Climate Policy Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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.
About Us:
Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. Environmental Services water resource recovery facilities consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. Environmental Services received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work.

To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
As a Water and Climate 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 organizing and implementing internal efforts from our Climate Action Work Plan, project management, creating and updating climate decision-making tools, 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, adaptation, and mitigation.
This position's work helps to fulfill the Council's legislative mandates 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.
Anticipated starting salary range: $95,805 - $135,000*
Full salary range: $95,805 - $155,397
* The final hiring salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience and education, and internal salary equity.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. What you would do in this job

• Coordinate the implementation of actions within the Metropolitan Council as outlined in 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.
• Initiate and manage projects with internal teams and external consultants to create climate tools and resources, including coordination with stakeholders who may be partners in those projects.
• Participate in climate-related project teams and initiatives led by other units of the Council or external agencies.
• Collaborate with state and regional partners to coordinate with them on their climate and water planning efforts at the region- and state-wide levels.
• Review 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 coordinate reviews with other planning staff.
• Update the Metropolitan Council's Climate Action Work Plan for the next planning phase of 2028-2033 with other climate planners in the agency.
• Build competency, take meaningful action, and contribute to advancing racial equity within the Council and across the Twin Cities region as it relates to climate resilience and mitigation for public water service providers.
• Develop written communication materials for internal and external use (e.g., presentations, website content, press releases, newsletters, etc.).
• Apply knowledge of local government climate and water-related planning practices, methods, and principles to implement Council policies and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of evolving technologies, approaches, and science related to climate issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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

Any of the following combinations in completed education (with major coursework in city, urban, or environmental planning; engineering; environmental sciences; or closely related field) and experience (in water or climate policy and planning):

• Bachelor's degree with five years of experience, including some project management or team lead experience
• Master's degree with three years of experience, including some project management or team lead experience

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

• Experience planning and executing technical projects focusing on water sustainability and climate resiliency of water systems.
• Experience leading multiple interdisciplinary teams to embed climate-related work in utility operations and water planning.
• Experience developing and implementing climate- and water-related tools focusing on water sustainability and reliability to support planning and policy decisions.
• Experience reviewing water and/or climate plans.
• Experience applying State of Minnesota and federal climate- and water resources-related regulations and standards to work.
• Experience and familiarity with intergovernmental relationships involved with Minnesota's climate planning and water resources management.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, service providers, and coworkers that promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees.

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

• 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.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data and communicating information in support of management and policy decisions.
• 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.
• Skilled in dealing with conflict and responding to stressful situations calmly and effectively.
• Ability to communicate with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to identify problems, analyze issues, and implement resolutions.
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently, prioritizing without direct supervision, handling critical deadlines, and maintaining high accuracy
• Ability to review 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 aspects of environmental assessment worksheets, and similar environmental documents.
• Understanding of land planning legislation about the metro area and its relationship to water resources/water supply management legislation.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and consistently and effectively apply Council policy in policy analysis or development.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word and Excel, and ability to perform technical analysis using spreadsheet and database programs.

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

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:

You would perform your work in a standard office setting and would be required to travel to and work at outdoor events in various weather conditions as well.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. 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 HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.