Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27054 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Amber Gregg
amber.gregg1@montana.edu
406-994-5454
Classification Title Associate Planner Working Title Campus Planner Brief Position Overview
Under the general direction of the Director of PDC and the Planning Manager, this position performs a wide range of planning duties related to long range facilities planning programs for all Montana State University campuses and Montana Ag Experiment Stations (MAES). Primary responsibility of this position is to assist with and administer long range planning efforts and programs designed to meet and support the facilities growth plans, including the Strategic Plan, Long Range Master Planning, Long Range Building Program (LRBP), Capital Planning, Facilities Condition Inventory, space planning, transportation planning, wayfinding, and historic preservation. The position requires knowledge and skills managing resources, proficiency in written and oral communication and consensus building. The position duties include developing narratives and cost analysis of projects, programming efforts, inventorying space assets, and condition assessments, to assist the larger planning team, Director, and Associate Vice President. Related responsibilities include the management of data such as comprehensive Capital Projects database for major maintenance, additions, renovation, and historic preservation projects, and new construction projects.
Position Number 4M1170 Department Campus Planning, Design & Construction Division University Services Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $31.507 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Associate Planner will support and assist with planning responsibilities; prioritizing capital projects and long-range planning needs; and maintaining records and recommendations for future campus needs. The position exercises a high level of interpersonal and effective communication skills with university executives, campus constituent groups and state agencies. In addition, this position requires discretion and confidentiality in developing information pertaining to projects and plans until vetted, approved and ready for release, as well as planning skills to facilitate the thoughtful growth of the MSU-Bozeman campus and contribute to the additional MSU campuses and MAES operations as one university. This position will coordinate with senior level planners, the PDC Director, Space Management, AVP University Services, VP Admin & Finance and the Office of Planning and Analysis, Registrar’s Office, Provost Office, Deans, Department Heads, Faculty, Staff and students to make decisions regarding long range planning.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate the Long-Range Building Program Priority Capital Projects List for Legislative appropriations for all MSU campuses and MAES. Requires attention to a two-year cyclical timeline of scheduled document production, coordination with state entities, presentations and data entry into the state computer system.
- Create and manage a comprehensive Capital Projects Database, which includes capital construction projects, building inventory and data.
- Coordinate the accreditation (Standard 8) for PDC and Facilities Services.
- Coordinate with State A&E, Governors Budget Office, OCHE and Board of Regents related to LRBP and long-range planning, development project projections, feasibility studies.
- Update and maintain Physical Plant Policies, procedures, web reports and data access and coordination with the Building Supervisors.
- Manage planning related projects such as biannual campus aerial mapping and other joint projects with the City of Bozeman.
- Administer long-range building projects list for capital planning.
- Develop Request for Proposals/Request for Qualifications for facilities projects and planning consultants.
- Verify planning data through physical inspection of facilities, including team participation in Facilities Condition Inventory.
- Perform project estimates and valuations using industry standards (RS Means publications and MSU Project Estimator.)
- Establish and maintain a historic preservation project reporting process.
- Create initial project request files.
- Represent PDC to constituent committees – including University Facilities Planning Board, Transportation Advisory Committee, Public Art Committee, ADA Facilities Advisory Committee, Space Management Committee, project team evaluation and job search committees.
- Support or Develop campus space related projects including but not limited to space audits, staff reports, and utilization tracking and analysis.
- Research, write, and edit documents for publication and oral presentations.
- Participate and/or lead grant writing efforts.
- Develop and maintain campus wayfinding standards and guidelines.
- Coordinate and manage campus facilities planning, design, and construction standards and guidelines.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Planner I
- Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public policy, or related field, plus at least one year of experience in facilities planning, urban/land use or long-range planning, capital projects management and planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Planning experience which demonstrates competency in strategic, capital, and long-range planning; space management project programming and budgeting; project management; and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage diverse activities and people.
- Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and general familiarity with specialized fields within planning.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection.
- Proficiency with computer hardware and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), GIS and web-based interfaces.
- Knowledge of long-range planning concepts, capital projects development, floor plans and drawings reading.
Planner II
- Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public policy, or related field, plus four years’ experience in facilities planning, urban/land use or long-range planning, capital projects management and planning, or a Master’s degree in the same with two years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Planning experience which demonstrates competency in strategic, capital, and long-range planning; space management project programming and budgeting; project management; and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage diverse activities and people.
- Well-developed knowledge of planning principles and practices and in-depth knowledge of one or more planning specialties.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection.
- Proficiency with computer hardware and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), GIS and web-based interfaces.
- Knowledge of long-range planning concepts, capital projects development, floor plan and drawings reading.
Planner III
- Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public policy, or related field, plus eight (8) or more years’ experience in facilities planning, urban/land use or long-range planning, capital projects management and planning, or a Master’s degree in the same with six (6) years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year.
- Planning experience which demonstrates competency in strategic, capital, and long-range planning; space management project programming and budgeting; project management; and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage diverse activities and people.
- Advanced knowledge of planning philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques, and well-developed knowledge of one or more planning specialties.
- In depth knowledge of institutional/campus planning and capital planning, long-range planning, and wayfinding.
- Experience in design and construction processes, including project scheduling, budgeting and contracts.
- Knowledge of principles, methodology, and practices of research and data collection.
- Proficiency in computer hardware and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), GIS and web-based interfaces.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) certification.
- Experience writing, designing and presenting technical data using a variety of media including spreadsheets, charts, tables, and graphs.
- Experience with CAD and or GIS.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Communicate effectively.
- Be diplomatic.
- Multitask and organize complex and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
- Represent Planning, Design & Construction and its programs to others in a professional and courteous manner.
- Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
- Solve problems creatively.
- Develop presentations and deliver them orally.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective writing techniques.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position has the opportunity to be filled with internal titles of Planner I, Planner II, or Planner III, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
- Long segments of time on a personal computer.
- Perform project inspections/field investigations indoors and outdoors by traversing moderate distances, ascending/descending stairs and/or ladders, and ascending catwalks.
- Occasional transporting and moving items up to 20 lbs.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on
August 26, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
Supplemental Questions
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