MightyRecruiterUrban and regional planners solve transportation, development and other infrastructure-related problems in the areas they serve. They may be involved in the planning of new schools and parks as well as improved traffic patterns and expansion of commercial centers.
Decision-making and analytical skills are the most important qualities for an individual in this position, so emphasize those traits in your urban and regional planner job description. A skilled urban and regional planner will also be an accomplished researcher who communicates well and is able to manage others.
Before you begin writing your urban and regional planner job description, think about the exact role your new employee will play in your organization. For example, if your area needs urban revitalization, state that in your ad. On the other hand, if your new staff member will be focusing mostly on transportation planning, be sure to include that information in your posting.
Urban and Regional Planner Job Summary
Are you an experienced urban and regional planner with a knack for urban revitalization? If so, our development company is searching for someone like you for our newest waterfront redevelopment project. For this exciting undertaking, you would be working on a team of world-class architects, designers, civil engineers and planners to create and implement a new vision for Big City’s Old Marina District. Our primary plan is to transform the area into a modern, mixed-use historic district, incorporating new offices and multifamily buildings with historical buildings, restaurants, shops and 150 acres of greenspace. We are looking for qualified candidates with experience in all phases of urban planning make this project a reality.
Job Responsibilities
- Become an expert on local building and zoning codes, land use policies and environmental regulations through meetings with interested parties and independent research
- Conduct impact studies, surveys and other investigations before developing a plan that takes economic, environmental and social factors into account
- Analyze data to determine and recommend an appropriate course of action in each facet of development, including project scope, traffic flow and water and waste management
- Lead team in researching, applying for and obtaining approvals, permits and certifications from relevant granting authorities, presenting survey and feasibility study reports and meeting with public officials as necessary
- Represent our agency in a professional capacity as we collaborate with city, county and state representatives, attorneys, engineers, local transit and port authority personnel, as well as local businesspeople and the general public
- Supervise, direct and mentor junior team members, including entry-level planning and engineering staff
- Coordinate and oversee committees and monitor their progress
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, community development, urban studies or similar field
- Five or more years of experience, at least two in a responsible (supervisory or team lead) position
- Excellent communication skills
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in planning, community development, urban studies or similar field
- Ten or more years of experience, at least five in a responsible position
Urban and Regional Planner Job Responsibilities
Finding the right candidate for an open position can be a challenge, but it gets easier when your urban and regional planner job description is clear and easy for jobseekers to understand. A big part of that gets determined by the job responsibilities section of the description. That’s because those responsibilities let applicants know what you will expect of them. When they are concise, direct and specific, jobseekers can more easily see to see how they would fit into that role.
As you write your urban and regional planner job responsibilities, try to distill the main duties of the role down to between six and eight of the most pivotal tasks a candidate needs to be ready to take on. Clear communication means using active language to bypass wordy constructions. It also means starting each bullet point with an action verb that allows a reader to see him or herself in the role, performing those tasks. Here are a few other job responsibilities you might find in a well-written urban and regional planner job description.
- Research the impact of various conservation initiatives in the assigned area of operation
- Promote local environmental conservation projects and initiatives
- Communicate the details of those initiatives to the public throughout the planning process
- Take feedback from the public for use in revising and finalizing conservation initiatives
Urban and Regional Planner Job Specifications
Writing solid job responsibilities that communicate the role well is important, but just as important is writing out a qualifications and skills section that adds context to those duties. By including urban and regional planner job specifications that really speak to the core skills and the educational knowledge base the role needs, you can help jobseekers self-select more accurately when they are deciding whether or not your open job is a good fit for them.
The key to making this part of your urban and regional planner job description stand out is to be both brief and specific. Remember, there is no need for explanation or examples. Those are for the candidate to provide through a resume or an interview. Focus on completeness, though, and on having the research about the role completed. Talk to people who know the job closely, and make sure you reflect on common skills and credentials that should be on every urban and regional planner job description. There are a few examples of vital skills below.
- Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning or a similar field
- Proficiency with CAD programs such as CADkey and AutoCAD
- Strong base of knowledge about local building codes and environmental regulations
- High degree of problem sensitivity and the flexibility to respond quickly
