Manager, Planning and Urban Design

The Metropolitan Council is hiring a Manager, Planning and Urban Design in St Paul, MN. This full-time position involves overseeing planning teams, managing urban design for transit facilities, and coordinating capital improvement projects. The role requires experience in Urban and Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, or related fields, with a focus on long-range planning and community engagement. The salary ranges from $98,800 to $160,347 annually.
Salary : $98,800.00 - $160,347.20 Annually
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00058
Division: Metro Transit
Department: Engineering and Facilities Adm
Opening Date: 02/27/2025
Closing Date: 3/13/2025 11:59 PM Central

WHO WE ARE

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.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides more than 80 million 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.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Manager, Planning and Urban Design in the Engineering & Facilities Department at Metro Transit is a front-line supervisor with leadership and management responsibilities for developing long-range plans, scoping 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, bus garages, maintenance facilities, and office buildings.
What you would do in this job
• Manage performance of planning team: set clear expectations and accountability, develop work plans and goals, manage progress, remove barriers, coach for desired results, and clearly communicate feedback to develop and retain staff and achieve project goals.
• Meet regularly with the Assistant Director to prioritize work plan, report progress and barriers to project advancement and define strategies to overcoming these barriers.
• Manage planning studies, projects or surveys and organize teams specific to these project areas.
• Oversee development of capital concept plans for transit stop and facility improvement projects.
• Identify capital improvement projects needed to support the agency's current operations and short-term growth projections.
• Oversee development of design guidelines and processes to coordinate transit facility improvements with internal departments and local government partners.
• Coordinate closely with other divisions on matters involving facilities planning and urban design, including regional transportation policy, service improvements, speed & reliability initiatives, safety & security initiatives, and new light rail and bus rapid transit lines.
• Represent the agency's interests by participating on project advisory committees.
• Work with business and community groups to address needs and concerns.
• Perform other duties directly related to this position as assigned

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

Experience/Education Requirement
Any of the following combinations of experience and completed education in Urban and Regional Planning Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Transportation Planning, Geography, Statistics or related industry. Experience must include three (3) years of experience in a management, supervisory, or project management that includes leading and directing other staff.
• Highschool Diploma/GED with ten (10) years of experience
• Associate's degree AND eight (8) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience
• Master's degree AND four (4) years of experience

ProgramYears of supervisory experience program counts forMetro Transit Leadership Academy1 yearProject Management Development Program - 12 month session1 yearProject Management Development Program - 6 month session6 months

Four Learning Institute Certificates - You must obtain all four certificates listed below to receive credit for 6 months supervisory experience.
• Leading Self-Personal Effectiveness Certificate
• Leading Self-Communication Certificate
• Leading Self-Business Skills Cerificate
• Leading Others-Preparing for Supervisor Certificate

6 months
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
• Skills in performance management and performance coaching.
• Skills in project management.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of transit facility design, and capital project planning.
• Knowledge of or aptitude to learn the geography and transit system of the Twin Cities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local transit capital funding sources.
• Ability to work with municipalities, metropolitan agencies, community groups and the public.
• Experience with Microsoft Office365 tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, etc.).
• Experience working with diverse populations and understanding the value different experiences bring to the workplace.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for public transit.
Additional information
Union/Grade: Transit Management Supervisory Association/Grade J
Safety Sensitive: No
FLSA: Exempt

Working Conditions:
Position may require working in outdoor weather conditions up to one-third (1/3) of the time.

Physical Conditions:
Position may require sitting, standing, walking, and lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds up to one-third (1/3) of the time. Position may also require close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
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 that your application shows all relevant education and experience you 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. If you attach a resume to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.
• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear 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.Type N/A if not applicable.
04

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.
• A high school diploma AND ten (10) years of experience
• An associate degree AND eight (8) years of experience
• A bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience
• A master's degree AND four (4) of experience
• None of the above

05

Please briefly describe your experience in managing/supervising staff, or project management experience that includes leading and directing other staff.
06

Please describe your experience and knowledge of the regional transit system
07

Please describe your knowledge of the principles and practices of transit facility design and capital project planning.
08

Please describe your experience working with diverse populations and understanding the value that different experiences bring to the workplace
Required Question