Senior Urban Planner

About the position We are hiring a talented Senior Urban Planner professional to join the Municipal Services team in our Mokena, Chicago, Crystal Lake, or Naperville, IL offices. The Senior Urban Planner will perform various general and specialized professional planning functions, including developing implementable comprehensive plans, existing and future land use maps, zoning maps and ordinances, unified development codes, and special area plans, as well as reviewing private development plans on behalf of municipal clients. This candidate will assist in creating and implementing master thoroughfare plans, capital improvement programs, and active transportation plans. Beyond developing well-informed planning studies, this candidate needs to be proficient at facilitating public engagement efforts and providing technical expertise in analyzing data and providing development assistance services to a variety of municipal clients.

Responsibilities

• Performs and manages complex and sensitive planning projects, including research and analysis
• Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state and federal laws
• Lead and coordinate urban development projects from concept through completion, ensuring alignment with community goals and regulatory frameworks
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources across multidisciplinary teams including landscape architects, engineers, and public stakeholders
• Provide general municipal planning services to multiple clients
• Advises various councils, boards, commissions and elected officials in planning-related issues
• Prepare written review reports, and respond proactively to Local Agency Staff and Officials, property owners, developers, and designers
• Research, understand, and modify city codes and ordinances to facilitate effective change
• Develop short- and long-range plans at the municipal and regional levels
• Facilitate effective public engagement, tailored to collect meaningful input from stakeholders
• Provide demographic, existing land use, future land use, parks and open space, transportation technical expertise, and research for the plan and code-making process
• Produce graphic and conceptual renderings to illustrate code compliance and planning concepts in reports to communicate technical knowledge to the public
• Produce public engagement materials and collect input from stakeholders
• Prepare, document, and improve review procedures, plan creation, and implementation efforts
• Provide QA/QC reviews of project deliverables produced by others
• When required, assist with staff planner functions for local municipalities
• Assist in negotiations of development, annexation, and inter-governmental agreements
• Coordinate and review plats, site plans, zoning requests, planned developments, development agreements and special use permits to comply with local requirements and best management practices

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in planning or a closely related field and AICP Certification
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the planning profession
• Three years of supervisory experience preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience with urban planning, transportation planning, parks, recreation and open space planning, or comprehensive planning projects
• Thorough knowledge of urban planning and development and local government policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships with staff, officials and stakeholders and to resolve complaints
• Ability to work with local government staff and officials and interpret complex rules and regulations
• Knowledge of public involvement and public dispute resolutions
• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain technical issues to non-technical municipal staff, officials, and residents
• Ability to envision alternatives to the physical and social environments in which we live
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Publisher, Teams, and One Note)
• ESRI Geographic Information Systems software experience and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator) preferred
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines
• Ability to travel throughout Chicago metropolitan area (own transportation)

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with grant writing and administration
• Economic development and market concepts preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Financial planning program
• Life and disability insurance
• Tax savings plans
• Coverage for accidents, cancer, and critical illnesses
• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Parental leave
• Flexible work arrangements, including the option to work from home and/or work a flexible schedule
• 401k plans with expert financial advisors
• Employee Stock Ownership program

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