Planning and Economic Analyst

Development Economics Team Opportunity

Strong communities don't just happen. They're thoughtfully planned and future-ready. We bring life to urban downtowns, suburban hubs, small towns, and rural areas through master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, parks, and recreation facilities. The result: vibrant economic centers, resilient neighborhoods, and welcoming places that feel like home. Your Opportunity You will be the next team member in Stantec's national Development Economics team. We analyze the context for development and revitalization in local communities, providing strategies and implementation steps to surmount challenges and advance local goals. If hired, you would be joining a technical power center within Stantec. We also work hard to create an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. We are active in developing industry-leading methodologies for understanding real estate, housing, and economic dynamics in local communities. We put research to work in support of urban planning projects, and housing and economic development strategies. The Development Economics team is based in Minneapolis and situated within the Minneapolis urban planning team. We work closely with Stantec planning teams across North Americaand support Stantec teams in additional disciplines such as transportation, parks/recreation, infrastructure, and land development. The breadth of projects provides continual opportunities for creativity and deepening our expertise. We are seeking a colleague that brings economic analysis and data science skillsets, and an understanding of how those relate to urban planning, community development, economic development, and/or real estate. You would employ your economic lens and technical skills to support project types such as market analysis, economic development strategies, housing studies, economic impact analysis, fiscal impact analysis, and development implementation strategies. Importantly, we are also looking for a colleague who values and would contribute to a work culture where all team members feel supported and valued.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Utilize analytical methodologies and research interviews to build an understanding of a broad range of local planning and development contexts, within which you shape strategies and recommendations for achieving community goals.
• Utilize and build your knowledge of local planning practices, policies and regulations, and how they intersect with the built environment.
• Utilize data analysis software and methodologiesideally including python-based workflowsto gather and analyze data from structured and unstructured sources.
• Utilize spatial analysis methodologies in open-source and/or ArcGIS-based platforms to organize, transform and visualize spatial data.
• Utilize and develop statistical models to explain and predict real estate markets or related geographic phenomena.
• Generate visually appealing exhibits that tell a convincing story.
• Leverage strong written, visualization, and verbal communication skills to summarize complex data, and to convey information to technical and non-technical audiences

Anticipated tasks include:

• Drafting and supporting development market research for plans of all scales (e.g. neighborhood, city, region, etc) and site-based development studies.
• Drafting presentation and narrative content for housing studies, economic development strategies, and the development aspects of planning projects.
• Conducting interviews of developers and real estate professionals to deepen insights relative to geographic areas of focus.
• Conducting demographic, economic, and market data analysis utilizing coding and spreadsheet methodologies.
• Preparing map exhibits that illustrate patterns of land use and development, and features that illuminate their market context and potential opportunities.
• Conducting strategy and best practices research on housing, retail and financial strategies in support of housing and development studies.
• Coordinating with multiple parties including internal teams, consultant partners, and clients.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Be interested in learning all facets of planning and development, and in bringing projects from concept to deliverable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using statistical software, including either R or Python, for advanced data gathering, processing, analysis, and visualization.
• Understanding of urban economics, real estate development and urban planning.
• Orientation toward collaboration and team building.
• Strong writing, verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for preparing analysis and delivering high-quality, visually appealing reports.
• Ability to work independently and apply strong critical thinking skills.

Preferred Capabilities and Credentials

• Experience with statistical modelssuch as econometric, time-series model forecasting, auto-regression, and machine learning modelsto explain and predict real estate markets or geographic phenomena.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro or other GIS platform.
• Knowledge and experience with market and development research platforms.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: Geography, Applied Economics, Data Science, Urban Planning, or related field.
• Master's degree in an economics-related field is preferred.
• 1 to 4 years of related professional experience.

Stantec offers competitive compensation and benefits to assist employees and their families with medical and dental coverage, long-term disability income replacement, and retirement savings. Join us and redefine your personal best.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what's previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what's possible. If you're passionate about empowering communities, join us to discover a career with endless opportunities to make communities more equitable, resilient, and livable.

Pay Range:

Locations in MN, VT, & Various CA, NY Areas - Min Salary $ 70,600.00 - Max Salary $ 98,800.00

Benefits Summary:

Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law). Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

Primary Location: United States | MN | Minneapolis

Organization: 1903 CommDev-US North Central-Minneapolis MN

Employee Status: Regular

Travel: Yes

Schedule: Full time

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.