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Livable Communities Program Associate - Associate Planner

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Livable Communities Program Associate - Associate Planner

Salary

See Position Description

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2025-00316

Division

Community Development

Department

Livable Comm Unit Management

Opening Date

11/21/2025

Closing Date

12/12/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

WHO WE ARE

Please include a cover letter with your application. Resumes will NOT be reviewed so please provide complete, detailed information on your application form.

We are theMetropolitan 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. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Community Development Division is responsible for the Council’s regional long-range planning efforts; planning and technical assistance to local governments; planning for and funding the regional parks and open space system; delivering rent assistance through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and delivering the Livable Communities Act grant programs.

In Community Development, we have set the following goals to guide our work:

+ Our division builds competency, takes meaningful actions, and creates the necessary infrastructure to advance racial equity.

+ Our division’s workplace culture is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

TheLivable Communities Act (https://metrocouncil.org/Communities/Services/Livable-Communities-Grants.aspx) (LCA) team delivers funding to help communities achieve development goals that create more housing choices, support living wage job creation, and connect jobs, housing, and regional amenities to create a more equitable region. The work unit also includes regional housing policy (https://metrocouncil.org/Housing/Planning/2050-Housing-Policy-Plan.aspx) planning, which works with local governments to identify and plan for their future housing needs.

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

The entry-level Livable Communities Program Associate (Associate Planner-AFS)will join a collaborative Livable Communities and Housing team of 11 people from planning, policy, and related backgrounds with values centered on equity, service, relationships, innovation, and accountability.

The person in this position will:

+ Assist with the implementation of the annual Livable Communities Act grant solicitation rounds.

+ Assist with outreach, technical assistance, public engagement, and program evaluation projects to improve the delivery and impact of grant programs.

+ Provide a high level of customer service to local governments, development team partners, and other relevant parties.

+ Assist with delivering a consistent, fair, accurate, and equitable grantmaking process.

Anticipated starting salary range (DOQ*): $70,000 - $84,000

Full salary range: $68,078 - $110,490

* The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

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

What you would do in this job

+ Process grant proposals using the Fluxx grant management platform, including data entry, providing eligibility review, coordinating expert review, and assisting with creating reports and recommendations.

+ Provide technical assistance to a diverse group of potential and current grantees/project teams, including city staff and emerging developers, such as providing assistance in navigating the online grant portal and directing inquiries to technical experts.

+ Assist with Livable Communities program management, including documenting processes, organizing documents, and maintaining contacts.

+ Assist in implementing the Livable Communities communications plan, including updating the website and sending informational emails.

+ Assist with outreach to promote the Livable Communities program, including providing logistical support for events.

+ Assist with the Livable Communities program evaluation, including conducting surveys and focus groups.

+ Ensure and improve data quality in grants management and reporting systems.

+ Work with finance and grants administration colleagues to ensure a seamless, integrated process for grant recipients.

+ Contribute to intra-division and cross-Council working teams to advance regional policy goals and 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)

Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree with coursework in geography, urban planning, political science, public policy, sociology, economics, or related field) and experience (in grantmaking, real estate development, lending, affordable housing, transportation, environmental services or cleanup, public policy, community engagement, planning, or related field):

+ High school diploma/GED with four years of experience

+ Associate degree with two years of experience

+ Bachelor's degree with no experience requirement

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

+ Work or internship experience implementing grantmaking or lending programs

+ Work or internship experience conducting community engagement

+ Work or internship experience planning events or managing logistics

+ Coursework, internship, or work experience generating, interpreting, and communicating qualitative and/or quantitative data.

+ Work, internship, or lived experience with at least one racial or cultural community that is historically or currently underserved or harmed by government entities in the seven-county Twin Cities region, with attention to power dynamics and the importance of emerging leaders

+ Basic experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

+ Basic experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

+ Basic knowledge of the governmental environment in which the Metropolitan Council works as it applies to the Livable Communities programs and local and regional housing policy.

+ Extensive knowledge of the purposes, objectives, guidelines, criteria, and processes of the Livable Communities Act grant processes.

+ Ability to articulate the impacts of systemic racism on development in a variety of settings.

+ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local governments and their development partners, even when delivering unwelcome news.

+ Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply the Metropolitan Council's values of Equity, Leadership, Accountability, and Stewardship.

+ Ability to identify challenges or opportunities and create solutions to meet those challenges or opportunities.

+ Ability to operate collaboratively and facilitate outcomes through cross-functional teams.

+ Ability to meet deadlines and uphold role on the team through bi-annual grant-making cycles.

+ Strong customer service skills.

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with diverse internal and external audiences from policy makers to staff to community members and others.

+ Active listening skills and the willingness to respectfully give and receive feedback from colleagues and external partners.

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 encourage and support staff in bringing the full range of experiences and identities that define them to the workplace.

+ We encourage and support staff in contributing to a dynamic work culture that improves the Council’s ability to serve the region and strives to effectively support all employees.

+ We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)

Additional information

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade E

FLSA Status: Non-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:

+ We review your minimum qualifications.

+ We rate your education and experience.

+ We conduct a structured panel interview.

+ 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 drug test (safety sensitive positions only) and 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 drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and 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 [email protected].

