Planning Director

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received and the position will be open until filled, with preference given to applications received by April 30, 2024.

The City of Saint Paul is looking for a highly talented, innovative professional that understands both the challenges and the unique rewards of public service. While the expectations are high, and the demands will be significant, our new Planning Director will be joining a team of highly-skilled professionals who are excited about the future, committed to public service, and looking forward to building on the momentum already generated in Saint Paul's business and residential communities. Read more about the position in the Position Profile.

The Planning Director will serve as the City's chief planner, supported by two supervisors and overseeing a staff of 15-20 professionals working in planning and heritage preservation. The position serves as the City's Planning Administrator for the Zoning Code and is the lead staff to the Saint Paul Planning Commission. As a member of PED's Leadership Team, the Planning Director will work closely with the PED Director, Deputy Director, and the Directors of the Housing and Economic Development teams to ensure that planning and heritage preservation activities are well integrated with the Department's housing and economic development work.

The City of Saint Paul offers an excellent benefits package including low-premium health insurance, retirement contributions and generous paid time off.

About Saint Paul:

Saint Paul is the capital of the State of Minnesota, located along the beautiful Mississippi River in the prosperous Minneapolis-Saint Paul region. Saint Paul has a thriving commercial center and is home to Fortune 500 company headquarters, large regional enterprises, and countless small businesses and professional firms.

We play a key role in the fortunes of the dynamic Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area. Large-scale, visionary transit projects, such as the Green Line LRT, are linking the East Metro with the metro core in a way that integrates neighborhood interests.

With 52 square miles of land, 61 miles of main line railway, 26 miles of Mississippi River waterway, 17.9 miles of interstate highway, and over 41,000 takeoffs and landings at our downtown airport, the urban setting offers ample opportunities for recreation, business investment and active urban living.

The City of Saint Paul's mission is to integrate equity and inclusion into how we approach all our work. Our vision is to be committed to building an equitable and inclusive city that will shift culture in city processes and policies, eliminate structural inequities, and ensure timely and relevant access to services, resources, support, and opportunity to every person in Saint Paul.

A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Economics, Finance, Real Estate, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a closely-related field. Five years of responsible administrative experience directing urban planning, housing development, economic development, or financial management.

Two years of the five years of experience must have been in a supervisory position. No substitution for education.

A Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Economics, Finance, Real Estate, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a closely-related field is preferred.

• Submit a City of Saint Paul online application, including answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire.

• Upload or submit the following required document via the online application system, mail, in person, email, or fax. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.) 

• A resume

• A cover letter

First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.

 Unclassified Posting: This is an UNCLASSIFIED position and is therefore not governed by City Civil Service Rules.

Selection Process: Applicants who meet the criteria and requirements stated on the job posting will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.

Final Selection Process: You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.

Condition of Employment: This position requires a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment.

Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer. The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.

Human Resources Contact Information:

Kate Moen at (651) 266-6530

200 City Hall Annex

25 West Fourth Street

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Fax: 651-266-6490

E-mail: kate.moen@stpaul.gov

To refer to this information, we recommend you print this job posting before you apply. For technical assistance regarding the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627 during regular business hours. Additionally, City of Saint Paul staff are available for application assistance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-266-6500.

Veteran's Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran's preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.

The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Working Title: Planning Director

Official Title: Planning and Economic Development Manager