Junior Urban Planner

TO APPLY 

Please send a resume or CV, a cover letter, and a three-page writing sample to [email protected] to apply.  

Essential responsibilities, Knowledge/Skills/Abilities, and application process are available on our website, CommunityCHARM.org 

The Junior Urban Planner position will be a key member of TCWP’s community planning team, and work to sustain and further develop TCWP’s resiliency program.  

PROGRAM BACKGROUND 

We provide planning support for communities around the state, focusing on approaches that foster collaboration and holistic solutions to reduce risks from floods and other hazards. We accomplish this through planning, consulting, and education, while working with community staff, elected officials, and decision-makers to engage in data driven, what-if analysis.  Our program is now home to CommunityViz software, an award-winning GIS-based scenario planning application, and we operate within the largest university-based extension program in the nation. We have the advantage of strong partnerships with our sister state agencies and federal partners to ensure that our services reach communities ready to plan for a more sustainable future. Our staff coordinate tightly to make it all happen, and your effort and planning expertise will be felt directly by the communities we serve. 

YOUR ROLE 

Collaborative planning and stakeholder participation are core to our work, and candidates who are passionate about this side of the planning profession will find this a unique and rewarding position. New team members will enhance our program’s impact and work directly with communities to identify and plan for innovative resiliency and risk reduction activities. You will use your planning knowledge and experience to develop and lead projects, scenario-driven plans, and technical assistance activities. As a junior planner, you will work with a team of dedicated planning and GIS staff to undertake and successfully deliver these projects. You and the team will continue to build programmatic partnerships with state and federal partners, communities, and professional associations.  

YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

We welcome experienced, well-rounded applicants from a variety of backgrounds that intersect the planning profession. We are seeking a highly organized, solutions-oriented planning professional to prepare plans, engage communities, and advance the mission of the program. To be successful in this role, you need to have experience supporting various planning projects and a proven track record of teamwork. You are a collaborative problem solver who can bring out the best in our team and projects. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills will allow you to convey our mission, projects, and successes to various audiences.  

BENEFITS 

Optional two days work from home. Employees are eligible for a generous health insurance plan, including dental and vision. PTO starts at 12 personal days a year, 11 paid holidays, and 10 sick leave days. Employees join the Texas Teachers Retirement System (TRS), with employer contribution. Additional retirement savings available. Office culture is casual but earnest about doing good work and helping communities improve their well-being through planning. As university employees, staff will have no-cost access to LinkedIn learning trainings and professional credits.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Leads the preparation of studies, plans, ordinances, GIS analyses, and other planning products for client communities. 
• Organize and facilitate collaborative planning processes, meetings, and workshops with local officials, staff, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.  
• Assist with the development and maintenance of planning and training programs. 
• Facilitate interactive and interdisciplinary discussions related to community development, natural hazard identification, flood risk assessment, flood mitigation project identification, comprehensive and local planning discussions. 

• Develops and maintains relationships with stakeholders.  
• Collaborates with external partners to create new and expanded programs.  
• Assists in identifying funding opportunities.  
• Develops project and program proposals.   
• Develops and updates training materials and delivers training.  

• Delivers planning programs and services utilizing available technology. Utilizes feedback and evaluations to improve program and training effectiveness.  
• Develops effective learning environments for adult and professional audiences 
• Communicate technical information and relay it in non-technical terms. 

This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.  

Minimum Requirements  

• Education – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Experience – Four years of program administration experience.  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities  

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.  
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.  

• Good verbal and written communication skills.  
• Experience, knowledge, or course work in geography, land use planning, urban/regional planning, hydrologic/hydraulic processes, public policy, sustainable development and resilience, landscape architecture, or natural hazards are a plus. 
• Experience in leading planning projects and working collaboratively over a virtual platform are a benefit. 
• Experience in preparing presentations, facilitation, and engaging stakeholders in a workshop setting as an educator are beneficial skills. 
• Experience with participatory planning practices.  

• Public speaking experience. 
• GIS skills are beneficial.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in urban planning or allied discipline. 
• American Institute of Certified Planner certification 

• Certified Floodplain Manager certification 

Other Requirements 

• Occasional evening meetings and overnight travel 
• Ability to move and lift workshop equipment and materials, over 30 pounds 

Texas A&M AgriLife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer