Planning Analyst - Water & Climate

The Planning Analyst - Water & Climate at MSP Metropolitan Council in St Paul, MN, focuses on leading climate planning efforts to enhance water resource sustainability in the Twin Cities area. Responsibilities include developing climate decision-making tools, managing projects, analyzing climate and water data, collaborating with stakeholders, and reviewing water management plans. A background in climate resiliency and mitigation is essential for this role.
About the position

As a Planning 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 creating and updating climate decision-making tools, organizing and implementing internal efforts from our Climate Action Work Plan, project management, 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 and mitigation. This position's work helps to fulfill the Council's legislative mandate 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.

Responsibilities
• Leads the development of deliverables of 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.
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• Initiates and manages projects with external consultants to create climate tools and resources for internal and external uses, including coordination with stakeholders who may be partners in those projects.
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• Analyzes, compiles, and interprets climate and water data for planning purposes.
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• Participates in climate-related project teams and initiatives led by other units of the Council or external agencies.
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• Collaborates with state and regional partners to coordinate with them on their climate and water planning efforts at the region- and state-wide levels.
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• Reviews 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 coordinates reviews with other planning staff.
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• Represents the Council with regulatory agencies, local interests, neighborhood groups, city, county, state, and federal governmental units, industrial user groups, and other interested parties.
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• Builds competency, takes meaningful action, and contributes to advancing racial equity within the Council and across the Twin Cities region.
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• Develops written communication materials for internal and external use (e.g., website content, press releases, newsletters, etc.).
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• Creates and delivers presentations to a variety of internal and external partners.
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• Applies knowledge of local government climate and water-related planning practices, methods, and principles to implement Council policies and procedures.
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• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in city, urban, or environmental planning or a field related to the area of assignment.
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• Five (5) years of planning-related experience must have included two years of project management or team lead experience.
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• A master's degree in a related field will be considered two (2) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in planning and executing technical projects focusing on water sustainability and climate resiliency.
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• Leading multiple cross-divisional teams to embed climate-related work in utility operations and water planning.
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• Experience developing and implementing climate and water-related tools focusing on water sustainability and reliability to support planning and policy decisions.
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• Experience and familiarity with environmental plan review.
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• Knowledge of state and federal climate and water resources-related regulations and standards.
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• Knowledge of intergovernmental relationships involved with Minnesota's climate planning and water resources management.
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• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, service providers, and coworkers to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees.
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• Ability to communicate effectively in writing, preparing concise and accurate planning documents, reports, correspondence, and memos for various audiences, including staff, government and regulatory agencies, contractors, and the public.
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• Experience analyzing and interpreting data and communicating information in support of management and policy decisions.
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• Skilled in developing and fostering collaborative relationships within the staff and with outside organizations, including environmental groups, industry, representatives of federal and state agencies, and local governments.
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• Skilled in dealing with conflict and responding to stressful situations calmly and effectively.
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• Ability to communicate with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
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• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
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• Ability to identify problems, analyze issues, and implement resolutions.
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• Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, prioritizing without direct supervision, handling critical deadlines, and maintaining high accuracy.
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• Experience working and collaborating with diverse colleagues or stakeholders.

Benefits
• Opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
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• Encouragement for employees to develop skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
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• Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.