Planner (Urban & Environmental)

Apa Mississippi; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits through Mississippi State University

Competitive salary based on experience

Job summary

A community-focused design studio in Gulfport, Mississippi, seeks an experienced Urban and Regional Planner. The role involves managing planning projects, engaging with under-resourced communities, and collaborating in a creative environment. Candidates should have a Master's degree in urban planning, along with project management skills and proficiency in ArcGIS Pro. The position offers competitive compensation and full benefits through Mississippi State University, providing a unique opportunity for growth in community-engaged design.

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental planning, watershed planning, and community development.
• 3 years of experience in the planning field preferred.
• Willingness to work with diverse viewpoints and make impacts.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently or in a multidisciplinary team.
• Flex-schedule may include weekends/evenings.
• Physical ability to perform some tasks (lifting 10 lbs+).

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage planning projects across Mississippi coastal counties.
• Coordinate with project partners and stakeholders.
• Support community-engaged projects and outreach materials.
• Supervise interns and volunteers, ensuring quality work across geographies.
• Develop outreach and education materials with design teams.

Skills

Project management

Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro

Data analysis and visualization

Community engagement process

Strong communication skills

Collaboration with design teams

Coordinating partners

Supervising interns

Coastal resilience

Education

Master's degree in urban planning or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is looking for an experienced urban and regional planner with a desire to work in a coastal environment in the areas of environmental planning, watershed planning, coastal resilience, housing, community development, and more. The idea candidate will have experience working with under-resourced communities on meaningful community-engaged projects. If you are good at working independently and as part of a team, enjoy an open studio environment, and are interested or experienced in the community-engaged planning and design process, this may be the place for you.

Required Skills

• Ability to develop and manage planning projects including:
  • Creating project scopes, budgets, detailed workplans and tracking measures.
  • Producing deliverables and reports as required by the project.
  • Coordinating with project partners and stakeholders.
  • Supervising the work of interns and volunteers.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro.
• Excellent data analysis and data visualization skills and ability to integrate data into decision-making.
• Knowledge of planning research and technical analysis methods.
• Knowledge of community engagement process design principles and ability to plan and facilitate creative community engagement opportunities as part of plan development.
• Strong written and communication skills;
• Ability to work with design team to create outreach and education materials;
• An understanding and interest in coastal resilience and coastal environments.

Projects are usually based within the three Mississippi coastal counties, sometimes extending to a broader region or even nationally depending on the nature of the work and project partners. Applicants should have the ability to manage projects and partnerships across larger geographies through the use of technology.

Compensation

• Full benefits through Mississippi State University
• Competitive salary based on experience

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum of a masters degree in urban planning or related field (accredited program).
• 3 years of experience in planning field preferred.
• Willingness to work with people with different viewpoints, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds; and a desire to learn and make real-world impacts.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness to work on a flex-schedule; may occasionally include weekends / evenings.
• Ability to do physical work, lifting, pushing or pulling objects (10 lbs. or more).

The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is an off-campus research and professional service program of Mississippi State University located in Gulfport, Mississippi. Since its establishment following Hurricane Katrina the Design Studio has worked with many local and national partners to provide planning, landscape architecture and architecture services to communities and non-profit organizations along the Gulf Coast. The Design Studio’s work has evolved from rebuilding to long-term resiliency and is recognized as a national leader in interdisciplinary Public Interest practice.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast provides a unique environment for emerging and mid-level design professionals to grow in their career and gain leadership experience in the community engaged design process. We’re seeking an experienced Planner to lead projects alongside design professionals.

APPLY or LEARN MORE

To APPLY or to LEARN MORE about current and upcoming projects please contact David Perkes [e-mail] directly with PLANNER in subject line.

Gulf Coast Community Design Studio 521 34th Street, Gulfport MS www.GCCDS.org