Associate Planner

As an Associate Planner at Giffels Webster, your primary responsibilities will include identifying regulatory deficiencies, assisting with master planning, conducting plan reviews, and mentoring junior planners. You'll be actively involved in preparing zoning ordinances, analyzing demographic data, and conducting field visits to enhance design understanding. Engaging with clients, attending important commission meetings, and preparing reports will also be essential parts of your role.

To qualify for the Associate Planner role at Giffels Webster, candidates should ideally possess a degree in urban planning or community development from a PAB accredited university and have 3-5 years of practical experience in related fields. Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and the Microsoft Office Suite is essential, and while not mandatory, having an AICP accreditation is highly preferable for this position.

Giffels Webster values professional growth and offers various development programs for the Associate Planner position. These include tuition reimbursement for further education and opportunities for mentorship that allow you to build a robust career within a supportive environment. We believe in empowering our staff with the necessary skills for success, thus enabling effective contributions to our community planning projects.

At Giffels Webster, the Associate Planner will engage in a variety of projects, including community master plans, zoning ordinance developments, thorough plan reviews for client proposals, and demographic research to support land planning activities. You'll enjoy a diverse portfolio of work that impacts small towns, rural areas, and urban developments, allowing you to make a significant difference in various communities.

Yes, Giffels Webster offers a flexible work environment where, after gaining experience and with supervisor approval, Associate Planners can work hybrid schedules. This arrangement allows you to work remotely for up to two days a week while collaborating in person in the office for the remaining three days, creating a balanced approach to teamwork and self-management.

In managing multiple projects, I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and complexity. I utilize project management tools to track progress and ensure deadlines are met. Effective communication with team members is essential, allowing for collaborative problem-solving when challenges arise. This method enables me to stay organized and deliver quality work on all my projects.

My experience in community planning includes working on master plans in various municipalities, reviewing zoning ordinances, and conducting assessments of development proposals. I'm adept at analyzing demographic data to inform planning decisions and have actively participated in engaging community stakeholders to gather input, ensuring the plans reflect regional needs and aspirations.

I regularly attend workshops and webinars focused on urban planning and zoning regulations. I also subscribe to relevant industry publications and participate in local planning association meetings. This constant engagement helps me stay informed about changes and trends that may impact my work as an Associate Planner, ensuring that the projects I contribute to are compliant and forward-thinking.

When mentoring less experienced planners, I believe in a hands-on approach combined with open communication. I encourage them to ask questions and challenge their ideas, providing constructive feedback. By involving them in key projects and gradually increasing their responsibilities, I help them build confidence in their skills while fostering a supportive learning environment.

A successful project I worked on involved the development of a community master plan for a small town. My role included conducting field visits to assess existing conditions, collaborating with the planning team on zoning regulations, and leading community engagement sessions. Gathering diverse input and synthesizing it into actionable strategies were crucial to the project’s success, which ultimately received positive feedback from both stakeholders and the community.

I am proficient in Adobe InDesign for drafting plans and presentations, and I regularly use the Microsoft Office Suite to handle reports and data analysis. Additionally, I have experience with GIS tools that aid in spatial analysis, allowing me to showcase land use patterns and demographic studies effectively, which are critical in supporting planning initiatives.

Handling conflicts requires patience and a systematic approach. I ensure open lines of communication with all parties involved, allowing everyone to express their concerns. I then focus on finding common ground or alternative solutions that benefit the project’s goals. Being a good listener and mediator has always helped to resolve conflicts amicably while keeping the project on track.

When preparing zoning ordinances, I consider the community's needs, current land use patterns, and compliance with state regulations. It’s important to involve community input to reflect their vision and values. Besides, I ensure clarity and accessibility in the language used, so it’s easily understandable for residents and stakeholders.

Field visits are an integral part of my planning process. They provide vital context for proposed designs, helping me assess site conditions and better understand the community’s needs. During these visits, I engage with community members to gather insights and use my observations to inform my analyses and recommendations effectively.

To present a complicated plan effectively to a lay audience, I focus on simplifying technical jargon and using visual aids such as graphs, maps, and infographics to enhance understanding. My strategy includes breaking down the components of the plan into digestible pieces, addressing questions proactively, and encouraging feedback to gauge understanding and create an interactive atmosphere.