Airport Planner

Position Summary

Join our team as an Airport Planner and help shape the future of aviation!

The Airport Planner will, under direction from the Director of Airport Planning, develop airport planning documents and programs for the Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and the six Reliever Airports. The position is responsible for the planning and coordination of long-term plans/master plans and airport layout plans, building relationships with other MAC departments, airport tenants and with other governmental jurisdictions, and the Federal Aviation Administration, MnDOT Aeronautics, and the Metropolitan Council. Other responsibilities will include managing airport zoning and variance processes, environmental review processes for facility development, as well as managing gate plots and simulations for aircraft movements and passenger flows for MSP. This position will help the Director of Planning with budgeting and project programming for the Planning business unit. The successful candidate will have an interest in and passion for aviation, have vision, excellent critical thinking skills, and the ability to self-start planning projects with minimal guidance from the Director of Planning.

To apply: click the "Apply" link located just above the position description, log-in and follow the instructions provided.
 
Questions regarding this position can be directed to Alaina Reede at Alaina.Reede@mspmac.org or 612********** Applications will be accepted until 3:00 PM on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St Paul International (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MAC airports each year.

Position Description

Project Administration

• Integrate MAC’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals into all areas of responsibility
• Coordinates planning decisions with the Director of Planning
• Manages technical documents and analysis for all seven of the MAC airports, while coordinating appropriate documentation and decision making with the Director of Planning
• Manages airport planning projects and documents, project scopes, project budgets and project schedules, including airport zoning processes for all seven airports
• Management of MSP and reliever long-term plans/master plans and airport layout plans, including the development and evaluation of conceptual alternatives for major elements of airport infrastructure including airfield, passenger terminal, landside access, cargo, and support areas
• Manage state airport safety zoning and variance processes
• Manage environmental review processes for facility development
• Review design day flight schedules, peak hour demand profiles, and related data to provide/review/evaluate passenger and air traffic demand 
• Create and deliver presentation content for stakeholders, MAC staff, airlines airport tenants and consultants to review projects and keep them updated and informed as projects move through schedules and phases
• Coordinate planning document preparation with appropriate regulatory agencies, cities, counties, and the state in compliance with FAA/MnDOT criteria, rules and standards
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight and mature judgment in anticipating and solving unpredictable problems
• Ensures MAC compliance of all planning program projects by reviewing documents with the Director of Planning
• Remain current on trends in airport construction and the aviation industry

Cross-Departmental/Divisional

• Assist the Director of Planning in communicating planning efforts to keep other groups informed of planning impacts related to their divisions by participating in required meetings
• Serve as a technical specialist for various assignments and tasks relating to but not limited to airport and aviation facilities for all seven airports

Divisional

• Assist the Director of Planning with the annual planning operational budget
• Assist the Director of Planning with reviewing updates to FAA, Metropolitan Council and MnDOT documents related to regional planning, Advisory Circulars, zoning ordinances, local building and zoning codes and compatibility guidelines
• Assist the Director of Planning with reviews of local city, county, and township comprehensive plan updates and coordinate MAC participation and responses when required
• Participate as a panel member in the selection of consultants for planning work in accordance with the Commission’s Consultants’ Selection and Use Policy
• Assist the Director of Planning with the airport planning continuing consultant annual performance reviews
  

• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions
• Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward
• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm
• Optimize Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Ensures Accountability - Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Values Differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of unique needs of different audiences
• Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity
• Self-Development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels
• Situational Adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations

Position Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Planning or Airport Planning and Management, Urban, Regional or City Planning, Engineering, Environmental Planning, Architecture or a related field
• 3 or more years of airport planning experience
• Knowledge and application of planning project workflows
• Ability to execute projects in a timely manner
• Ability to create relationships with agencies to effectively communicate messaging
• Experience with general aviation comprehensive plans as well as Airport Layout Plans (ALPs)
• Experience with project budgets, timelines, and execution of planning projects
• Comprehensive knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, guidelines, advisory circulars
• Ability to oversee multiple projects at once, while ensuring the highest quality of planning is achieved
• Ability to prepare, execute, and facilitate stakeholder outreach efforts with minimal supervision
• Familiar with state and federal airport programs, criteria and standards to planning projects
• Experience with airport planning and environmental document processes
• Experience with reviewing and developing approvable FAA forecast documents
• Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including experience with effective presentations to large groups

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience with air carrier airport comprehensive plans as well as Airport Layout Plans (ALPs)
• 2 years or more of project management experience
• Private Pilot’s License
• Understanding or some experience with what it takes to manage consultant teams
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and concepts of project budgets, timelines, and execution of planning projects
• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of fundamentals for multiple projects at once
• Familiar with airport simulation models and construction of model inputs
• Experience with State of Minnesota airport zoning ordinances and Joint Airport Zoning Boards
• Experienced in project management of both large-hub airport and general aviation comprehensive plans as well as Airport Layout Plans (ALPs)
• Experience with either AutoCAD, GIS, SIMMOD, or Path Planner; and possess an understanding of the appropriate level of graphic support needed to convey ideas, alternatives, and general information to the public
• Familiarity with aviation databases, including FAA Aviation Systems Performance Measures, FAA’s Official Airline Guide, Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring Systems, and other federal/state database systems
• Pilot/air traffic movement experience for hub and general aviation airports
• Knowledge of annual capital improvement programming
• Master’s degree in Aviation Planning, Airport Planning and Management, Urban, Regional or City 
• Knowledge of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations and guidelines