EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

COGs offer a variety of exciting and impactful positions that allow team members to do hands on planning work, to make a significant impact in communities and opportunities to attend and work with important city and county officials.

Employment opportunities are posted for 60 days at no cost to ICOG members. For non-members, a posting fee of $50 applies.

Bi-State Regional Commission

Posted date: 07.15.2026

Executive Director

Wage

$135,000-$160,000

Duties

Bi-State Regional Commission is seeking a practical, collaborative, and forward-looking regional executive to lead one of the Midwest’s most distinctive bi-state planning and intergovernmental organizations. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected regional commission through its first Executive Director transition in more than 25 years while advancing transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and regional cooperation across a five-county, two-state region (the `Quad Cities’ on the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois).

Click here to learn more: https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment/bi-state-regional-commission-bsrc-il-executive-director/

Applications

Contact Clay Pearson, Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment at claypearson@governmentresource.com | 713-816-8639

Mid Iowa Development Association Council Of Governments (MIDAS)

Posted date: 06.18.2026

Community Development Director

Wage

$60,000-$108,599 (depending upon qualifications)

Duties

MIDAS Council of Governments, a six-county regional planning agency in northwest Iowa, is seeking an individual to join our team as the Community Development Director. MIDAS Council of Governments was established in 1974 to help member governments in Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster, and Wright Counties thrive.

The Community Development Director will perform a variety of administrative duties and oversee the daily operations of the agency’s Community Development Department, including organizing, directing, coordinating, planning, and evaluating the operations, programs, activities, and services. We are looking for candidates with knowledge of professional level duties in community planning and development, municipal operations, and local, state, and federal grants and laws.

The Community Development Director will also work with communities in the region on a variety of projects. The position requires some travel and night meetings. This position will primarily work from the MIDAS office in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Preferred qualifications: MIDAS is seeking a highly motivated individual with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field, and at least four years of experience. The individual must be proficient with the Microsoft Office suite and possess effective communication and writing skills. Experience with ArcGIS Pro is desired but not required. A valid driver’s license is required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

The position is covered under the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) along with an excellent benefit package including vacation, holiday and sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible health spending account, life insurance, and short and long-term disability.

For more information about MIDAS Council of Governments, visit our website: https://www.midascogia.net/.

Applications

If interested in the position, please submit a cover letter and resume on the MIDAS website under Employment Opportunities: https://www.midascogia.net/about_us/employment_opportunities.php

This position is open until filled, and the first review of applications will take place on June 30, 2026.



Please contact Stacy Lentsch, Executive Director, at slentsch@midascog.net or 515-576-7183 for any questions.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO)

Posted date: 06.16.2026

Community Development Specialist - Planner

Wage

Salary range is $50,000 to $75,000 annually DOQ with an excellent benefits package.

Duties

SWIPCO seeks someone passionate about improving the lives of rural Iowans to join our team as a Community Development Specialist – Planner. The ideal candidate must be caring and want to build the future of our region and be an active participant in change. This is a permanent, full-time career track position with excellent potential for growth.

A background in planning is preferred but other disciplines will be considered. Types of work include but are not limited to: grant applications and management for infrastructure and housing projects, hazard mitigation planning, city zoning, comprehensive and strategic planning, and regional transportation planning.

If you have any questions about the position please contact Executive Director John McCurdy at john.mccurdy@swipco.org. This is an anticipated entry level planner position, but higher levels of experience would be strongly considered as well.

Applications

Potential candidates should visit http://www.swipco.org/career-opportunities-rfp-s/ for more information. To apply submit a cover letter, application, resume, and three references to daurine.petersen@swipco.org. Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on

Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO)

Posted date: 06.16.2026

Administrative Assistant - TEMP

Wage

$18.50/hr

Duties

Southwest Iowa Planning Council and Southwest Iowa Transit Agency seek a temporary administrative assistant for the Atlantic office. The anticipated start date is July 1st and will run through August 21st, with week extensions possible. The position will be M-F with a minimum of 24 hours/week, up to 36 hours/week.

This position acts as a primary point of contact between the agencies and the public, both in person and over the phone. The position is also responsible for normal office activities such as filing, copies, mail and dispatching of calls. The successful candidate must be organized, outgoing, able to multi-task, and have good computer and telephone skills. At least 2 years experience in a professional office setting are encouraged.

Wage is $18.50/hr and we are an IPERS employer.

Applications

Application materials are available at www.swipco.org or by calling 712-243-4196. Along with the application, applicants should also submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. SWIPCO is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA)

Posted date: 05.20.2026

Deputy Director

Salary

$103,658 - $161,247 (DOQ) 

Duties

This is a professional administrative position at a supervisory level. The Deputy Director provides executive-level leadership across all agency departments, serving as the primary operational partner to the Executive Director and working to provide continuity at the agency level. The Deputy Director exercises agency-wide authority and accountability in areas of budget development and implementation, legal and compliance, information technology, strategic planning and agency policy.

The starting salary ranges from $103,658 - $161,247 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience. This is a full time exempt position. MAPA offers generous employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family friendly work environment and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Our office is located close to downtown Omaha, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly environment. MAPA reserves the right to hire at an appropriate level. MAPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). 

Click here to learn more: https://mapacog.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Deputy-Director-Ad-Final.pdf

Applications

Interested candidates should apply online by clicking this link: https://mapa.bamboohr.com/careers/33?source=aWQ9MjU%3D. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume with their application. Resumes and applications will be accepted through Friday, June 26, 2026.