Urban Planner Staff Planner
Designing Local, LTD. is a professional services firm and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) located in Columbus, Ohio. We specialize in Arts & Culture Planning, Historic Preservation, Urban Design, and through our affiliate, Landscape Architecture. We have completed projects in more than 20 states and 50 cities around the United States.
Designing Local is seeking an Urban Planner who will assist in all aspects of planning efforts, particularly our arts and culture planning work but also placemaking, preservation, and community planning while working on a collaborative team to deliver excellent plans and processes to clients.
This is intended to be an early career position for a motivated planner who has a strong desire to develop skills in our specialized field, which is rapidly growing.
The Urban Planner will serve a supporting role to the project manager and will primarily focus on developing graphics for projects, developing and executing community engagement strategies, and supporting the project managers in all other aspects of planning projects.
The Urban Planner will provide specialized operational and technical support to projects at Designing Local. This position will be an integral part of Designing Local’s team. This position will work in close coordination with Designing Local’s entire staff and will report directly to Principals.
Designing Local allows for a hybrid work schedule but requires in person work multiple days a week at our office in Downtown Columbus.
Responsibilities
Assists in facilitating meetings with clients, stakeholders, and members of the public.
Supports data collection and existing conditions analysis and research related to projects and clients.
Supports the creation of planning reports for arts & culture, urban design, and community planning projects.
Supports and conducts site visits to perform analysis, manage workshops, and facilitate client meetings.
Generates graphics for presentations and project communication materials.
May assist with social media, proposal production, and other firm marketing activities.
Supports overall team coordination.
Performs research and analysis in support of strong project outcomes.
Required skills
Previous experience in public or private planning.
Undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Geography, or related field.
General knowledge of the principles and practices of planning and an interest in learning more about the specialized fields of arts & culture planning, historic preservation, and urban design.
Understanding of principles and practices of research and data collection.
Ability to prepare professionally-written reports and memos.
Working knowledge of general computer programs and applications including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, and various Internet applications.
Strong Competency with various graphics programs including Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator). Knowledge of AutoCAD, SketchUp, and other drafting/modeling programs is useful but not required.
Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
Strong written and analytical skills.
Basic competency in GIS programs and applications is useful but not required.
Ability to perform in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment which may include several projects simultaneously.
Office Location and Compensation
Our office is located on the 10th floor of 20 E Broad Street in Downtown Columbus. We expect professional staff to be in the office at least three days a week. Remote work is acceptable the remainder of the week.
Pay Range: $60,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience
Submit your application here.
Designing Local is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Designing Local is an equal opportunity employer in recognition of the essential rights of all qualified applicants and employees. We prohibit discrimination in employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, disability, ancestry, age, genetic information, sexual orientation and/or military status.