Senior Planner

Senior Planner at Stratus®

Senior Urban Planner I leads major components of long-range planning, zoning, mobility planning, and policy development projects. This role manages analytical work streams, coordinates multidisciplinary inputs, develops planning recommendations, and produces high-quality deliverables that guide client decision‑making. It frequently interfaces with client teams, community stakeholders, and public agencies, contributing to outreach activities, facilitating discussions, and presenting findings. It supports project management functions, mentors junior staff, and ensures technical accuracy, regulatory alignment, and strategic clarity across all planning outputs.

• Lead significant portions of planning projects, including comprehensive plans, small‑area plans, policy frameworks, zoning assessments, and multimodal studies.
• Conduct and oversee complex zoning and land‑use analyses, including code interpretation, scenario testing, and policy implications.
• Develop planning recommendations, synthesizing spatial analysis, regulatory frameworks, demographic trends, and client goals.
• Prepare key sections of major planning documents, including goals, strategies, implementation steps, and supporting narrative content.
• Conduct advanced GIS spatial analyses, including forecasting, suitability modeling, redevelopment potential, and land‑use capacity.
• Facilitate client and stakeholder meetings, presenting findings, collecting input, and revising recommendations to reflect priorities and constraints.
• Lead components of community engagement, including workshops, charrettes, open houses, and public presentations.
• Evaluate development proposals for zoning compliance, infrastructure implications, transportation impacts, and policy alignment.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineering, architecture, urban design, environmental, and economic specialists.
• Monitor and support project schedules, assisting project managers by tracking deliverables, level‑of‑effort, and task progress.
• Mentor Urban Planner I–III staff, providing oversight, feedback, and training on research, GIS, analyses, and report development.
• Ensure accuracy and quality control of planning analyses, maps, graphics, and written deliverables.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with clients and colleagues, including cross‑functional teams, peers, direct reports, and leadership, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Adapt to changing business needs and priorities, demonstrating flexibility in taking on new responsibilities and adjusting to evolving challenges.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of long‑range planning, zoning regulations, and policy development.
• Knowledge of transportation planning, housing policy, resilience strategies, and infrastructure systems.
• Familiarity with regional planning frameworks and demographic/economic analysis methodologies.
• Understanding of community engagement principles and facilitation strategies.

Skills

• Proficiency in GIS and spatial analysis tools (ArcGIS or QGIS).
• Exceptional writing and communication skills for technical reports and presentations.
• Skilled at preparing visually compelling maps, charts, and planning graphics.
• Strong coordination and organizational skills to manage overlapping deadlines.

Abilities

• Ability to independently lead complex planning tasks and interpret highly technical information.
• Ability to communicate planning concepts clearly to clients, community members, and decision‑makers.
• Ability to guide, mentor, and motivate junior staff.
• Ability to balance multiple work streams, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing key components of large‑scale planning projects.
• Strong portfolio or work samples demonstrating advanced planning, analysis, writing, and map production.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Planning or related discipline.
• AICP certification (or…