Urban Planner

Dekker•Phoenix, AZ

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Urban Planner at Dekker, you’ll collaborate closely with our Planning Studio and partner with colleagues across Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture. Your work will span the full planning process, from early visioning to implementation, and will include community engagement, comprehensive and campus long-range planning, development of site plans, policy analysis, zoning and entitlement support, and managing smaller planning projects. You’ll also provide ongoing support to the planning team as projects evolve. Collaboration is central to how we work. Planners at Dekker partner across studios and across offices in Albuquerque, Phoenix, and El Paso, learning from one another and contributing to integrated, multidisciplinary solutions. The Dekker Planning Studio has been part of some of New Mexico’s most impactful and transformative projects, including the Rail Trail, Albuquerque Uptown, the Rail Runner, Netflix Studios, Mesa del Sol ART, the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), and many other meaningful efforts across New Mexico and the Southwest. We’re looking for planners who are curious, self-driven, and passionate about shaping better places. At Dekker, you’ll play an active role in creating inspired experiences for communities, clients, and collaborators—supported by a firm that has been a trusted presence in the design industry for more than 60 years.

Requirements

This is a hybrid position, with three days per week in the office. Candidates must live in the Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; or El Paso, TX metropolitan areas.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Planning or a related field from an accredited university.
2–5 years of professional experience in an urban planning or related office environment.
A solid understanding of planning history, the professional and regulatory frameworks planners work within, and current planning discourse and best practices.
Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey ideas to a range of audiences.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and planning-related tools such as GIS, SketchUp, or similar software.
Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills to support data-informed planning and decision-making.
Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex planning concepts into clear, actionable insights.
Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and consultation skills, with a team-oriented mindset.
Ability to translate client goals and ideas into visual and tangible materials, such as drawings, diagrams, or models.
A positive, collaborative attitude and enthusiasm for contributing to a supportive, creative workplaces

Nice To Haves

Candidates with less experience may be considered based on the strength of their portfolio and relevant work experience.
AICP certification preferred, but not required.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills are a plus, particularly for community engagement and public-facing work.

Responsibilities

Evaluate planning concepts and deliverables to ensure they are feasible, and well-grounded in best practices.
Creatively engage with stakeholders across the public and private sector on small and large projects.
Lead and support specialized planning efforts, including large-scale development proposals, long-range planning initiatives, and technical studies.
Play an active role in Dekker’s continued growth and evolution as a planning and design practice, helping shape how we work and what we create next.
Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including landscape architects, architects, interior designers, and visualization specialists, on a diverse range of projects.
Build expertise in key planning tools and metrics across project types, from master planning and code analysis to zoning, entitlements, and implementation strategies.
Participate in projects across Dekker’s offices and practice areas, contributing to work ranging from housing and education to civic spaces and corporate campuses.