[Hiring] Senior Planner @Dakota County

Role Description

A Senior Planner serves as a lead role in the design and development of policies and plans related to the Office of Planning. The Senior Planner serves on a multitude of team projects providing the technical expertise needed to develop and implement planning projects. This position will have a lead role in the 2050 Dakota County Comprehensive Plan update. Other project work may include:

• Park and greenway long-range plans
• Active living
• Pedestrian and bicycle planning
• Environmental planning (e.g., natural systems plan, solid waste plan, ground and surface water plans, and sustainability planning)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree AND two years' experience in Geography, Urban Planning, Public Administration, GIS, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal or exceed 6 years professional land use or community planning experience.
• Master's Degree in Geography, Urban Planning, Public Administration, GIS, or Landscape Architecture or a related field (preferred).
• Grant writing or capital improvement planning experience (preferred).
• Knowledge of GIS applications and planning software (preferred).
• Comprehensive planning experience (preferred).

Requirements

• Manage a range of Physical Development Division and inter-divisional planning initiatives, including formal plans, policies, and studies.
• Effectively manage consultants in the preparation of plans and studies.
• Provide planning expertise to inter-departmental teams.
• Write clear, concise plans to document policies, visions, goals, objectives, priorities, phasing, and budget needs.
• Lead the design, preparation, and implementation of research and analysis.
• Develop and execute public engagement plans that gather community input.
• Update and maintain technical expertise in mapping, engagement, analysis, and presentation.
• Manage and coordinate contractor selection and contract administration.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities to support planning efforts.
• Identify, research, and track emerging issues with potential impacts to County programs, plans, and services.
• Respond to information requests from staff, elected officials, and the public in a timely manner.
• Prepare and manage grants for external funding.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time