Planning Student or Recent Graduate

Urban Systems; Surrey; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm in community planning is seeking 4 enthusiastic Planning Students for 4- or 8-month work terms starting May 2026 in Surrey, BC. Candidates will support diverse community planning projects, including land use and transportation planning, while benefiting from hands-on experience with seasoned professionals. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a background in accredited planning programs. This opportunity offers a competitive hourly wage between $24.00 and $27.00 and additional benefits.

Benefits

Hourly rate of $24.00 – $27.00

Relocation assistance

Monthly transit subsidy

Paid sick leave

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Able to assist with community planning practices including but not limited to land use planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective reporting and engagement.
• Experience with research methods for quantitative and qualitative data.

Responsibilities

• Support planning projects on various community-based initiatives.
• Collaborate with a diverse team to prepare presentations and reports.
• Engage in research and public consultation activities.

Skills

Motivated

Curious

Detail-Oriented

Relationships Focused

Communication

Research

Problem-Solving

Education

Currently enrolled in or graduated from a Canadian Institute of Planners accredited planning program

Urban studies, urban development or related background

Job description

Overview

We are looking to add 4 enthusiastic Planning Students from a Professional Standard Board-accredited planning program, or planning-related undergraduate program, for a 4- or 8-month work term starting in May 2026!

At Urban Systems, we understand your need to have meaningful experiences during your work terms. We strive to provide opportunities for you to apply your skills to exciting, challenging, and rewarding projects, gaining exposure to diverse aspects of planning—both in the office and in the field. Our goal for you is to come away with new points of view, an enhanced skillset, a feeling of success, and long-lasting connections that will serve you well in your future as a professional.

Our commitment to creating an impact runs deep. We care – about each other, about the work we do, and about the clients and communities we work with. Our people and teams embrace a growth mindset to build a culture where everyone can grow and develop over time. This is a place where you can build meaningful relationships and explore your potential. Join us for a work term where you will hone your knowledge and increase your understanding of industry best practices in a practical and supportive setting.

About the Opportunity

Working alongside seasoned planners and recent graduates alike, you may be engaged in projects related to land use planning, housing, transportation planning, public engagement, municipal/development finance, infrastructure planning, governance, urban design, and development approvals. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and communities, such as municipal government, provincial government, Indigenous communities, and land development clients.

Do you see yourself excited to contribute to…

• Providing planning support on a broad range of community planning projects (including but not limited to land use planning, parks and recreation, economic development, tourism, transportation, and community governance)
• Conducting research, preparing background reports, and supporting projects for local government, land development, and First Nations clients (e.g., land use reports, conceptual plans, studies, bylaws, etc.).
• Assisting in the preparation of proposals, reports, and presentations for clients and public meetings.
• Collaborating with the existing team to develop public engagement materials such as open house panels, newsletters, brochures, and community surveys.
• Attending and supporting site visits, public meetings, engagements, workshops, and open houses as required.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, although depending on the location, the projects, practice areas, and clients may differ. The following projects and skills are not an exhaustive list and may fluctuate based on capacity and interest.

Fort St. John, BC

In our Fort St. John branch, you can expect to be involved primarily in community planning projects, such as:

• Land use planning, policy writing, bylaw development, governance and service delivery model research and analysis, development approvals support, Indigenous planning, public engagement and communications, grant research and writing, economic development, and local government finance.

This will allow you to develop your skills and understanding related to:

• Client relationships, planning legislation, plain language writing, qualitative and/or quantitative data research and analysis, public engagements, reports, presentations, surveys, and proposals.

Vancouver, BC

In our Vancouver branch, you can expect to be involved in community planning projects, such as:

• Land use planning and policy, housing and growth strategies, bylaws, community engagement, Indigenous planning, economic development, tourism market reviews, transportation planning, industrial lands strategies, local government finance, and community governance.

This will allow you to develop your skills and understanding related to:

• Client relationships, planning legislation, policy writing, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, public engagement, background research, presentations, surveys, final strategies and reports, developing recommendations, proposals, and coordination.

Surrey, BC

In our Surrey branch, you can expect to be involved in community planningprojects, such as:

• Land use planning and policy, bylaw development, community engagement, Indigenous planning, development process support, local government finance, and community governance - with a focus on local governments and Indigenous communities in the Fraser Valley.

