Mid-level Climate Action Planner
About The Position
PlaceWorks seeks a full-time, mid-level planner for its Climate Action and Resiliency team, based in one of its Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, or Santa Ana offices. The position requires at least two days in the office each week and involves managing projects for public agency clients throughout California focused on community-level climate action and adaptation planning. The successful candidate will bring professional experience in climate action and/or adaptation planning and will work under the guidance of senior staff in a collaborative environment. The planner will lead preparation of community climate action and adaptation plans, General Plan elements, sustainability plans, and related technical studies, including greenhouse gas inventories and forecasts and climate vulnerability assessments. The role also supports integrating climate, sustainability, and resource protection policies into General Plan updates, coordinating work across disciplines, managing project assignments, contributing to proposals and business development, and maintaining professional expertise. The role includes communicating technical work in accessible reports, policies, and graphics; presenting at community meetings and interviews; and leading outreach with diverse communities. Travel to client meetings, site visits, and community workshops is required as needed, and some meetings may occur on weekday evenings or weekends. The Associate II pay range is $85,000–$115,000 per year, depending on experience and other relevant factors.
Requirements
- 4–6 years of professional experience in climate action and/or adaptation planning.
- Excellent writing, formatting, and proofreading skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Strong verbal communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively, and contribute in a hybrid work environment.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and lead teams to deliver final documents and products by deadlines.
- Understanding of California land use, environmental, and climate change regulatory frameworks applicable to local governments.
- Comfort with public speaking, presenting, and leading community outreach.
- Professional ability to cultivate working relationships with clients, community-based organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and other firms.
- Advanced computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban or regional planning, environmental planning or policy, or a related field.
- Reliable transportation for commuting, site visits, and meetings as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Established experience and expertise in community-level climate mitigation and climate adaptation; equal experience in both is not required.
- A diverse portfolio of completed local climate action planning projects.
- Experience with ArcGIS.
Responsibilities
- Lead preparation of community climate action plans, climate adaptation plans, General Plan elements, sustainability plans, and similar documents.
- Lead preparation of climate-related technical studies, including community-wide and municipal operations greenhouse gas emissions inventories and forecasts, and community-wide and project-specific climate vulnerability assessments.
- Support integration of climate change, sustainability, and resource conservation and protection policies into comprehensive General Plan updates.
- Collaborate across the firm to integrate climate action and adaptation approaches across disciplines and projects.
- Support team utilization goals through project planning, workload coordination, and effective management of project assignments.
- Engage in professional development to expand knowledge of best practices, regulations, and guidance.
- Support proposal preparation and business development activities.
- Represent PlaceWorks and its clients at community meetings and interviews.
- Lead outreach efforts and support authentic engagement with diverse communities.
- Translate or direct the translation of technical reports and analyses into accessible reports, policies, and graphics.
- Attend and travel to client meetings, community workshops, and site visits as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
