Planner

Primary Objective

The City of Bloomington is seeking an individual to review development and zoning applications, prepare recommendations on land use issues, and assist customers with zoning questions and processes. Make professional and effective presentations on development and zoning projects to Commissions, Boards, and the City Council.

CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS

• Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement and safety
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
• Embraces the City’s shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
  
  

Examples of Duties

• Process simple and complex development applications for public and administrative review to promote orderly, positive, and effective development consistent with City plans and policies. Prepare agendas, staff reports, graphics and supporting materials; review these plans and proposals to determine conformance with the comprehensive plan, the zoning code and established planning practices.
• Meet with developers and the public regarding development plans, land use policies, and application processes.
• Design and execute public participation and community engagement processes and activities to support Community Development projects.
• Enable the public to fully participate in the planning process by providing information about the planning process, zoning, comprehensive planning, development proposals and other matters that affect their interests.
• Maintain effective relationships with partner public and private organizations.
• Provide staff support and present to City commissions, committees, and initiatives. May require attendance at early morning and evening meetings and occasional weekends.
• Perform field or file inspections to ensure conformance with approved plans, including site, landscaping and lighting plans.
• Prepare and present City Code amendments and long range plans (comprehensive plans, district plans, etc.).
• Collect and maintain information on the physical, social and economic characteristics of the City, including maintenance of geographic and housing information; evaluate information regarding the City and summarize pertinent points in quantifiable and qualitative terms; conduct studies, prepare reports and make recommendations on long-range planning issues including housing, transportation, land use and economic development.
• Manage records in accordance with State statutes and City policies and respond to data requests.
• Prepare environmental review documents to comply with City policies and State and Federal law.
• Participate in grant identification, writing, and reporting.
• Perform other duties as apparent or assigned to support other City departments and divisions
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• High quality customer service skills – following best practices, valuing others’ time, and providing knowledgeable and resourceful information while going above and beyond expectations.
• Ability to embrace and demonstrate City values through verbal and non-verbal communication and work ethic – responsibility, integrity, respect, positive attitude, empathy, and initiative.
• Ability to produce written communication that is clear, concise and accurate.
• Ability to adhere to legal and administrative processes for evaluating, approving and implementing applications.
• Able to work independently, anticipate next steps and adapt to changing work priorities.
• Ability to model and encourage creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
• Clear and accurate numerical data analysis skills.
• Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to present information in a variety of formats and styles and to a variety of audiences.
• Able to successfully manage and prioritize multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to engage and communicate with the public in a manner that is responsive, considerate and respects the need for confidentiality.
• Ability to ensure that recommendations are thoroughly researched and based upon facts and logically presented arguments.
• Ability to develop or improve City procedures for collecting, processing, storing and disseminating information.
• Ability to coordinate work with other City, County, State and Federal agencies involved in the Division’s activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving and updating planning knowledge and skills.
• Ability to understand and comply with current administrative policies and procedures.
  
  

Minimum/Desirable Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in urban planning or closely related field.
• Two years’ work experience in municipal urban planning. A Master’s Degree in urban planning or closely related field may substitute for one year of the required work experience.
• Experience working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS or comparable software.
• Valid driver's license.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in urban planning or closely related field.
• Work experience in housing, real estate or other related field.
• Experience in data compilation and analysis.
• Additional experience engaging with marginalized communities, including BIPOC, first generation, LGBTQIA , low income, and disability communities.
• Language skills in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Cambodian (Khmer), Chinese Mandarin, Arabic, Amharic, Lao, Pashto, Swahili, Russian, Tibetan, Tagalog, Hmong, Portuguese, Oromo, Creolized English, and/or French.
• Advanced software skills utilizing Electronic Plan Review (BlueBeam), permitting (CityView), GIS (mapping and analysis), InDesign or comparable software, Electronic Document Management (Laserfiche), Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web page management (Drupal).
  
  

Supplemental Information

Supervision Of Others

This position does not supervise others.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $ 42.86 – $4 7.25 Hourly

2025 Full Salary Range: $42.86 – $53.18 Hourly

Full-Time; Non-Exempt; AFSCME Union; Benefits Eligible per Union Contract

The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change

Benefits

Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:

• 10 days paid vacation per year
• 13 days paid personal leave per year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee health and dental insurance
• Paid employee life insurance
• Paid employee disability insurance
• Employer/employee paid pension
• Deferred compensation
• Tuition assistance program
• Health club membership reimbursement
• Flexible spending account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Other optional benefits
• Great suburban location, on bus line
• Free employee parking
• (Union contracts may vary from the above list.)
  