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

Applicant Instructions: It is important thatyour application shows all relevant education and experienceyou 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. Cover letters are requested and will be reviewed. Resumes will NOT be reviewed, so please do not attach them. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

+ Yes

+ No

02

How did youfirsthear about this job opening?

+ CareerForce Center

+ Community Event/Organization

+ Employee Referral

+ Facebook

+ Glassdoor

+ Indeed

+ Job Fair

+ LinkedIn

+ Metro Transit Bus Advertisement

+ Twitter

+ 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.

04

Cover letters will be reviewed for this position. Did you attach one?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

+ High school diploma/GED AND four or more years of experience in grantmaking, real estate development, lending, affordable housing, transportation, environmental services or cleanup, public policy, community engagement, planning, or related field

+ Associate degree with coursework in geography, urban planning, political science, public policy, sociology, economics, or related field AND two or more years of experience in grantmaking, real estate development, lending, affordable housing, transportation, environmental services or cleanup, public policy, community engagement, planning, or related field

+ Bachelor’s or higher degree with coursework in geography, urban planning, political science, public policy, sociology, economics, or related field with no experience or some experience in grantmaking, real estate development, lending, affordable housing, transportation, environmental services or cleanup, public policy, community engagement, planning, or related field

+ None of the above.

06

If you indicated in question #5 that you have a degree with coursework in geography, urban planning, political science, public policy, sociology, economics, or related field, please respond with your degree type/field and summary of applicable coursework. If this doesn't apply, please type "N/A."

07

If you indicated in question #5 that you have experience in grantmaking, real estate development, lending, affordable housing, transportation, environmental services or cleanup, public policy, community engagement, planning, or related field, please describe that experience including duties performed, where the experience took place, and the duration. If this doesn't apply, please type "N/A."

08

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).

+ Work or internship experience implementing grantmaking or lending programs (only check if your experience is implementing programs from the funder side, NOT applying to grant or lending programs or managing projects funded by grants or loans)

+ Work or internship experience conducting community engagement (e.g., townhalls, public comment periods, focus groups, open houses, charrettes, or surveys)

+ Work or internship experience planning events or managing logistics (e.g., selecting and booking facilities, managing registration, creating the “run-of-show,” ensuring the event keeps to its set timeline, following up with guests after the event)

+ Coursework, internship, or work experience generating, interpreting, and communicating qualitative data (e.g., interviews, open ended survey questions, observational and field notes, community meeting notes, policy documents, historical narratives)

+ Coursework, internship, or work experience generating, interpreting, and communicating quantitative data (e.g., program output and outcome data, financial metrics, demographic and population reach data, housing availability and accessibility measures, community level indicators, organizational capacity data, evaluation metrics)

+ Work, internship, or lived experience with at least one racial or cultural community that is historically or currently underserved or harmed by government entities in the seven-county Twin Cities region, with attention to power dynamics and the importance of emerging leaders (including, but not limited to, community organizing, program coordination, outreach worker, interpreter/translator, family advocate, involvement in cultural preservation activities, involvement in mutual aid networks, or lived-experience consultant)

09

Please describe your experience assisting or supporting grantmaking or lending programs or how you have developed a professional interest in grantmaking work. Include your role, the type of grantmaking/lending, and the location and duration of your experience. Please only include experience implementing programs from the funder side, NOT applying to grant or lending programs or managing projects funded by grants or loans. If you don't have the experience requested, please type "N/A."

10

Please describe your experience conducting or supporting community engagement (e.g., townhalls, public comment periods, focus groups, open houses, charrettes, or surveys). Please provide context for your experience, including your role; the approach; the topic areas of engagement; the partners, individuals, or communities engaged; and the length of the engagement strategy. If you don't have the experience requested, please type "N/A."

11

Please describe your coursework or experience generating, interpreting, and communicating qualitative (e.g., interviews, open ended survey questions, observational and field notes, community meeting notes, policy documents, historical narratives) and/or quantitative (e.g., program output and outcome data, financial metrics, demographic and population reach data, housing availability and accessibility measures, community level indicators, organizational capacity data, evaluation metrics) data. Please provide context for your experience, including the class or your role, the subject matter, and the duration. If you don't have the experience requested, please type "N/A."

12

Please describe your experience with racial or cultural communities that are historically or currently underserved or harmed by government entities in the seven-county Twin Cities region including, but not limited to, community organizing, program coordination, outreach worker, interpreter/translator, family advocate, involvement in cultural preservation activities, involvement in mutual aid networks, or lived-experience consultant. Please provide context for your experience, including your role in the community, the community, the duration (if work experience), and how you paid attention to power dynamics and emerging leaders. If you don't have the experience requested, please type "N/A."

13

Please select the programs below with which you have experience in the majority of identified tasks (select all that apply).

+ Microsoft Word - use templates, basic text editing and page layout, apply and modify styles, meet ADA accessibility requirements, mail merge, use collaboration tools like comments and track changes

+ Microsoft Excel - technical analysis using a spreadsheet, including basic statistics and simple data manipulation

+ Microsoft PowerPoint - create and format slides, use templates, insert and manage content, transition and animations, use presentation tools, export to PDF, and ensure ADA accessibility

+ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - map navigation and layer management, create basic maps using shape files and geodatabases, applying symbology to represent different data types, label features, design layout for export, export map to PDF or image

Required Question

Employer

Metropolitan Council

Address

390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website

https://metrocouncil.org

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