JOB SUMMARY  

PlaceWorks has an immediate need for a full-time, Associate or Senior Planner to join our Planning team. The candidate selected  for this position would ideally be based in our Santa Ana or Los Angeles office locations. We are looking for an individual with at  least 5 years of professional experience related to planning (including through an internship or fellowship) and who is creative, outgoing, self-starting, and passionate about public engagement and helping shape and improve communities through their  work. We work in a wide array of communities throughout California, and we encourage diverse candidates from non-traditional  backgrounds (e.g., community engagement, public relations) to apply.  

Working in a collaborative and casual work environment under the guidance of PlaceWorks’ outreach practice area leader, this  planner would be expected to work jointly on planning projects but would have a primary focus on helping to develop and  execute several outreach initiatives companywide and serve as outreach support to all practice areas and office locations. Typical  projects of our planning practice include general and specific plans, master plans, zoning, housing policy, urban  revitalization/infill, and local/regional transportation plans, as well as community engagement. This planner would likely be  involved in the following: 

• Preparing Public Participation Plans  

• Facilitating community workshops at various scales (small and large group) 

• Working with or coordinating with CBO’s  

• Setting up/facilitating digital and in person meetings sometimes in multiple languages (with translation) 

• Becoming a member of, actively participating in, and obtaining a Certificate in Foundations Course with the International  Association of Public Participation (IAP2 USA). (All of these would be funded by PlaceWorks.) 

You’re most likely a fit if: 

• You love planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work. 

• You can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment, including a virtual, work from home  environment when needed. 

• You have strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills and aren’t afraid to ask questions.  • You are familiar with IAP2 USA’s Spectrum of Participation and tools that are associated with each level of engagement. 

• Supporting authentic engagement with diverse communities excites you, and you’re willing to jump in to help with  high profile and often sensitive outreach efforts. You may be asked to coordinate events or meetings, prepare and  assemble materials/supplies, and talk to community members both virtually and in person. 

• You can support and be part of virtual engagement events through platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and similar. 

• You are familiar with or have a desire to learn more about online engagement tools such as Social Pinpoint,  Mentimeter, and other online tools that help to support our in-person outreach efforts. 

• You’re able to attend and travel to client meetings and community workshops which may occur on weekday nights and  weekends . 

• You have professional acumen to cultivate working relationships with clients, community-based organizations, and  other firms.  

• You can manage your time to produce final project documents and products by stated deadlines and can work  effectively on multiple projects at once. 

• You’re interested in assisting with marketing, business development, and proposal efforts for planning and outreach work.  

• You have experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). 

• Not required, but a huge plus! -- You are fluent in Spanish and can translate at community workshops/public meetings  as well as for documents.

Outreach Planner (Southern California)_Job Ad_Nov 2021.docx Page 1 of 2 

TO APPLY  

To be considered for this opportunity, submit your cover letter, resume, and writing samples and/or design portfolio as a single  PDF (no greater than 10MB) with the email subject line, “Planner – Community Engagement Focus” to careers@placeworks.com. In your email or cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in. 

ABOUT PLACEWORKS 

Based in California, PlaceWorks is one of the premier planning, design, and environmental services firms in the U.S. 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. We are passionate  about our work and together with our clients, will continue to create great places. To learn more about the work we do, please  visit our website: www.placeworks.com.  

To our employees, we offer interesting and diverse project work; a casual, collaborative, and flexible work environment; training,  professional development, and career growth opportunities; a comprehensive benefits package (for full-time employees); and  the chance to work amongst industry leaders, practice area founders, and friendly, supportive, and dedicated colleagues.  

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.