Assist with grant administration and provide guidance to student interns.
  • Foster customer service mentality and ensure high level of service to all stakeholders requiring timely and accurate grant information;
  • Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful professional environment that values culture and diversity among all stakeholders and colleagues.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications):


A Bachelor's degree with major coursework in city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; or related field AND four years of experience in grants coordination, land use planning, urban design, community development, economic development, or related field.

OR
 
A Master's degree with major coursework in city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; or related field AND two years of experience in grants coordination, land use planning, urban design, economic development, or related field.

Desired Qualifications: Experience with grants software, mapping software, database management/statistical analysis and/or real estate development.  Advanced skills in GIS, MS Word and MS Excel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Extensive knowledge of the purposes, objectives, guidelines, criteria and processes of the Livable Communities Act grant processes.
  • Extensive knowledge of grant application and administrative principles, methods and theory.
  • Extensive knowledge of land use and community planning, urban design and implementation principles, theory, methods and practice.
  • Familiarity with multi-family and commercial real estate development processes.
  • Basic knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council works as it applies to the Livable Communities programs.
  • Advanced skills in MS Word, and MS Excel; ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant Livable Communities Act stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to promote and support an equitable, positive, and respectful professional environment that values cultural diversity among all stakeholders and colleagues.
  • Demonstrated cultural competence; ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply the Metropolitan Council's principles of Integration Collaboration, and Accountability.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret Metropolitan Council desired outcomes of Stewardship, Prosperity, Equity, Livability, and Sustainability and apply them effectively in the project analysis or development process. 

Additional information:

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

Selection Process: Candidates will be selected for final interview based on the results of:

  • Human Resources Review
  • Manager Review
  • Structured Panel Interview
  • Final Interview

All employment offers are conditional upon a review and verification of education, employment and driving record (if applicable) as well as passing a pre-employment drug-screen for new hires.

Offers are also conditioned upon passing a criminal background check for new hires.  Convictions are not an automatic disqualification from the selection process.  The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis.  Convictions are reviewed based upon the relatedness of the conviction to duties of the position as well as a candidate's ability to demonstrate adequate rehabilitation.   
 
Metropolitan Council employees who are applying for positions which are Safety Sensitive; supervisory/managerial; located in Finance, Information Services (IS) or Human Resources; or have access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards will be required to pass a criminal background check.

Please note: Making a false statement or withholding information (misrepresentation) may cause an applicant to be barred from consideration for the position.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.  If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please notify Human Resources at 651-602-1398.

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
Instructions: The purpose of the supplemental questions listed below is to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this job classification. Answer each question accurately and thoroughly. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. If you cite experience in your response that is not included in the Work History section of this application, your application may be considered incomplete and you may not receive further consideration for this position. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Please select the option that describes your education and experience level.
  • A Bachelor's degree with major coursework in city, urban, land use, or environmental planning; community development; economic development; or related field AND four or more years of experience in grants coordination, land use planning, urban design or related field.
  • A Master's degree with major coursework in city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; economic development; or related field AND two or more years of experience in grants coordination, land use planning, urban design or related field.
  • Some coursework in city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; economic development; or related field AND/OR some experience in grants coordination, land use planning, urban design or related field, but less than the options above.
  • None of the above
03
Please briefly describe how your work experience applies to this position.
04
How many years of experience do you have with grants coordination?
  • More than five years
  • More than three years through five years
  • More than one year through three years
  • Some experience up to one year
  • No experience
05
Please briefly describe your experience with grants coordination, including any experience as a grantor, administering the processes of design, outreach and awarding grants. If this is not applicable, please indicate "N/A."
06
How many years of experience do you have with city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; economic development; and/or real estate development?
  • More than five years
  • More than three years through five years
  • More than one year through three years
  • Some experience up to one year
  • No experience
07
Please briefly describe your experience with city, urban, land use or environmental planning; community development; economic development; and/or real estate development. If this is not applicable, please indicate "N/A."
08
Please briefly describe any experience you have in fostering diversity, inclusivity, and cultural competence and understanding, both within your workplace, as well as with and through your clientele.
09
Please briefly describe your skills and experience with MS Word, MS Excel and MS Access and how these skills and experience could be applied to this position? If this is not applicable, please indicate "N/A."

* Required Question

Employer
Metropolitan Council
Address
390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

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