Senior Land Use Planner

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Land Use Planning

Our Land Use Planning team is a dynamic group of landscape architects and planners who bring creativity, technical expertise, and strategic insight to every project. We're passionate about uncovering land design opportunities and crafting thoughtful, effective land use plans and permitting strategies that help our clients turn vision into reality. From concept-level area master planning and visual simulations to detailed landscape design, due diligence assessments, and complex permitting processes, our work is as diverse as it is impactful. If you're driven to shape the built environment and want to be part of a collaborative team that’s making a difference across communities, we invite you to be a part of the People Who Make it Happen!

Summary

The Senior Land Use Planner 1 delivers planning, landscape architecture, and land development projects by applying an advanced understanding of land use regulations and site plan development knowledge to large, complex projects. Duties include conducting research and site analysis, reviewing municipal land use regulations, analyzing data, preparing land use applications and public notices, and preparing technical reports and presentation materials with no oversight. The person in this position is expected to mentor others, exercise a strong work ethic, an appetite to learn new concepts, and have excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills. This person should demonstrate an advanced understanding of land use concepts and be able to quickly apply them to complex project scenarios. They are expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Advanced
• Market Sector Software (Microsoft Project) - Advanced

Technical Expertise

Teamwork

Technical leader / mentor on large and complex projects with excellent communication skills. Answers questions from those with less experience and takes action based on the needs of the team. Orchestrates complex and multi-disciplinary teams to execute planning projects.

Project Delivery

Leads the production of, and provides quality control for the following :

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Demonstrates ability to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Ability to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex projects and breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Demonstrates ability to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver projects on time and on budget. Mentors others.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Interprets and advises on the following codes and plan documents. Actively mentors others on interpreting codes and plan documents. Understands when deviation from codes is appropriate and processes to achieve deviations. Actively mentors others in code deviations or amendments to codes and plans. Understands limitations and design parameters afforded under applicable codes :

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large and complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Engages as industry expert on complex projects and pursuits. Leads technical aspects of project interviews. Mentors others.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work / Accountability

Efficiently performs the most technically complex and demanding technical work without supervision. Reviews the work of others and mentors others on complex project tasks. May also perform project management duties as needed including preparing scope of work and fee proposals for projects.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor :

Education and / or Experience

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.