The Opportunity

The Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance for Community Development (MIPA) seeks to fill a planner position on its staff. The position will be filled at either the Associate Planner or Senior Planner position depending on the qualifications of the applicant selected. An exempt, full-time position, the Associate or Senior Planner will work under the general direction of the MIPA Executive Director, to perform a variety of professional planning assignments and activities. More specifically, the position will be focused on Community Development planning. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Prepares, reviews, and submits grant applications and implements and administers a variety of local, State, and Federal programs, including Community Development Block Grants
• Develops and updates plans including, but not limited to, community comprehensive plans, hazard mitigation plans, housing needs assessments, and regional comprehensive economic development strategies in compliance with programs and regulations for member cities, counties, and the region
• Assists in the identification of community development needs of members and providing subsequent planning and implementation of programs and services to satisfy those needs
• Monitors project and program budgets, assists in budget preparation, and completes financial reports
• Prepares maps and other data products using Microsoft Office Suite, ESRI GIS, and Adobe products
• Conducts research and recommends policy as needed
• All other job duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Compensation and Benefits

The Associate Planner position has a starting salary range of $45,000 - $65,000+; the Senior Planner position has a starting salary range of between $50,000 - $80,000+. The MIPA offers an excellent benefits package including the following: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• A SIMPLE IRA deferred compensation plan with employer match up to 3%;
• 10 days starting vacation, paid sick time, 11 paid holidays, and flexible work hours
• Tuition assistance, professional membership dues, and registration/travel for professional conferences 

Education, Experience, and Skills Desired

The ideal candidate will be a graduate of an accredited college or university, with major coursework in transportation, urban and/or regional planning, community development, public administration, geography, environmental studies, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The candidate should be familiar with planning principles, concepts, techniques, and abilities; understand the relationship among interconnected regional systems, including transportation, built and natural environmental systems, affordable housing, and economic development; and, have a working knowledge of GIS software and Microsoft Office applications. A Master’s degree possession of AICP accreditation is desirable but not required. 

The candidate must be able to work as a team member, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, handle a high volume of work in a busy and demanding environment, effectively prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously, and contribute to the success of those projects.  Accuracy and timeliness in completing assignments is extremely important.

The Organization

The Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance is a regional planning entity comprised of local communities and community development stakeholders in the Central Iowa region. The Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance provides a regional forum to ensure coordination between the public and local, state, and federal agencies regarding planning issues, and to prepare related plans and programs.

How to Apply

Email a cover letter and resume to:

Andrew Collings

Executive Director

Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance

939 Office Park Road, Suite 306

West Des Moines, IA 50265                                               

Email:    acollings@midiowaplanning.org

The Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen before beginning employment with the Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance.

Applications are due November 13.