  

01

The City of Bloomington (City) is asking you to supply information (data) as part of your application for employment with the City. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) classifies this data as private data about you. The law does not require you to provide the data and there is no legal consequence for refusing to provide the data. However, if you do not provide the requested data, the City may not have enough information to consider your application and you may not move forward in the selection process. If you do provide the data, City employees and its agents may have access to your private data if their work assignments reasonably require access. The hiring manager or supervisor, human resources employees, and members of an interview panel, which may include non-City employees, will have access to some of your private data during the application and selection process. State or federal law or a court order may allow others to have access to your data also. The City will not disclose any of your private data to any member of the general public without your permission. The MGDPA classifies the following information as public data about applicants: veteran status, relevant test scores, rank on eligible list, job history, education and training, and work availability. If you are a finalist for the position, your name is also public. A "finalist" is a person the City selects for an interview. Do you agree to supply the data the City is requesting as part of your application for employment?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

This is a reminder that you should check your Spam/Junk folder as emails from the City of Bloomington might end up being received in those folders and not your inbox. Please note that the City won't send out communications until after the job posting has officially closed unless the posting clearly states otherwise. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this informational message.

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire completely for this position. Attaching a resume is NOT a substitute for completing an answer. If a question is answered by the statement "See Resume", the question will be treated as if there is no answer. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.

I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Did you read and review the Working Conditions and Physical Demands checklist and the Remote Work availability? Once you click on the link

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

The advertised wage for this position is $42.86 - $47.25 hourly, depending on qualifications. If selected, would you be willing to accept a starting wage in this range?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• High School or Equivalent
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or Higher
• Not Applicable
  
  

07

If you indicated you have post-secondary education, please summarize coursework or list degree earned, area of study, name of institution and dates you attended. If not applicable to you, indicate N/A.

08

How many years of experience do you have in municipal urban planning?

• Less than 1 Year
• 1 Year
• 2 Years
• 3 Years
• Not Applicable
  
  

09

Do you have experience working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS or comparable software?

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Do you possess a Master’s Degree in urban planning or closely related field?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

Do you possess work experience in housing, real estate or other related field?

• Yes
• No
  
  

13

If you indicated you have work experience in housing, real estate or other related field, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.

14

Do you possess experience in data compilation and analysis?

• Yes
• No
  
  

15

If you indicated you have work experience in data compilation and analysis, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.

16

Do you possess experience engaging with marginalized communities, including BIPOC, first generation, LGBTQIA , low income, and disability communities?

• Yes
• No
  
  

17

Please Indicate Which Advanced Software Skills You Possess

• Electronic Plan Review (BlueBeam)
• permitting (CityView)
• GIS (mapping and analysis)
• InDesign or comparable software
• Electronic Document Management (Laserfiche)
• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Web page management (Drupal)
• Not Applicable
  
  

18

If you indicated you have work experience utilizing software skills listed above, please summarize your experience including Software Name, Level of Experience, and relevant work tasks when using software. If not applicable, indicate N/A.

19

Do you fluently speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community? Recognized prevalent languages in the City of Bloomington are Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Cambodian [Khmer]. Fluent means you can sustain a conversation, demonstrate intelligible pronunciation which doesn't interfere with understanding, and communicate at informal and some formal levels.

• Spanish - FLUENT
• Somali - FLUENT
• Vietnamese - FLUENT
• Chinese Mandarin - FLUENT
• Cambodian [Khmer] - FLUENT
• I am not FLUENT in those languages or I am FLUENT in another language
  
  

20

If you indicated you speak a language other than English that you are FLUENT in, please list the language(s) and years spoken. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.

21

This Question Is To Determine Your Status As a Veteran Under The Veteran's Preference Statute, Minnesota Statutes, 43A.11. Please Check The Statement Below Which Best Describes Your Current Veteran's Status

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
• I am the spouse of a deceased Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
• I am a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
• I am the spouse of a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation and is unable to use the preference due to the disability
  
  

22

If you are a Veteran and achieve the minimum passing rating, do you wish to apply your veteran's preference bonus points? If you answer yes, you MUST complete the City of Bloomington's Veteran Preference Questionnaire (

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable
  
  

Required Question