What are the responsibilities and job description for the Urban Planner position at Baxter & Woodman?
POSITION: Urban Planner
POSITION LOCATION: Houston or Katy, TX
POSITION SUMMARY:
Experienced professionals and recent graduates alike encounter more than just a job at Baxter & Woodman they discover a lasting, rewarding career with a recognized leader in technology and innovation. Baxter & Woodman offers an exceptional work environment. Named a 2023 Zweig Best Firms To Work For means we appreciate and value our staff, providing them with a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible work schedules, an outstanding 401K match, and more.
We are hiring a talented Urban Planner professional to join the planning team in our Katy or Houston, TX office. The Urban Planner will perform various general and specialized professional planning functions, including creating and implementing comprehensive plans; strategic plans; existing and future land use maps; zoning maps; unified development codes; and special area plans, including neighborhood plans, downtown master plans, and parks and open space plans. 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 should be proficient at assisting with public engagement efforts, and providing technical expertise in analyzing data and providing development assistance services to a variety of municipal clients.
POSITION DUTIES:
- Assist in developing a variety of planning studies; providing technical expertise in analyzing data and preparing reports for addressing short-term and long-range projects and land use issues, while providing land development assistance services to municipal clients.
- Research and revise municipal regulatory codes and ordinances to achieve desired results.
- Assist with facilitating public engagement activities. Produce public engagement materials and collect input from stakeholders.
- Communicate complex planning-related concepts and solutions to the general public through the creation of graphic and conceptual renderings.
- Make presentations to a range of audiences, including clients, public officials, and the general public.
- When required, perform on-call staff planner functions for local municipalities.
- Coordinate with colleagues in fulfilling the programmatic and technical requirements for stormwater management, grading, utilities infrastructure, transportation, civil engineering-related issues.
- Review permit applications for compliance with municipal comprehensive plans, thoroughfare plans, code of ordinances and other land development regulations.
- Help to advance the planning profession through making presentations about relevant planning topics at national and state conferences and symposia.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelors degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, urban design, or related professional field.
- General knowledge of land, urban, and regional planning and the transportation, energy, and ecological systems therein, including special area planning solutions for districts, neighborhoods, and corridors.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and One Note). Experience utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) software is considered a plus.
- Excellent technical writing, graphic, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to analyze demographic data and identify trends in employment, health and other areas.
- Ability to work with local government staff and officials to interpret and apply land development codes and subdivision regulations.
- Working knowledge of effective public engagement strategies, tools and techniques.
- Ability to articulate and explain technical issues to non-technical municipal staff, officials, and the general public.
- Ability to work collaboratively with developers, designers, and public officials.
- Knowledge of urban spatial structure and the way cities operate and function. Knowledge of municipal systems operations and management, including utilities infrastructure, stormwater management, water distribution, and wastewater collection and treatment systems.
- Ability to envision, characterize, and give form to alternative physical and social living environments.
- Ability to travel throughout Houston metropolitan area (own transportation).
Baxter & Woodman is an equal opportunity - affirmative action M/F/Vet/Disability employer