Professional Planning Jobs

Senior and Principal Planners (Detroit)

McKenna

Join the talented team at McKenna, recently named one of Crain's Detroit Business' 2024 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan! McKenna’s planning, design, and building professionals help municipal leaders develop and maintain communities for real life.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Our Senior and Principal Planner positions support new and ongoing business in southeastern Michigan. The ideal candidate will be able to work a hybrid schedule from Detroit.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve on projects, helping to deliver creative solutions to our clients throughout the Midwest, projects range from providing ongoing and continuing service in the areas of zoning, to special projects in planning, design, economic development, etc.
• Assist Firm Leaders in preparing for and delivering public presentations and facilitating public meetings with boards, commissions, and other stakeholder groups.
• Deliver graphically rich work.
• Build relationships with current and future McKenna clients.
• Support night meetings as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A graduate degree in Urban Planning or related field or equivalent experience.
• Three- six years’ experience in professional planning and/or design positions, municipal or private.
• AICP, NCI certifications a plus.
• Specialization demonstrated by portfolio or equivalent advanced zoning experience.
• Experience with public engagement and public speaking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Apps and TEAMS.
• Passion for planning.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply send resume to hr@mcka.com. Please identify the position for which you are applying.

McKenna is an Equal Opportunity Employer celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion.

City Planner II or III (Senior Planner)

City of Ferndale

Department:  Community and Economic Development

Location:  Ferndale City Hall

Salary Range:  $64,793 to $89,008

FLSA:  Exempt/Non-Union

Employment Type:  Full-Time

The City of Ferndale is seeking a City Planner II or III (Senior Planner) to join our Community & Economic Development team. This position plays a key role in managing planning, zoning, and development programs while ensuring smart, sustainable growth for our community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct land use analysis, site plan reviews, and ordinance updates.
• Administer zoning regulations and long-range planning initiatives.
• Coordinate Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals activities.
• Lead or assist in community engagement, public meetings, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Oversee complex development projects and provide professional planning guidance.

Qualifications:

• Planner II: Bachelor’s degree in planning and at least two years of professional planning experience.
• Planner III (Senior Planner): Bachelor's degree (Master’s preferred) and at least three years of professional planning experience. AICP certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of zoning laws, land use planning, and urban development principles.
• Excellent communication, research, and project management skills.

Evening and weekend availability may be required.

Salary is $64,793 to $89,008 commensurate with experience. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, FSA, and Retirement Plans are available. Visit www.ferndalemi.gov/jobs to apply. Application deadline is March 6, 2025.

Finance Director

Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS)

The Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS), located within the Battle Creek Michigan urbanized area, is seeking a Finance Director. This is a professional position at a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) involving the financial coordination of an areawide metropolitan transportation planning program. Primary duties are oversight of the day-to-day operations of BCATS’ finance and office management within the policies and guidelines adopted by the BCATS Policy Committee, as well as the requirements of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the USDOT relative to metropolitan planning organizations. This position interacts with local governmental agencies, MDOT, FHWA, and FTA staff personnel and the public. This position reports directly to the BCATS Executive Director. The position is a full-time, salaried position with traditional weekday (M-F) office hours at a staff office located in the City of Springfield, Michigan. There may also be evening meetings, travel, and events outside of the regular hours schedule.

Required education and experience: Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, urban planning, civil engineering, public administration, finance, economics, business, accounting, or a related field AND five years of progressively responsible finance or transportation planning experience. A Master’s degree in an appropriate field may substitute for two years of required finance or planning experience, at the discretion of BCATS. Competitive salary and benefits. BCATS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Link to Full Position Posting and to Apply (PDF): Click Here

Planner 1 – Urban Design (Historic Preservation)

City of Detroit

Detroit’s Planning and Development Department seeks to fill a Planner 1 – Urban Design position in the City’s Historic Preservation division.

The Planner 1 is an entry-level planning professional who receives direction and guidance from higher-level planners and managers. This position will assist intermediate/senior preservation planners with administrative support for the Historic District Commission (HDC) and the City’s historic districts.  Additional responsibilities include support and assistance with the administration of city-wide preservation plans and initiatives, including support of historic preservation scope within other department projects. The Planner 1 assists and supports the intake and internal review of HDC applications, violations, and communication.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course of work in historic preservation, urban design, city planning, environmental planning, architecture, landscape architecture or other related field of study. A master's degree is preferred.

Experience
For entry into the Planner position, no work experience is required; however, minimum education requirements must be met. One year of experience in city planning, architectural design, urban design or historic preservation highly preferred.

Fluency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, drafting software such as AutoCAD or Rhino, and digital 3D modeling software such as Revit or Sketchup preferred.

Equivalency
A combination of education and professional experience that meets job requirements will be
considered on an individual basis.

Cover Letter and Resume
Applicants are required to include a cover letter and resume when submitting their application through the City’s employment portal.

Planning, Zoning & Building Department Coordinator
Northfield Township (Whitmore Lake, MI)

Full-time  7:30am-5:30pm Monday thru Thursday

$25.00 per hour

RESPONSIBILITES:

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Day-to-day administrative operations of the Planning, Zoning and Building Departments including generating permits and processing payments and responding to inquiries / requests regarding the Township’s planning functions and procedures for obtaining building permits, regulatory reviews, zoning changes.
• Serve as administrative support to Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals by preparing and posting meeting packets, advertising for Public Hearings in accordance with state law and local ordinances, maintaining files and upkeep of associated township webpages.
• Learn the laws and regulations regarding zoning and land use in order to inform customers / developers / residents where development can occur and provide basic regulations that may be required.
• Shepherd development projects and building permits through the regulatory process.
• General administrative duties.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Must have excellent customer service skills, high level of integrity, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.  Should also have basic computer skills, excellent written & oral communication, excellent math skills, meticulous attention to detail, and willingness to learn new things.

Required: High School diploma or equivalent; 3-5 years experience with Building, Planning and/or Zoning; Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Preferred but not required: College degree and/or certification a plus;  Previous experience with municipal government preferred; Exposure to BS&A program modules a plus.

Resumes accepted until position filled. See web site for full details
www.twp-northfield.org/job_postings/index.php

Assistant Planner

McKenna

Join the talented team at McKenna, recently named one of Crain's Detroit Business' 2024 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan! McKenna’s planning, design, and building professionals help municipal leaders develop and maintain communities for real life.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Planner assists Senior Planners and Project Managers in providing on-time, on-budget planning and design work. The position offers a hybrid schedule based in either our Northville or Grand Rapids office.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve on a multitude of projects to deliver creative solutions to our clients throughout the Midwest, primarily local units of government
• Assist Senior Planners and Project Managers in preparing for and delivering public presentations and facilitating public meetings, in front of municipal boards, commissions, concerned stakeholder groups, and professional peer organizations in communities throughout the greater Detroit area
• Deliver graphically rich work
• Build relationships with current and future McKenna clients
• Support night meetings with Senior Planners or Project Managers

QUALIFICATIONS

1. An undergraduate degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture or related field. (Master’s degree preferred) Candidates with equivalent experience will also be considered
2. Zero to two years’ experience in professional planning and/or design positions, municipal or private
3. Public engagement and zoning administration experience
4. Ability to respectfully function as a team member under direction of others

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to hr@mcka.com.

McKenna is an Equal Opportunity Employer celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds and transferable experience are encouraged to apply.