Entry-level Environmental Planner

PlaceWorks has an immediate need for a full-time, entry-level planner to join our Environmental Team. The candidate selected for this position could be based in our Berkeley, Los Angeles, or Orange County office. We are looking for individuals with 0 – 3+ years of professional experience (such as through an internship) related to planning, who have an interest in environmental planning and environmental analysis (California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA]). The ideal candidate has excellent writing, research, and critical thinking skills, and is self-starting, outgoing, and passionate about helping shape and improve communities and the environment through their work. 

Working in a professional and collaborative work environment under the guidance of skilled project managers and other senior staff, this planner will assist in the preparation and processing of environmental documents and with other aspects of the CEQA and/or NEPA processes to contribute to the successful completion of projects at a variety of scales, working concurrently on more than one project. We work throughout California and our environmental planning practice conducts environmental review for private- and public-sector project work, including general and specific plans, schools, parks, mixed-use development, housing projects, commercial centers, and other types of projects. 

You’re most likely a fit if:

• You enjoy planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work.
• You are familiar with or are genuinely interested in learning the CEQA and NEPA process and growing your skills in technical writing and impact analysis.
• You’re a self-starter who is also a team player, able to work both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment—balancing remote work with in-office collaboration as required based on office location. You have excellent writing, formatting, and proofreading skills and are detail oriented.
• You’re a skilled researcher and enjoy analyzing and compiling research and data as required by a project.
• You are able to process complex information and think critically about how to convey information simply and clearly.
• You have strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills and aren’t afraid to ask questions. 
• Engaging with the public excites you, and you’re willing to jump in to help with outreach efforts. You may be asked to coordinate meetings, prepare and assemble materials/supplies, give presentations, and/or facilitate discussions at workshops.
• You’re able to attend and travel to client meetings and community workshops which typically occur on weekday nights and weekends, and to perform site visits in a variety of locations.
• You have the professional acumen to cultivate working relationships with clients, community-based organizations, and other firms. 
• Multi-tasking is second nature and you can produce final products by stated deadlines. 
• You’re interested in assisting with marketing, business development, and proposal efforts for environmental work. 
• You have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; land use or environmental law; environmental studies or sciences; political science; public administration; or a related field. This education requirement can be waived provided that the candidate can demonstrate an equivalent combination of skills and/or experience. 
• You navigate the digital world with solid, intermediate-level computer skills, learn new tools quickly, and have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed.

The pay range for this position is $27.88 - $41.83 per hour, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors.

When applying, attach your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample as three (3) separate PDF attachments. Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, include a link to your writing sample if it exceeds 500KB. In your cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in.

Job Requirements:

(see above job description)

About PlaceWorks:

Based in California, PlaceWorks is a 100% employee-owned planning, design, and environmental consulting firm. The firm’s expertise and services span a wide range of practices, including city planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental review, GIS, and community participation. Our interdisciplinary, holistic approach integrates sustainability, economic vitality, community goals, and collaboration with our clients in the planning and design process. With a 50-year history of providing award-winning projects, we are passionate about our work and together with our clients, will continue to create great places. Learn more about the work we do and how we do it at: https://placeworks.com/. 

PlaceWorks’ mission is to envision and create great places, and that includes our own workplace. You can view the perks and benefits we offer our employees at: https://placeworks.com/our-culture/.

PlaceWorks is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at PlaceWorks are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status covered by applicable federal, state, or local law.