Position Summary
The current vacancy is in the Community and Economic Development (CED) department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
The Community and Economic Development (CED) department has two current vacancies for a Planning Specialist. One current vacancy will focus on supporting housing infrastructure planning and program management and a second vacancy with that supporting economic growth activities including redevelopment projects and business and entrepreneurship supports.
The Community & Economic Development Planning Specialist position will support Ramsey County through coordination, implementation, and accountability of the strategies identified in the county’s Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan (ECI Plan).
More detailed information on this role can be found here: Planning Specialist 2026.
This position provides support to the Community and Economic Development department's planning and evaluation function, including analyzing regulations and statutes, analyzing existing and future program goals, and providing recommendations about program design; to ensure programs are being developed and maintained with a racial equity focus.
Basic Function: To develop comprehensive long and short-range plans, projects and programs in the area assigned; to develop recommendations on policies, procedures, or services in response to specific issues, problems or disputes; to provide leadership and coordination of projects, procedures and plans in the area of specialization or department assigned; to review, services and programs to develop recommendations for service changes or to make budget recommendations; and to perform related duties as assigned.
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed
- Conduct studies, needs assessments and special projects to determine the need for and type of changes required in services in response to changes in the environment and make recommendations for departmental implementation.
- Coordinate the work of county and applicable community groups to develop, implement plans and structures to carry out strategies and action steps.
- Analyze trends, research data, and changes in laws, rules and regulations to determine impact on the county or department and make recommendations for response.
- Participate with other staff in developing and implementing long- and short-range plans to address changing service needs, changes in legislation, and to respond to specific problem areas.
- Coordinate with state and regional planning and implementation efforts related to the targeted population.
- Develop recommendations to integrate and coordinate county efforts across departments to improve the response to the needs of the population.
- Develop recommendations regarding the level and distribution of funding necessary to meet the needs of the target population.
- Develop and implement targeted fundraising strategies to raise private and public non-county resources to help meet the needs of the target population.
- Analyze evaluation data on services provided or purchased by the county or department for compliance with goals and objectives and recommend corrective action where necessary.
- Represent the county or department at community and government meetings to explain department policies, programs and services as they relate to a target population or specific projects, and to participate in problem-solving meetings.
- Prepare plans, charts, reports, and other documents for use by other persons or groups affected by or involved in planning functions.
- Analyze proposals submitted to the department for funding and make recommendations based on needs, appropriateness of service, and availability of funding.
- Facilitate, on an ongoing basis, the work of a planning team of professionals from the operating departments or divisions to review problems and service needs to establish an appropriate course of action.
- Prepare legislative proposals in response to the needs identified for a target population or in order to meet other needs identified to more effectively serve County residents.
- Depending on department assignment, job responsibilities will vary.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Social or Behavioral Sciences or related field.
Experience: Four years of experience in planning, service delivery, or a related function appropriate to the department assigned.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for Planning Specialist. will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions –do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Planning Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader). You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact: Lindsey.Hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
- Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
- MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
- VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
- Pre-tax Benefit Program
- Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
- Paid time off
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
- Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
- Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
- Retirement benefits
- Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
- New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
- Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
- Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
- Transit and parking
- Fully funded Metropass.
- Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
- Employee well-being
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
- Life Insurance and Disability leave
- County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
- Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
- Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
- Career development
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
- Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
01
- Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Select "yes" if you have read and understand.
- Yes
- No
02
Please select the option that best applies to you if you have completed or are currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County.
- HIRED Partnership Program
- Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Partnership Program
- Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
- Ramsey County Internship (including Right Track Plus)
- Fellowship at Ramsey County
- Limited-Duration Assignment at Ramsey County
- Provisional Assignment at Ramsey County
- Temporary Opportunity at Ramsey County
- Work Experience Program (e.g., Young Adult Career Academy)
- Job Shadow Experience at Ramsey County
- No, I have not participated in any of the above
03
- Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.
- High school diploma or GED
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- Doctoral Degree
- None of the above
04
- If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please describe below your field of study, the name of the school, dates of attendance/completion and type of degree. If you have other formal training and certifications related to this position, you may include that here. If you do not have a degree/college credit, please write N/A in the space below. DO NOT WRITE see resume or see application.
05
Which option best describes your professional experience working in a planning, service delivery, or a related function in a community and economic development environment?
- I have no professional community and economic development experience.
- I have more than 6 months but less than 1 year of professional community and economic development experience.
- I have 1 year but less than 2 years of professional community and economic development experience.
- I have 2 years but less than 3 years of professional community and economic development experience.
- I have 3 years but less than 4 years of professional community and economic development experience.
- I have 4 or more years of professional community and economic development experience.
- I have a Masters degree in a related field of community and economic development to substitute for 2 of the 4 years required for this position.
06
If you indicated in question above that you have experience in planning, or working in a community, economic development environment, describe this experience below. Please include any relevant experience in housing programs, client income verification, real estate projects, federal grant management including CDBG and HOME, and/or small business programming. Describe your experience working in an urban planning, community development, economic development or related role. Please feel free to describe specific projects, contributions, etc. Include in your answer the following information; the name of the employer you worked for; your job title; a brief description of your duties; your dates of employment (mo/yr to mo/yr); and whether it was full-time or part-time. If it was part-time include the number of hours you worked per week. Do not write "see resume" or "see application". If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
07
Describe your experience managing data; performing data analysis and providing recommendations based on your research and analysis. Be specific and describe the programs/projects, your employer and your role within the project. If you do not have this experience, write NA in the space below.
08
Describe your experience using data visualization tools, including GIS tools. Please feel free to describe specific projects and contributions where you visualized data including GIS. If you do not have this experience, write NA in the space below
09
Describe your experience working on a project or program that advanced racial equity. What was the project, how did that project come to be, what was your role in the project, and the impact of your work? If you do not have this experience, write NA in the space below.
