Senior Planning Associate

MRB GROUP; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Employer-sponsored health insurance

401(k) with 20% employer match

PTO and holidays

Hybrid work model

Job summary

MRB Group in Charleston is seeking a Senior Planning Associate to lead complex municipal and land use planning projects, emphasizing regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development.

The role requires independent judgment, strong project management, and frequent interaction with municipal officials, applicants, developers, and the public. MRB Group values client development and staff mentorship in expanding its community planning practice.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional planning experience.
• AICP Certification (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of land use planning, zoning, site planning, and development review processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex land use and development applications, including site plan review, subdivisions, rezonings, variances, and special/conditional use permits.
• Perform detailed technical and regulatory reviews of development applications, plans, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare clear, concise staff reports and present findings to Planning Boards and other municipal boards.
• Attend Planning, Zoning, and public meetings, including evening meetings as required.
• Analyze zoning, comprehensive planning, and environmental issues and provide strategic guidance to municipal clients.
• Conduct environmental reviews in accordance with local/state requirements and NEPA.
• Mentor junior planning staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Environmental review

Written communication

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Education

Urban Planning / related field degree

Job description

EOE Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Category

Planning

Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Planning Associate leads complex municipal and land use planning projects with an emphasis on regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. This position is responsible for managing high-level planning and zoning initiatives, conducting detailed technical and environmental analyses, and guiding applicants and municipalities through regulatory review processes.

The role requires independent judgment, strong project management skills, and frequent interaction with municipal officials, applicants, developers, and the public. The ideal candidate brings significant municipal and/or consulting experience, demonstrates technical expertise in land use and environmental review, and plays a key role in expanding MRB Group’s community planning practice through client development and staff mentorship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex land use and development applications, including site plan review, subdivisions, rezonings, variances, and special/conditional use permits.
• Perform detailed technical and regulatory reviews of development applications, plans, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare clear, concise staff reports and present findings and recommendations to Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Appeals, and other municipal boards.
• Attend and participate in Planning, Zoning, and public meetings, including evening meetings as required.
• Analyze complex zoning, comprehensive planning, and environmental issues and provide strategic guidance to municipal clients.
• Conduct and manage environmental reviews in accordance with local and state requirements and NEPA requirements.
• Facilitate meetings with municipal staff, elected officials, developers, property owners, and community stakeholders.
• Lead, manage, and contribute to zoning code updates, comprehensive plans, and other municipal policy initiatives.
• Mentor and support junior planning staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams across MRB Group.
• Assist in business development efforts, client relationship management, and expansion of the firm’s planning services.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/BA degree (Masters Preferred) in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Civil Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of professional planning and/or local government planning / consulting experience.
• AICP Certification (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of land use planning, zoning, site planning, and development review processes.
• Demonstrated experience with Environmental Permitting and NEPA environmental review procedures.
• Familiarity with state and federal stormwater regulations and MS4 requirements.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret plans, maps, and engineering documents and translate technical information into clear written reports and public presentations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong public speaking skills and comfort interacting with municipal officials, clients, community members, and stakeholders.
• Team-oriented mindset with a desire to engage in interdisciplinary and collaborative projects.

What's In It For You?

At MRB Group, we value our employees and are proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support not just you, but your family as well.

Our offerings for full-time employees include:

• Competitive Base Salary
• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage. We offer generous employer-paid contributions for medical insurance:
• 100% premium coverage for our High-Deductible Health Plan, plus employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA), which you may also contribute to with pre-tax dollars.
• 75% premium coverage for our Hybrid Health Plan.
• All plans include prescription and vision coverage and offer both individual and family options.
• Coverage begins on your first day of employment.
• Voluntary Dental and Vision Insurance
• Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance (Optional additional life insurance coverage is also available)
• Company-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Includes a generous 20% employer match to help you plan for your future.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays - Includes one floating holiday per year, to be used at your discretion.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Available for dependent care and healthcare expenses, offering tax savings.
• Supplemental Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Stock Ownership Opportunities - Available for eligible employees.
• Licensure Support
• Professional Development and Tuition Reimbursement
• Mentorship Program - Designed to support the growth of junior staff.
• Flex Time and Remote Work Options - We promote work-life balance with flexible scheduling and a hybrid work model that blends in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.
• Team Building and Company Events

Full-Time/Part-Time

Position Senior Planning Associate (SE)

Location

Charleston

About the Organization

MRB Group provides engineering, architecture, site evaluations, site development, strategic and master planning, economic development and grant writing services. Since 1927, we have provided professional services that help strengthen local governments and improve infrastructure. We design award-winning projects, and our focus is always on our clients. We are an energetic and fast-paced, collaborative organization that is growing with multiple offices located in New York, South Carolina and Texas. MRB Group is not able to provide employment visa sponsorship

This position is currently accepting applications.