Planner /Assistant Planner

Urban Planning Partners (UPP) is hiring a full-time Planner or

Assistant Planner to join our team.

Salary Range: $66,500 - $94,000 depending on experience

Urban Planning Partners (UPP) is seeking a motivated, can-do Assistant Planner / Planner to join our collaborative, mission-driven team in Oakland. Our work is dynamic, impactful, and spans the full spectrum of planning services, from housing policy to CEQA review to land-use approvals. UPP is known for designing a way forward on novel and complex projects where no obvious solution exists. We innovate within existing planning policy and help set new precedents. We are achievers passionate about building better communities, and we have fun doing it. We value flexibility and work-life balance while helping each other succeed and thrive.

As part of our small, nimble team, you'll never be siloed. You'll build strong partnerships, continually expand your skills, and help bring community visions to life. You'll learn from UPP's "planning playbook," developed over years of partnering with diverse clients and deciphering the trickiest planning codes to help communities thrive. This role is inherently collaborative and requires strong communication skills and well-tended relationships-within the team as well as with clients, constituents, stakeholders, and agency representatives.

What You'll Work On

Depending on your skill and experience, responsibilities may include:

• Housing Policy Assistance - Supporting jurisdictions in adopting pro-housing policies (e.g., objective design standards, residential zoning updates, ADU ordinances).

• GIS Mapping & Graphics - Creating maps and visuals, performing spatial analysis, and producing graphics for reports and community engagement.

• Policy & Entitlements- Evaluating development potential, preparing policy assessments, managing entitlement processes, and coordinating streamlined review.

• CEQA Analysis - Preparing CEQA documents and conducting environmental review for infill, mixed-use, and transit-oriented projects, ranging from exemptions to EIRs.

• Community Engagement - Designing and facilitating engagement activities from surveys to large workshops, using innovative approaches to reach representative voices.

• Contract Planning - Providing municipal planning services including design review, plan checks, use permits, public notices, staff reports, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Marketing - Everyone at UPP assists with proposals and social media as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's 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 discipline.

• Assistant Planner: 1-2 years of full-time professional experience (not including internships) in a planning discipline, with a demonstrated understanding of the planning process.

• Planner: 2-4 years of full-time professional experience (not including internships) in planning, housing and community development, community outreach, and policy analysis. Experience with and-use planning and CEQA experience is a definite plus. Demonstrated understanding of the planning process.

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

• Flexible, detail-oriented, and organized; able to produce high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Navigating unclear or changing environments comes naturally to you, and you thrive in tackling challenges with agility and resilience, especially when priorities shift.

• Proactive problem-solver that employs initiative, creativity, and above all, discernment. You do not hesitate to ask questions and know who to bug, (and when) to get what you need to get tasks done on time.

• Collaborative team player willing to pitch in where needed-this is critical in a small boutique firm; we are all creating this firm together. You value curiosity and equanimity over ego.

• Legally eligible to work in the U.S. Valid driver's license.

• Our team works on site four days per week (Mon-Thu) in our Oakland office. We foster a fun, collegial atmosphere that values productivity and high-quality work fueled by snacks and coffee (or tea).

• This position attends occasional evening/weekend meetings and travels as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced GIS and graphics experience.

• Policy and research experience, someone who is curious and loves the art of problem solving.
• Bilingual (spoken and written) relevant to local communities
• Community Outreach experience

Why Urban Planning Partners?

At UPP, we help create better places in partnership with our clients and the communities where we work. We provide land use planning policy, community engagement, municipal planning, and environmental review consulting services for complex projects throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. We are actively involved in SPUR, ULI, and APA.

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. With a savvy, industrious team of eight, we are small, yet mighty We've built a strong reputation by delivering a deep portfolio of innovative projects, many with novel approaches.

We are located one block from 19th St BART in Oakland on a quiet, tree-lined block.

Benefits include:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

• Medical, dental, group life, and long-term disability

• Transit reimbursement and monthly wellness stipend

• 401k with 3% company contribution plus profit sharing

• Charitable donation matching and referral bonus program

UPP is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to Apply:

Please submit
your resume and cover letter describing your interest in UPP and why you're a great fit. No phone calls please.

Thanks, and we look forward to reviewing your application

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