Wastewater (WW) Planning & Community Programs Manager

About the Water Planning & Capital Delivery Department

Position Duties

• As a key leader in the Water Planning Services department, no two days in this role are the same. A typical week involves balancing long-term regional strategy with local community interactions and relationship building. Your day may include: Oversee the technical review and formal approval process of local comprehensive sewer plans (under M inn. Stat. § 473.175) to ensure local zoning, sewer extensions, and developments conform to regional capacity limits . Serve as the primary wastewater system technical and policy contact for state legislators, county commissioners, mayors, and local public works staff. Resolve sensitive intergovernmental disputes regarding system connections, service, and environmental reviews. Fiscal Sustainability, Billing Integrity, And Capital Improvement Program Support. Partners with ES Budget and Revenue to ensure Metropolitan Wastewater Charges (MWCs), the primary cost recovery mechanism utilized by ES, are equitable, fair, justified, consistently applied, and legally compliant. Ensure that Metropolitan Wastewater Charges (MWCs), the primary cost recovery mechanism utilized by ES, are equitable, fair, justified, consistently applied, and legally compliant. Direct the regional inflow and infiltration (I/I) mitigation program, partnering with communities to manage excess wet-weather flow, secure state grant funding, and support grant distribution. Provide administrative and technical oversight and lead city interactions for the community wastewater flow allocation calculations, which form the billing foundation for the municipal wastewater charge. Provide expert guidance on Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) determinations, explaining and tailoring criteria to balance development and maintain revenue requirements. Collaborate with Plant and Interceptor Engineering sections, Operations, Budget and Revenue, and other departments to develop the 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), ensuring project eligibility for Public Facilities Authority (PFA) loan funding and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approval. Coordinate meetings with senior leaders, peers, and staff from engineering, water supply planning, water resources, and the Community Development Division. Conduct capacity modeling studies, manage the overall system capacity model, and conduct check-ins with engineers and planners to review capacity models for current and planned regional interceptors. Support internal sustainability efforts leading energy management and sustainability reporting staff. Conduct project site visits and attend meetings with external partners (City officials, Engineers, Public Works staff, etc.) to review the community's flow data and service plans. Oversee and manage a team of engineers, planners, and scientists. Present to the Council's Environment Committee, Committee of the Whole, or full Council, and state legislature in support of the Governor's policy and budget recommendations related to programs under this position .
• As a key leader in the Water Planning Services department, no two days in this role are the same. A typical week involves balancing long-term regional strategy with local community interactions and relationship building. Your day may include:
• Oversee the technical review and formal approval process of local comprehensive sewer plans (under M inn. Stat. § 473.175) to ensure local zoning, sewer extensions, and developments conform to regional capacity limits .
• Serve as the primary wastewater system technical and policy contact for state legislators, county commissioners, mayors, and local public works staff. Resolve sensitive intergovernmental disputes regarding system connections, service, and environmental reviews.
• Fiscal Sustainability, Billing Integrity, And Capital Improvement Program Support.
• Partners with ES Budget and Revenue to ensure Metropolitan Wastewater Charges (MWCs), the primary cost recovery mechanism utilized by ES, are equitable, fair, justified, consistently applied, and legally compliant.
• Ensure that Metropolitan Wastewater Charges (MWCs), the primary cost recovery mechanism utilized by ES, are equitable, fair, justified, consistently applied, and legally compliant.
• Direct the regional inflow and infiltration (I/I) mitigation program, partnering with communities to manage excess wet-weather flow, secure state grant funding, and support grant distribution.
• Provide administrative and technical oversight and lead city interactions for the community wastewater flow allocation calculations, which form the billing foundation for the municipal wastewater charge.
• Provide expert guidance on Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) determinations, explaining and tailoring criteria to balance development and maintain revenue requirements.
• Collaborate with Plant and Interceptor Engineering sections, Operations, Budget and Revenue, and other departments to develop the 6-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), ensuring project eligibility for Public Facilities Authority (PFA) loan funding and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approval.
• Coordinate meetings with senior leaders, peers, and staff from engineering, water supply planning, water resources, and the Community Development Division.
• Conduct capacity modeling studies, manage the overall system capacity model, and conduct check-ins with engineers and planners to review capacity models for current and planned regional interceptors.
• Support internal sustainability efforts leading energy management and sustainability reporting staff.
• Conduct project site visits and attend meetings with external partners (City officials, Engineers, Public Works staff, etc.) to review the community's flow data and service plans.
• Oversee and manage a team of engineers, planners, and scientists.
• Present to the Council's Environment Committee, Committee of the Whole, or full Council, and state legislature in support of the Governor's policy and budget recommendations related to programs under this position .

