Assistant Planner

Overview

Assistant Planner

Location: St. Paul, MNType: Full‑Time | Salaried | Office-Based | Flex Time Eligible

Help shape the future of communities through thoughtful planning, strong client service, and high-quality work. We are seeking a full-time Assistant Planner to join our St. Paul planning staff. This is an office-based position for someone ready to contribute to active client projects and grow within a multidisciplinary consulting firm.

Working alongside planners, landscape architects, engineers, architects, GIS professionals, and other technical experts, you will support comprehensive plans, parks and recreation plans, downtown and neighborhood plans, housing studies, zoning and development review, consulting planner-of-record services, private development concepts, and public engagement for public- and private-sector clients.

Success in this role requires more than technical planning knowledge. You should be prepared to communicate professionally with internal and external clients, work efficiently, take responsibility for assigned project hours and deliverables, and raise questions or potential issues before they affect a project. In a for-profit, 100% employee-owned firm, the quality and efficiency of each person’s work directly affect our client relationships, project profitability, and continued growth.

We welcome applications from recent graduates and early-career professionals. This is an office-based position because regular in-person collaboration, informal learning, and access to experienced professionals across multiple disciplines are important to developing successful consultants. The selected candidate will receive regular guidance and mentoring while taking on greater technical, client-service, and project responsibilities as their skills, experience, and consulting judgment develop.

MSA specializes in the sustainable development of communities and is proud to be 100% employee-owned. With roots reaching back to 1919, MSA has grown from a rural land survey company into a leading multidisciplinary firm of nearly 550 engineers, architects, planners, funding experts, surveyors, GIS experts, environmental scientists, and more who are committed to making communities better places to live, work, and play. 

Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities

• Research, collect, analyze, and clearly communicate data from a variety of sources• Develop accurate, attractive, and easy-to-understand planning documents that integrate sound policy, clear writing, and effective visual communication• Create maps, ArcGIS Online applications, graphics, planning concepts, presentations, and other materials that help clients and community members understand planning issues and opportunities• Contribute to comprehensive plans, parks and recreation plans, downtown and neighborhood plans, housing studies, zoning and development review, consulting planner-of-record services, private development concepts, and related planning projects• Help plan and facilitate meaningful public engagement activities, including public meetings, workshops, open houses, surveys, and online engagement• Participate in client meetings and communicate professionally with internal and external clients under the direction of more experienced staff• Complete assigned work within contracted scopes, schedules, and budgets while communicating questions, needs, and potential issues promptly• Collaborate effectively with planners, engineers, landscape architects, architects, GIS professionals, and other members of multidisciplinary project teams• Assist with proposals and statements of qualifications that communicate MSA’s experience and approach and support continued firm growth • Travel regularly within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and occasionally throughout the region for client meetings, fieldwork, and public engagement activities; some evening meetings will be required

Qualifications

What you bring

Skills & Knowledge / Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, community development, or a related field required• Relevant planning experience is preferred but not required and may include an internship, consulting experience, public-sector planning, or closely related professional work• Strong written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally with internal and external clients and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team• Experience with—or the demonstrated ability to quickly develop working proficiency in—ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online maps and applications, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams• Ability to responsibly use AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT to support research, analysis, communication, and project production in accordance with MSA policies• Ability to organize assigned work, balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables• Ability and willingness to succeed in a for-profit, employee-owned consulting environment, recognizing that responsive client service, efficient use of project hours, adherence to contracted scopes, budgets, schedules, high-quality deliverables, and project profitability are essential to individual, project, and firm success.• Please be prepared to include a portfolio or work samples demonstrating planning, mapping, graphic communication, written planning work, and/or related project experience. Academic work is welcome

Why MSA

• Immediate ownership with 100+ years of community impact
• Collaborative culture with in-house experts for all disciplines across the firm
• Flexible work‑life integration
• Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
• Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
• Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years

Pay & Benefits*

• Compensation Range: $61,289 –$98,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Flex Time: Work 42 hours this week? Have 2 hours added to your Flex Time balance to use as time off in the future
• ESOP: Receive MSA stock shares annually, at no cost to the employee 
• Medical, dental & vision insurance for you, spouse, domestic partner, and eligible dependents
• 17+ days PTO (potentially higher pending experience) + 8 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave regardless of birth parent
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Short‑term incentive program for annual bonus opportunities 
• Company‑paid life & disability insurance

*Full eligibility requirements for listed benefits will be discussed during the hiring process

MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected]

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer