Summary of Position

Play a key role in Coon Rapids’ sustainable future as the City’s Senior Planner—Sustainability. If you’re passionate about environmental policy, energy efficiency, and managing a wide array of projects and initiatives, this is the opportunity for you! The City of Coon Rapids employs a great team of people dedicated and service centered! Our mission revolves around the understanding that only together, can we provide outstanding leadership and services that strengthen our community. Serving our Citizens and local businesses is essential in our work. Our vision is to strengthen our community with a respectful, collaborative, and innovative employee culture that values employee growth, personal balance, and contagious enthusiasm. Our core values include dedication to essentials such as trust, teamwork, innovation and commitment to excellence! No doubt we have something great here! This position works primarily in-person, but would be eligible to work remotely, once a week, at the discretion of the Department Director.

This posting will remain open until filled, with first consideration given to applications received by February 23, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $95,305.60 - $100,713.60

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The City of Coon Rapids is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. The City welcomes, and encourages any qualified applicant to apply regardlessof race (including traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks and twists), color, creed, religion, familial status, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, marital status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors or any other basis protected by law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Programming

Develops and implements the City’s sustainability work program and policies, including managing energy efficiency programs, administering grants, and coordinating promotional and educational offerings.
Assists in research, public engagement, and drafting of comprehensive plan updates.
Leads and writes chapters and plan content in areas of sustainability, resiliency, water management, environmental resource protection, and transportation as it relates to various City functions.

Project Management

Develops and administers contracts with external entities to achieve project goals.
Researches, applies for and administers grants to support environmental policy, recycling and sustainability efforts; including preparation of application materials, City Council agenda materials, and presenting applications to the City Council for approval as necessary.

Policy Analysis & Development

Conducts research, maintains data and coordinates with internal staff and external agencies to develop city-wide action plans (i.e. active transportation, energy conservation, parks master plan, etc.)
Makes recommendations for sustainability inclusion and periodic updates to various City Plans.
Assist Community Development staff in conducting research, preparing reports, drafting ordinances, and preparation of policy documents. Presents these to the City’s Sustainability Commission, Planning Commission and City Council for review and approval.
Serves as the Green Step Cities coordinator, implementing environmental policy, attending training sessions, overseeing the progress of best management practices (B3 reporting), and pursing and administering grant opportunities.

Technical Reviews

Assists Engineering and Planning staff with reviews and inspections of development plans and site permits to ensure code compliance. Including sustainable practices, recycling and refuse, stormwater runoff best management practices (BMP’s), shoreline protection, and landscaping components.

Special Projects

Coordinates with Public Works staff to implement best management practices related to Natural Resources. Work includes review and coordination on parks projects (i.e. native planting and pollinators)..
Coordinates special events, as directed.the City’s sustainability initiatives.
Recruits, trains, and engages volunteers for special events.

Education, Outreach & Communications

Assists the City and Watershed partner’s stormwater management efforts by promoting and coordinating stormwater management practices and BMP education, programs and projects.
Coordinates sustainability public education efforts with the City’s Communications and Marketing Coordinator.
Drafts City newsletter articles, social media posts and web site updates.
Establishes and maintains professional and effective working relationships with internal and external customers.

Other Initiatives

Serves as the staff liaison to the City’s Sustainability Commission, including preparation and distribution of meeting packet materials, coordination of meeting agendas, keeping minutes, and maintaining the public records of the Commission.
Represents the City and maintains appropriate communication and training at state, regional, county, Watershed, and professional organizational meetings to stay current with regulations, market trends, and certifications requirements.
Performs additional duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Ability to:

Identify and analyze problems, research and recommend alternative solutions, effectively communication potential resolutions and resolve matters in a diplomatic and professional manner.
Collaborate with persons of varying backgrounds and knowledge levels in an effort to develop creative programs.
Facilitate effective presentations at public meetings and events.
Communicate clearly; orally, verbally and in written form.
Physically perform essential functions and requirements of the position.
Establish and maintain good working relationships with coworkers, volunteers, contractors, governmental agencies, and the general public.
Work independently and as a member of a team, making decisions based upon policies and/or standards.
Organize workload to meet schedules.
Must have the ability to accept constructive criticism or discipline in a positive manner, initiating self-development to improve job performance.
Ability to maintain a team and service-oriented approach to work.
Maintain and foster a work environment that supports the City's mission and values with a respectful, collaborative and innovative employee culture that values employee growth, personal balance and contagious enthusiasm.
1. Service - We value outstanding service. Our City deserves the best.
2. Trust - Trust means everything. Be accountable. Be transparent.
3. Teamwork - Teamwork allows us to accomplish more. We tackle challenges and celebrate successes together.
4. Innovation - Innovation is vital for our future. We are not afraid of new ideas.
5. Excellence - It's the expectation.

Knowledge of:

Advanced level in planning, environmental sustainability, natural resources, and development.
Applicable work safety hazards and standards.
Work processing, spreadsheet and project documentation software applications (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe, etc.).

Qualifications and Other Information

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

Bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental education, stormwater management, landscape architecture, sustainability/resiliency work and/or municipal zoning code.
Minimum of three years of experience in planning, environmental education, project management, and/or sustainability.
Demonstrated experience working with the public.
Must possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Three to five years’ experience in planning, environmental education, stormwater management, landscape architecture, sustainability/resiliency work and/or municipal zoning code.
Master’s Degree in planning, environmental education or Urban Studies.
Experience with grant applications and grant projects oversight.
Demonstrated work in the area of resilient community planning.
Experience coordinating open public events, open houses and other public outreach.
AICP certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION:

This position will be located at the City Center. It will use common office supplies and equipment, and the noise level is generally quiet. Exposure to computer monitors in the office is typical. This position works closely with others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
Must possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
Must know and practice the City’s mission, vision, and values.
Must make workplace safety the top priority.
Must contribute to a productive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

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.

The City of Coon Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

City of Coon Rapids

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Senior Planner - Sustainability