Minimum Qualifications

• Any of the following combinations of experience (in planning and/or engineering in local and/or regional government, and experience in high-level communications between local and regional government) and completed education (degree field of study): Planning, or Engineering (Environmental, Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical, or closely related field): Bachelor’s degree AND seven (7) years of experience, INCLUDING at least three (3) or more years of experience supervising employees and teams AND registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota or the ability to become licensed in MN, within six (6) months of hire. Master's degree or higher AND five (5) years of experience, INCLUDING at least three (3) or more years of experience supervising employees and teams AND registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota or the ability to become licensed in MN, within six (6) months of hire. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): Experience with engineering principles in the conveyance and treatment of sanitary wastewater systems, interceptor systems, and local conveyance capacity analysis, and sewer modeling. Experience with local development drivers and planning processes. Experience with water sustainability and integrated water planning principles. Customer-oriented project delivery. Experience with sanitary sewer and wastewater conveyance and system engineering: advanced knowledge of engineering principles in the conveyance and treatment of sanitary wastewater systems, interceptor systems, and local conveyance capacity analysis, and sewer modeling. Land use and regional planning concepts: thorough understanding of local and regional land use planning concepts, municipal zoning ordinances, and urban growth boundary administration related to demand projection, service planning, and community agreements. Public utility finance and capital improvement programming: knowledge of capital improvement planning, municipal budgeting, state and federal funding structures (such as PFA grants/loans and general obligation bonds), procurement, and contract and agreement negotiation and administration. Environmental law and statutory frameworks: Clean Water Act standards and state environmental permits (MPCA, DNR, MDH). Intergovernmental negotiation and conflict resolution: Exceptional human relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to negotiate matters of substantial value, build consensus among conflicting parties, and navigate highly sensitive political and administrative environments. Skilled at seeing multiple perspectives, identifying distinctions and relationships, and creating shared understanding and mental models. What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job: Knowledge Metropolitan Land Planning Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 473). Met Council Wastewater Discharge Rules. Met Council Wastewater Service Agreement Principles and Policies. Project and Program Management systems for coordinated delivery. Skills High-impact technical communication: Proficient in written and verbal communication, with extensive experience in public speaking, presenting before legislative committees or governing boards, and translating technical scientific/engineering material into accessible, plain-language policy briefs. Enterprise and spatial data proficiency: Mastery of standard enterprise software (Microsoft Office) and a working knowledge of ArcGIS functionality to leverage geospatial datasets and tools. Functionality to leverage geospatial datasets and tools. Abilities Strategic decision-making: ability to make complex decisions in uncertain or ambiguous situations, aligning immediate demands with long-term regional goals. Technical team leadership and coaching: proven ability to manage, supervise, and mentor multidisciplinary technical staff (engineers, planners, administrative, etc.), fostering employee development, performance, and cross-functional collaboration. Interdepartmental Collaboration: ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across division and department lines, breaking down internal silos to achieve integrated solutions and optimal outcomes.
• Any of the following combinations of experience (in planning and/or engineering in local and/or regional government, and experience in high-level communications between local and regional government) and completed education (degree field of study): Planning, or Engineering (Environmental, Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical, or closely related field):
• Bachelor’s degree AND seven (7) years of experience, INCLUDING at least three (3) or more years of experience supervising employees and teams AND registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota or the ability to become licensed in MN, within six (6) months of hire.
• Master's degree or higher AND five (5) years of experience, INCLUDING at least three (3) or more years of experience supervising employees and teams AND registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota or the ability to become licensed in MN, within six (6) months of hire.
• Experience with engineering principles in the conveyance and treatment of sanitary wastewater systems, interceptor systems, and local conveyance capacity analysis, and sewer modeling.
• Experience with local development drivers and planning processes.
• Experience with water sustainability and integrated water planning principles.
• Customer-oriented project delivery.
• Experience with sanitary sewer and wastewater conveyance and system engineering: advanced knowledge of engineering principles in the conveyance and treatment of sanitary wastewater systems, interceptor systems, and local conveyance capacity analysis, and sewer modeling.
• Land use and regional planning concepts: thorough understanding of local and regional land use planning concepts, municipal zoning ordinances, and urban growth boundary administration related to demand projection, service planning, and community agreements.
• Public utility finance and capital improvement programming: knowledge of capital improvement planning, municipal budgeting, state and federal funding structures (such as PFA grants/loans and general obligation bonds), procurement, and contract and agreement negotiation and administration.
• Environmental law and statutory frameworks: Clean Water Act standards and state environmental permits (MPCA, DNR, MDH).
• Intergovernmental negotiation and conflict resolution: Exceptional human relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to negotiate matters of substantial value, build consensus among conflicting parties, and navigate highly sensitive political and administrative environments. Skilled at seeing multiple perspectives, identifying distinctions and relationships, and creating shared understanding and mental models.
• Metropolitan Land Planning Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 473).
• Met Council Wastewater Discharge Rules.
• Met Council Wastewater Service Agreement Principles and Policies.
• Project and Program Management systems for coordinated delivery.

