Planner

Summit Design and Engineering Services is an award-winning, multi-disciplined firm headquartered in Hillsborough, NC. Our fast-paced, growth-oriented company strives to deliver innovative, elegant solutions to our clients while providing support and guidance to the communities where we live, work, and play. We have also been recognized throughout the industry: we are the current ACEC/NC Large Firm of the Year (2023) and have been on the NC Triangle Business Journal's Fast 50 for seven years.

At Summit, we know our employees are the backbone of our organization. That's why we've built a collaborative, growth-oriented environment where each team member is valued, heard, and supported in their career goals. We invest directly in our employee's success by offering a wide range of benefits, beyond the basics including student loan reimbursement, paid volunteer hours, education and certification assistance, wellness stipends, and a flexible workplace that encourages work-life balance. When our team succeeds, Summit thrives!

We seek individuals who will contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment. If you're interested in joining over 400 of the industry's best and brightest, we welcome you to apply.

Summit Design and Engineering is seeking a Planner I or Planner II to join our team in Richmond, Virginia. Our Planning Department is a small team of dedicated, flexible planning professionals who work primarily on behalf of local governments in long-range/comprehensive planning, zoning ordinance updates, and related projects.

The ideal candidate will be curious, optimistic, and passionate about planning. It is important that the Planner be principled, caring, and able to meet people where they are in small and rural localities throughout Virginia and North Carolina. We are looking for someone who wants to help grow our department and constantly strives to create better plans and planning processes.

Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive community planning.
• Perform geographic analysis and create maps.
• Provide demographic analysis, data collection and interpretation.
• Use development scenario modeling and provide interpretation.
• Attend, present and facilitate public meetings.
• Create and design documents in support of projects.
• Compile feasibility studies, market analysis and housing assessments.
• Research best planning practices and evolving planning issues.
• Support other Summit departments by doing entitlement work and site assessments.

Minimum Skills and Qualifications:

• Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or closely related field.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
• Strong research skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Strong work ethic and desire for continual learning.
• Proficient in using a computer, MS Office programs, and relevant software
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays (25% - 40% of time currently within VA and NC)
• Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings on occasion.
• Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable motor vehicle record.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Some combination of the following skills and qualifications is preferred:
• Local government experience
• Proficiency with geographic analysis and map making using ArcGIS Desktop.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite
• Project management and progress tracking experience.
• Experience using Adobe software products including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Ability to create renderings using a combination of computer and artistic methods.
• Experience with demographic analysis including accessing, analyzing, and presenting census data.
• Understanding of local government processes, land use law and zoning.
• Understanding of and experience with community long range and comprehensive planning and small area plans.
• Strong design aesthetic

Summit Design and Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action. E-verify.

A background check, including a criminal and driving record check, will be performed. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate. Many factors will be considered when a conviction is present.

Current Openings for Planner Jobs at Summit Design and Engineering Services