Assistant Project Manager, Senior Planner

BKF•Pleasanton, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

BKF is seeking an experienced Assistant Project Manager, Senior Planner to support the delivery of Community Planning projects and help grow our Community Planning services across California. Working closely with and under the supervision of a Project Manager, this role is ideal for a motivated planner ready to step into project management and practice leadership responsibilities. The position supports project delivery, client engagement, staff mentorship, and business development within one of BKF’s key California markets. This hybrid role allows time to be shared between one of BKF’s California offices and home and offers the opportunity to grow within BKF’s Planning practice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Geography, or a related field
Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive experience in community planning, land use, or related planning disciplines
Experience supporting planning projects in California involving municipal/local/regional government, land development, housing, transportation, or general plans
Demonstrated interest in and readiness for project management responsibilities, with some prior experience supporting scope, schedule, or budget tracking
Proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS Pro or similar), including geodatabase assembly, maintenance, and analysis
An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups
A high energy, passionate, forward-thinking, results-oriented, team player, and resourceful contributor
Collaborative and highly skillful at building and maintaining effective working relationships throughout the organization
Ability to effectively support project teams and communicate with clients under Project Manager guidance
Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders
Valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driver’s record are required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field is preferred
Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable
familiarity with community engagement platforms, data visualization tools, or other planning technologies is a plus
Experience facilitating community engagement, including multilingual or multicultural outreach, is strongly preferred
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

Responsibilities

Supporting company leadership and the Project Manager in achieving performance goals for the Community Planning team and growing market share in California
Assisting with client relationship management and participating in business development activities, including proposal writing and pursuit coordination, to help build a growing pipeline and backlog
Supporting project management on community planning assignments under the direction of a Project Manager, including general plans, community plans, specific plans, housing elements, and related policy documents, with increasing responsibility over time
Developing experience and technical knowledge across a range of project types and clients, including municipal/local/regional government, land development, transportation, water, housing, and/or higher education
Leading and facilitating community engagement efforts, including public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and presentations to elected and appointed bodies, and helping design engagement strategies that reflect the needs of diverse communities
Assembling, maintaining, and mining geodatabases to support planning analysis, and implementing GIS tools and planning technologies to improve project workflows and deliverables
Supporting the preparation and review of scopes of work, work plans, planning assessments, data analysis, timelines, budgets, and invoicing under the oversight of a Project Manager
Serving as a technical resource to community members, stakeholders, and agency staff on land use policy, zoning, housing, and community plan implementation, with Project Manager oversight on client-facing matters
Facilitating public involvement through meetings and presentations, bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss planning initiatives, assess obstacles, and build community consensus
Coordinating the work of subconsultants and other professionals assigned to specific projects, under Project Manager direction
Mentoring and supporting junior planning staff in technical skills, work product quality, and professional development
Actively participating in professional associations and contributing to BKF’s visibility in the Community Planning market as part of a longer-term path toward practice leadership