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ASSOCIATE OR SENIOR POLICY PLANNER

Urban Planning Partners (UPP) seeks two full-time Associate or Senior Planners to join our team.

We recently secured a significant amount of new and exciting work related to housing policy, community and stakeholder engagement, and planning entitlements for development projects. We also continue to have lots of CEQA and contract planning work. Our team is amazing, and we have great clients too! Come join the UPP team and work with us on the following:

  • Housing Policy Strategy for numerous jurisdictions to help them adopt policies and processes to become pro-housing (e.g., objective standards, residential zoning, and ADU ordinances); preparing many Housing Elements (several Bay Area communities and the Town of Paradise) as well as serving as the Housing Collaborative Coordinator for Alameda County and its local jurisdictions. 

  • Development Land Use Entitlement Management for developers, non-profits, and corporate companies throughout Northern California such as the Sierra Nevada Olympic Winter Sports Museum @ Squaw Valley, Holliday Development, Factory OS, Panoramic Interests, Related Companies, Costco, Hines Development, and Social Construct. 

  • Community Engagement to collect input from stakeholders and educate jurisdictions and communities around housing issues including serving as the East Bay Engagement Coordinator for Link21 that includes a new transbay passenger rail crossing between Oakland and San Francisco and outreach and education associated with Housing Policy and new development projects. 

  • Contract Planning for jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area generally on a project-basis (versus staffing a full-time position for a city). Some our clients include Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Foster City, San Mateo, San Carlos, and Redwood City. 

  • Planning Policy, in addition to our Housing Policy work, we are also preparing several Safety Elements, Specific Plans, and Downtown Plans. 

We expect that you will work on a combination of the above and possibly some CEQA work, although we are recruiting for Environmental Planners independent of these positions. You will have an opportunity to manage some projects and provide project support on others.  

Requirements: Associate Planners generally have 3+ years of planning experience and some project management experience and Senior Planners 6+ years of planning experience, with considerable project management experience (AICP certification preferred). Successful candidates will also have:

  • Bachelor or Master’s degree, preferably from an accredited planning program. Alternatively, a degree focused on city/urban planning, housing policy, community development, environmental studies, or related field.  

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects (including client communication, contract and budget management), ensure quality control, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with others. 

  • A solid understanding of zoning and other planning policies and regulations, and typical city planning approval process. 

  • Excellent writing/editing, research, and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), and communication skills. 

  • Ability to work collaboratively in teams and willingness to do what is needed to get the job done—this is critical in a small boutique firm, everyone does everything. 

  • Flexible, detail-oriented, and have excellent time management and organizational skills. 

  • Ability to take initiative, be a problem solver, and work in a fast-paced and professional environment. 

  • Legal eligibility to work in the U.S. and a current driver’s license. 

Desired:

  • Urban design experience (we have several objective design standards projects and specific plan and currently use subconsultants for our urban design work). 

  • Experience in public speaking including presentations at public meetings and conferences. 

  • Working knowledge of Adobe CS and/or GIS.  

  • Active membership in a professional organization.  

  • Experience, training and/or interest in community engagement.

Because of COVID-19 this position may be a combination of remote and office work based out of Oakland or possibly the Peninsula or South Bay.

Why Urban Planning Partners? At UPP, we help create better places in partnership with our clients and the communities where we work. We credit the success of our projects and the satisfaction of clients to our amazing staff and commitment to our core values: we care, collaborate, and reach, and we are real. UPP has become – and remains – a vital and respected firm, despite our comparatively small size (staff of 15). Come join our team! 

UPP offers excellent benefits (vacation, sick, and holiday pay; medical, dental, group life, and long-term disability insurance plans); Clipper subsidy; 401k with 3% company contribution, profit sharing, and employee referral bonus program. UPP is an equal opportunity employer. To apply and be considered, please email a cover letter and resume to contact@up-partners.com with “Associate or Senior Planner Application” in the subject line. Please attach a single PDF file that includes both your cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, express what position you are applying for and why you are interested in UPP and are a great fit for this position. No phone calls please. Thanks, and we look forward to reviewing your application!