This will allow you to develop your skills and understanding related to:

• Client relationships, planning legislation, technical writing, policy and bylaw development, financial analysis, public engagement, and the preparation of reports, presentations, and proposals.

Winnipeg, MB

In our Winnipeg branch, you can expect to be involved in community planning projects, such as:

• Land use planning, municipal growth strategies, development (official community) plans and zoning bylaws, community engagement, Indigenous planning, parks and recreation, economic development, local government finance, and community governance.

This will allow you to develop your skills and understanding related to:

• Client relationships, planning legislation, policy writing and analysis, qualitative and/or quantitative data research, public engagement, analyzing socioeconomic statistics, background reports, presentations, creating surveys and other research instruments, reports, and proposal writing.

About You

This position is ideal for students currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a planning program accredited by the Canadian Institute of Planners. We are always open to considering strong candidates from other backgrounds. Consideration will be given to other related programs, such as urban studies, urban development, regional planning, urban design, community planning, economics, finance, geography, and environmental studies. Related experience is beneficial but not required.

The core skills that will help you succeed here include:

• Motivated – You are excited to broaden your expertise and understanding by gaining experience in the following areas: land use planning, transportation planning, housing, public engagement, municipal/development finance, infrastructure planning, governance, urban design, and development approvals.
• Curious – You are eager to learn, ask questions, and listen deeply. You know that being present and listening to people to understand their needs and experiences is integral to being in service of others.
• Detail-Oriented – You pay high attention to detail and quality control and verify the accuracy of your production work at all stages of a project.
• Relationships Focused – You aim to build relationships, develop a sense of community, and work with diverse groups to tackle complex challenges faced by communities.
• Communication—You are a skilled communicator, both verbal and written. You can take the complicated and make it easy to understand, using research and data to deepen understanding and tell a compelling story.
• Research—You are comfortable conducting research, including collecting and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Problem-Solving – You enjoy applying theory and conducting research to provide workable solutions related to the implementation of your work.

About Us

At Urban Systems, vibrant communities are everything—including our own work community. Since 1975, we have grown to more than 700 people with 18 offices across Canada. Every day, our purpose-driven team works closely with our clients and their communities to deliver impactful work. We are proud to work with diverse clients, including Indigenous communities, all levels of government, commercial and residential land developers, and the natural resource sector.

Our Commitment to You

At Urban Systems we make significant investments in our people, which is why we take great care to hire those who we believe will thrive in Urban Systems over the long term. We’ve become recognized as a workplace of choice by nurturing a unique corporate culture that sets us apart and provides:

• Meaningful rewards and recognition. The positions will have an hourly range of $24.00 – $27.00 an hour, the amount offered will be based on the location, experience, and qualifications of the successful candidates. The range is negotiable based on your skillset and experience.
• Relocation Assistance – We recognize that moving to a new location for a short period of time can be difficult. To offset the cost of moving expenses, if applicable, we will provide relocation assistance to support your temporary transition to join our team.
• Engaging Work Environment – Be part of a fun, engaging workplace where hard work accomplishes great things.
• Work with Motivated Teams – The opportunity to work with industry-leading professionals in a collaborative environment to help you gain the most out of your term.
• Learn and Grow – You can look forward to ongoing career development and learning through challenging and interesting project opportunities.
• Perks and Benefits – Urban Systems provides a variety of benefits for students, such as a monthly transit subsidy, paid sick leave, and wellbeing support.

How to Apply

If this describes your background, skills, and attributes, please visit our website for more information on the different kinds of student opportunities available and submit your resume and cover letter. If it doesn’t describe you exactly, but you feel you are well suited to this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

Urban Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive culture for all employees. Our clients come from all walks of life, and so do you. We believe that diversity and unity amongst our teams leads to building vibrant communities.

Deadline for applications: Monday, January 19, 2026, at 9:00 am PST (11:00 am CST)

All resumes are reviewed by someone on our recruitment team. If you have individual needs or requirements and request assistance throughout the application process, please get in touch with our recruitment team by email at [e-mail] so we can better support you.

Urban Systems is an equal-opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive culture for all employees. Our clients come from all walks of life and so do you. We are looking for candidates with their own unique talents. If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills outlined in this job posting, tell us why you’d be a great fit for Urban Systems in your cover letter!