Entry-level Climate Action Planner
About The Position
PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time, entry-level planner to join its Climate Action and Resilience team in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, or Santa Ana. The position requires at least two in-office days per week. The planner works in a collaborative, casual, and professional environment under the guidance of project managers and senior staff, applying planning knowledge and technical skills to support projects at a variety of scales, often across multiple concurrent assignments. Typical projects include climate action and adaptation plans, sustainability plans, carbon neutral plans, and energy action plans. The team also supports projects across PlaceWorks’ planning, environmental, and design practices, such as general plan updates, environmental impact reports, and park planning. The role may involve research and data analysis, preparing graphics, maps, plan documents, proposals, and presentations, as well as community outreach and engagement. The planner may coordinate meetings, prepare materials, give presentations, or facilitate workshops, including events that may take place on weekday evenings or weekends. The position may also assist with marketing, business development, and proposal efforts. Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in city and regional planning, environmental planning or policy, or a related field, and 2–4 years of professional planning-related experience. A strong understanding of climate change science and familiarity with climate planning work are sought. ArcGIS and/or Adobe Creative Suite experience is a plus. The stated pay range for a Project Planner position is $31.25–$41.83 per hour, depending on experience and other relevant factors. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample as separate PDF attachments under 500KB each, or provide a link to an oversized writing sample. The cover letter should identify the preferred office location.
Requirements
- 2–4 years of professional experience related to planning.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in city and regional planning, environmental planning or policy, or a related field.
- Understanding of climate change science.
- Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and work on multiple projects concurrently.
- Intermediate-level computer skills, ability to learn new tools quickly, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- Reliable transportation to and from work and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed.
- Ability to attend and travel to client meetings and community workshops, which may occur on weekday nights and weekends.
Nice To Haves
- Experience, familiarity, or interest in preparing community-wide and municipal greenhouse gas emissions inventories, developing and quantifying GHG emissions reduction strategies, preparing climate change vulnerability assessments, and preparing climate action plans or similar documents.
- Experience with ArcGIS and/or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Interest in supporting authentic engagement with diverse communities and participating in outreach efforts.
Responsibilities
- Assist project teams with planning work and contribute to successful completion of projects at a variety of scales.
- Work concurrently on multiple projects as needed.
- Analyze and compile research and data for projects.
- Support climate planning work, including greenhouse gas inventories and emissions-reduction strategies, vulnerability assessments, and climate action plans or similar documents.
- Create graphics, maps, plan documents, proposals, and presentations that communicate ideas clearly.
- Support outreach and authentic engagement with diverse communities.
- Coordinate meetings and prepare and assemble materials and supplies.
- Give presentations and/or facilitate discussions at workshops as needed.
- Attend and travel to client meetings, community workshops, and site visits when needed, including some weekday evenings and weekends.
- Assist with marketing, business development, and proposal efforts for planning and outreach work.
- Cultivate working relationships with clients, community-based organizations, and other firms.
- Manage time and complete tasks and deliverables by stated deadlines.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