Skills

• High-impact technical communication: Proficient in written and verbal communication, with extensive experience in public speaking, presenting before legislative committees or governing boards, and translating technical scientific/engineering material into accessible, plain-language policy briefs.
• Enterprise and spatial data proficiency: Mastery of standard enterprise software (Microsoft Office) and a working knowledge of ArcGIS functionality to leverage geospatial datasets and tools.
• Functionality to leverage geospatial datasets and tools.

Abilities

Other Qualifications

• Union/Grade: MANA, Grade K FLSA: Exempt Safety Sensitive : No Full Salary Range: $53.76 -$87.25 Hourly / $111, 821 - $181,480 Annually Anticipated Hiring Range: $69.00 - $80.00 Hourly / $143,520- $166,400 Annually What your work environment would be: Work is typically performed in a standard office setting and at various project sites throughout the region. Periodic construction or project site visits will be required. What steps the recruitment process involve: We review your minimum qualifications. We rate your education and experience. We conduct a structured panel interview. We conduct a selection interview. We conduct an Omni-View Assessment If you are new to the Metropolitan Council , you must pass 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 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 .
• What your work environment would be: Work is typically performed in a standard office setting and at various project sites throughout the region. Periodic construction or project site visits will be required. What steps the recruitment process involve: We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.
• We conduct an Omni-View Assessment
• If you are new to the Metropolitan Council , you must pass 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 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 .

Benefits

• We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below: Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80% Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free: Well@Work clinic bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year parking at many job locations fitness centers at many job locations Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources .
• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80% Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80% Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80% Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
• Well@Work clinic bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year parking at many job locations fitness centers at many job locations Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year parking at many job locations fitness centers at many job locations Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources
• parking at many job locations fitness centers at many job locations Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources
• fitness centers at many job locations Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources
• Employee Assistance Program extensive health and wellness programs and resources
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

Supplemental Questions