Senior Planner

SSFM • Honolulu, HI

25d

About The Position

SSFM is seeking a Senior Planner to lead impactful transportation, community, and resilience planning initiatives. The role calls for project manager–level independence, leadership of complex planning efforts, and strong client-facing communication. The planner will manage projects from scoping through delivery, oversee tasks and schedules, coordinate stakeholders, and represent SSFM professionally and with cultural awareness. The role also involves advanced planning analysis, report writing, graphics and recommendations, community engagement, mentoring junior planners, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. SSFM has worked on community, transportation, and infrastructure solutions across the Pacific for more than 65 years.

Requirements

• 5–8+ years of progressive experience in transportation, community, resilience, or general planning.
• Ability to work independently at a project-management level and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills, including writing, stakeholder engagement, meeting facilitation, and client interaction.
• Experience preparing planning reports, assessments, studies, permit-related documentation, and presentation materials.
• Strategic problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability in high-pressure environments.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Hawaiʻi’s regulatory and cultural context.
• AICP certification, or the ability and commitment to obtain it within a reasonable and mutually agreed-upon timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage transportation, community, and resilience planning projects from scoping through delivery, including ownership of tasks, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder coordination.
• Serve as the primary client point of contact, maintain client relationships, ensure alignment, and represent SSFM with professionalism and cultural awareness.
• Lead advanced planning analyses, write reports, prepare graphics, and translate technical data into actionable recommendations.
• Design and facilitate stakeholder and community engagement, including workshops, public meetings, and interagency coordination sessions.
• Guide planning tasks and mentor junior planners to improve team performance and workflow efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, analysts, environmental specialists, and other multidisciplinary team members to deliver integrated solutions.
• Manage competing priorities and tight timelines with resilience, organization, and sound judgment.

Benefits

• 100% covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and eligible dependents.
• 401(k) with company-funded contributions.
• Paid time off starting at 15 days, plus paid holidays and community service time.
• Development, wellness, and recognition programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior