Planning Specialist

Full Job Description

The Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health Department is hiring three Planning Specialist positions in the Administration; Epidemiology, Preparedness & Resilience; and Healthy Communities divisions.

The Planning Specialist in the Administration Division will perform a variety of high-level planning functions in support of the department. As part of the Planning and Performance Improvement Team, their primary responsibility will be data analyses using public and private sources, data visualizations/storytelling, oversight of the open data portal, and facilitating presentations to various audiences (e.g., elected officials, community groups, internal Ramsey County staff). Survey development and analysis using Qualtrics for primary research is also part of this role. Strong candidates will have experience in supporting development, monitoring, and updating department-wide plans and initiatives; and experience with data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, PowerBI, ArcGIS).

The Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Planning Specialist in the Epidemiology, Preparedness & Resilience Division will support the county’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies and emerging threats.

Key responsibilities include supporting Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grant requirements; developing, updating, and exercising all-hazards and hazard-specific plans; and integrating epidemiologic trends, climate-related health risks, community vulnerability data, and equity considerations into preparedness strategies.

Strong candidates will have experience in emergency preparedness planning, cross-sector coordination, and integration of epidemiologic trends and climate-related health considerations into actionable plans that strengthen public health readiness and community resilience.

The Planning Specialist in the Healthy Communities Division will develop, implement and evaluate the County’s cannabis and substance use prevention work to reduce the prevalence of cannabis and other substance misuse in Ramsey County.

As part of the Community Engagement and Health Promotion Team, their primary responsibility will be to design and implement evidence-based educational materials and recovery programs informed by community needs, key stakeholders and County leadership.

Strong candidates will have experience in cannabis or substance use prevention programming; community engagement; policy, system and environmental changes; designing health promotion interventions; as well as grant reporting and evaluation.

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 job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list of job descriptions.

This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment.

Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy.

To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.

Requirements

1. 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.
2. Coordinate the work of county and applicable community groups to develop, implement plans and structures to carry out strategies and action steps.
3. Analyze trends, research data, and changes in laws, rules and regulations to determine impact on the county or department and make recommendations for response.
4. 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.
5. Coordinate with state and regional planning and implementation efforts related to the targeted population.
6. Develop recommendations to integrate and coordinate county efforts across departments to improve the response to the needs of the population.
7. Develop recommendations regarding the level and distribution of funding necessary to meet the needs of the target population.
8. Develop and implement targeted fundraising strategies to raise private and public non-county resources to help meet the needs of the target population.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Prepare plans, charts, reports, and other documents for use by other persons or groups affected by or involved in planning functions.
12. Analyze proposals submitted to the department for funding and make recommendations based on needs, appropriateness of service, and availability of funding.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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, 15.

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.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Additional 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” Do not cut and paste resume as a response.

Please answer all of the supplemental questions clearly and completely, failure to do so may affect your ability to move forward in the hiring process.

The names of all applicants who have submitted a 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. Applicants will remain on the list for 90 days here 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.

In addition, you may be subject to one or more of the following:

Pre-employment Health Screening

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 the 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, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance 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 being 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.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. 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 nirvana.wallace@co.ramsey.mn.us