Assistant Planner

Mckenna & Company - Northville, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Northville, MI

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

McKenna's Assistant Planners are passionate, talented, and creative professionals who want to make a difference and see their work efforts result in tangible, inspirational outcomes. Our work is purposeful and impacts people by influencing the state of the environment; ultimately, we take pride in helping to improve quality of life in our great Midwestern communities. McKenna's team members enjoy the benefits of our practice, from the diversity of projects in a diverse range of communities, to our fast-paced, creative, and collaborative team culture. The Assistant Planner is committed to assisting Senior Planners and Project Managers in providing on-time, on-budget planning and design work that is of the highest technical and creative quality. Specifically, the Assistant Planner will serve as an Assistant Planner on a multitude of projects, helping to deliver creative solutions to our clients throughout the Midwest, primarily local units of government. Projects range from providing ongoing and continuing service in the areas of zoning, form-based coding, master planning, economic development, and placemaking, to special projects in planning, design, economic development, transportation, etc. The role involves working on harmonious teams of other planners and designers, mapping specialists, graphic designers, and administrative staff. The Assistant Planner will assist Senior Planners and Project Managers in preparing for and delivering public presentations and facilitating public meetings, including in front of municipal boards and commissions, concerned and engaged stakeholder groups, and professional peer organizations. Additionally, the Assistant Planner will deliver graphically rich work products, regardless of individual graphic skills, by collaborating with the team. Building relationships with current and future McKenna clients to increase awareness of McKenna is also a key responsibility. The position requires support for night meetings with Senior Planners or Project Managers as needed, relating to planning, development, and zoning activities within client communities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Assistant Planner on a multitude of projects, helping to deliver creative solutions to clients throughout the Midwest, primarily local units of government.
• Work on harmonious teams of other planners and designers, mapping specialists, graphic designers, and administrative staff.
• Assist Senior Planners and Project Managers in preparing for and delivering public presentations and facilitating public meetings.
• Deliver graphically rich work products, regardless of individual graphic skills, by collaborating with the team.
• Begin building relationships with current and future McKenna clients to increase awareness of McKenna.
• Support night meetings with Senior Planners or Project Managers as needed.

Requirements

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field is preferred.
• Zero (0) to two (2) years of experience in professional planning and/or design positions, whether municipal or private.
• Ability to respectfully function as a productive and enthusiastic member of a team, under direction of McKenna's Leadership Team, Project Directors, and Project Managers.