Planner I

Fisher Associates; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 67,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Hybrid work schedule

Generous PTO + paid holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Fisher Associates in Buffalo, NY seeks a Planner I to support multidisciplinary project teams in planning, community design, placemaking, and environmental planning services. You will conduct research, GIS mapping, visual communication, and documentation to move projects forward.

Growth comes through collaboration with Project Managers and senior staff, with exposure to environmental planning workflows and public engagement across Western New York.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field from an accredited university.
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS / GIS or ability to learn quickly.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) or ability to learn.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research, data collection, basic analysis, and statistical tasks related to planning projects.
• Analyze land use, zoning, demographics, transportation, and community conditions.
• Assist with comprehensive plans, master plans, corridor studies, and related planning work.
• Support land use, urban design, and placemaking recommendations through maps and visuals.
• Review zoning codes, development regulations, and planning policies.
• Assist with environmental planning documentation (SEQRA, EIS, NEPA).
• Support public meetings, stakeholder meetings, surveys, and grant applications.

Skills

GIS mapping

Public engagement

Communication

Project management

Cross‑disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or related field

Master’s degree in Planning or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Illustrator

InDesign

Photoshop

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Planner I - Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY provides a dynamic environment for planning, placemaking, community design, and neighborhood development, with opportunities tied to land use, revitalization, public spaces, environmental planning, and community-focused development. This position allows an early-career planner to contribute directly to projects affecting communities throughout Western New York.

As a Planner I at Fisher Associates, you will support multidisciplinary project teams serving public- and private-sector clients through planning, community design, placemaking, and environmental planning services. Your work will span research, GIS and mapping, visual communication, technical documentation, public engagement, field observations, and project coordination.

You will gain experience working at the intersection of planning, design, policy, and community needs. The role offers an opportunity to strengthen your planning practice, contribute to meaningful project deliverables, and learn from Project Managers and senior professionals across a multidisciplinary consulting environment.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct research, data collection, basic analysis, and statistical tasks related to planning and community development projects.
• Analyze land use, zoning, development patterns, demographic information, transportation systems, and community conditions.
• Assist with comprehensive plans, master plans, corridor studies, community plans, development studies, and other planning initiatives.
• Support land use, urban design, community design, and placemaking recommendations through research, mapping, graphics, and other visual materials.
• Review and interpret zoning codes, development regulations, planning policies, and related ordinances, including support for municipal entitlement processes.
• Assist with SEQRA, EIS, NEPA, and related environmental planning documentation and research.
• Support public meetings, stakeholder meetings, workshops, advisory committees, surveys, presentations, reports, grant applications, and other project deliverables.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, Community Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design, Environmental Planning, or a related field from an accredited university.
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Proficiency with or demonstrated ability to learn ArcGIS / GIS.
• Proficiency with or demonstrated ability to learn Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency with or demonstrated ability to learn Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines, manage multiple assignments and priorities, and take ownership of assigned work.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2–5 years of relevant professional experience, with consideration given to candidates with strong internship, studio, or academic project experience.
• Master’s degree in planning, Urban Design, or a related field.
• Experience with planning, urban design, community development, environmental planning, or public engagement.
• Experience with SketchUp or other 3D visualization software.
• Understanding of Smart Growth, walkability, mixed-use development, public realm, sustainable development, and community design principles.
• Experience with data visualization, mapping, graphic communication, and presentation development.

Why Join Fisher

• Shape meaningful infrastructure, environmental, and community outcomes through work that has visible local and regional impact.
• Grow in a collaborative culture where accessible leaders welcome ideas, feedback, ownership, and professional development.
• Build your career through mentorship, technical learning, leadership opportunities, and exposure to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Thrive in a flexible, team-driven environment that values quality, accountability, work-life balance, and long-term success.

Compensation + Benefits

Salary range: $67,000-$74,000

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Hybrid work schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and strong work-life balance.
• Shareholders program, professional development opportunities and reimbursement, supplemental benefits, and employee groups focused on community, inclusion, and employee voice.

Location Flexibility

This role is aligned to the Buffalo, NY market for planning, placemaking, community design, and multidisciplinary community development work. Fisher may also consider strong candidates located near Rochester, NY based on project needs, client alignment, team growth priorities, and business development opportunity.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fisher Associates is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.