Senior Community Planner / Community Engagement Project Manager

Rincon Consultants, Inc•Los Angeles, CA

11d•$90,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Community Planner / Community Engagement Project Manager to join our Community Planning team. This role will lead outreach and engagement for planning initiatives that help California communities address growth, housing, land use, and long-range planning priorities. The position offers opportunities to shape planning strategies, lead meaningful public engagement efforts, build client relationships, mentor staff, and support the continued growth of Rincon's Community Planning practice and community engagement capabilities.

Requirements

B.A./B.S. in Urban/Regional Planning, Communications, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field
6+ years of relevant experience in California, with increasing responsibility for technical work, project management, and client support
Experience managing multiple concurrent projects, including scopes, schedules, budgets, and client coordination
Established knowledge of California land use planning principles, housing policy, and local government planning processes
Experience leading community engagement programs, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and outreach efforts, and stakeholder engagement strategies for planning and policy initiatives
Experience developing engagement strategies, outreach plans, and stakeholder engagement approaches for planning or related projects
Experience working with community-based organizations (CBOs), public agencies, and diverse stakeholder groups
Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Ability to travel occasionally as project and client needs require

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is a plus
Experience with multilingual, accessible, or equity-centered community engagement approaches
Experience preparing engagement summaries, reporting, or public input analyses that inform planning and policy recommendations

Responsibilities

Lead outreach and engagement for and facilitation for community planning projects from project initiation through adoption and implementation
Prepare and oversee complex community outreach and engagement programs for General Plans, Housing Elements, Community Plans, Specific Plans, zoning code updates, and other planning and policy documents
Manage integrating qualitative analyses from outreach and engagement data into land use, housing, demographic, and policy analyses that support long-range planning decisions, community goals, and implementation strategies
Manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects
Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated planning solutions that align with client goals and community priorities, integrating engagement strategies and community input into planning processes and project outcomes
Provide QA/QC review to support technical quality and consistency across project deliverables
Coordinate engagement activities with multidisciplinary teams to ensure public input is effectively integrated into planning processes and project outcomes
Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, agencies, and project teams
Lead public workshops, stakeholder meetings, community outreach efforts, and public hearings
Present planning recommendations and technical information to elected officials, commissions, clients, and community groups
Develop and implement outreach and engagement strategies tailored to project goals, community context, and client needs
Design and manage community engagement programs, including stakeholder identification, outreach planning, and a range of in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagement activities
Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, agency partners, and other interested parties to support inclusive and effective engagement
Coordinate the development of accessible and culturally responsive engagement materials, including surveys, workshop materials, and digital engagement tools
Analyze and synthesize community input, preparing clear summaries, recommendations, and engagement findings that inform planning and policy decisions
Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge-sharing and professional development, including engagement methods, facilitation techniques, and public-facing communication skills
Support staffing coordination and contribute to a collaborative team environment
Assist with proposal preparation, interviews, cost estimating, and business development
Support client relationship development and identify opportunities for additional services
Represent Rincon at client meetings, industry events, and professional conferences