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Join to apply for the Land Use Planner (Senior level) role at DOWL

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Join to apply for the Land Use Planner (Senior level) role at DOWL

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

Are you a senior-level land use planner looking to bring your expertise to impactful, high-profile projects? Join our team as a Land Use Planner 5, where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of communities through thoughtful planning, innovative design, and strategic development. In this role, you'll apply your advanced knowledge of land use regulations and site planning to support large, complex projects with autonomy and precision. You'll conduct in-depth research and site analysis, review municipal codes, analyze data, and prepare technical reports, public notices, and presentation materials—without the need for oversight. We're looking for a self-motivated professional with a strong work ethic, excellent organizational and leadership skills, and a passion for continuous learning. While you'll work independently, you'll also collaborate closely with other skilled planners and be part of a supportive team environment that values input, growth, and shared success. If you're ready to take on a leadership role where your planning expertise can truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

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

• Advanced understanding of technical fundamentals
• Demonstrates expertise to others within and beyond the market sector
• Provides unique solutions to complex technical challenges
• Leads internal mentoring and quality control of complex deliverables
• Leads presentations at neighborhood meetings, commission/council hearings, and stakeholder groups for projects with a high degree of complexity and/or opposition

Teamwork

Team player and team leader with the ability to follow on large or complex projects. Provides clear communication and direction, sets expectations, and takes responsibility for results of the team.

Project Delivery

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

• Technical reports and memos
• Regulatory compliance findings
• Preliminary project schedules
• Public presentation materials
• Scopes of work and fee proposals

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 limitations and design parameters afforded under applicable codes:

• State land use statutes
• State land use administrative code
• Local development/regulatory code
• Federal permitting programs (NEPA, ESA, Section 106 of the NHPA, etc.)

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large and complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Participates in project interviews.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Primarily performs advanced technical tasks on complex, demanding projects for the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Mentors others with less experience. May provide some project management services including preparing scope of work and fee proposals for projects and direct client management and negotiations for contracts and contract amendments.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goalsfor performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Masters Degree in Urban Planning or related field (e.g., Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architecture) preferred
• Years of experience required: 10 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 9 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred
• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record

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. Position may include periodic site visits and inspection work on project sites.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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

Are you a senior-level land use planner looking to bring your expertise to impactful, high-profile projects? Join our team as a Land Use Planner 5, where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of communities through thoughtful planning, innovative design, and strategic development. In this role, you'll apply your advanced knowledge of land use regulations and site planning to support large, complex projects with autonomy and precision. You'll conduct in-depth research and site analysis, review municipal codes, analyze data, and prepare technical reports, public notices, and presentation materials—without the need for oversight. We're looking for a self-motivated professional with a strong work ethic, excellent organizational and leadership skills, and a passion for continuous learning. While you'll work independently, you'll also collaborate closely with other skilled planners and be part of a supportive team environment that values input, growth, and shared success. If you're ready to take on a leadership role where your planning expertise can truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

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

• Advanced understanding of technical fundamentals
• Demonstrates expertise to others within and beyond the market sector
• Provides unique solutions to complex technical challenges
• Leads internal mentoring and quality control of complex deliverables
• Leads presentations at neighborhood meetings, commission/council hearings, and stakeholder groups for projects with a high degree of complexity and/or opposition

Teamwork

Team player and team leader with the ability to follow on large or complex projects. Provides clear communication and direction, sets expectations, and takes responsibility for results of the team.

Project Delivery

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

• Technical reports and memos
• Regulatory compliance findings
• Preliminary project schedules
• Public presentation materials
• Scopes of work and fee proposals

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 limitations and design parameters afforded under applicable codes:

• State land use statutes
• State land use administrative code
• Local comprehensive plans
• Local development/regulatory code
• Clean Water Act (wetland) permit programs
• Federal permitting programs (NEPA, ESA, Section 106 of the NHPA, etc.)

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large and complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Participates in project interviews.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Primarily performs advanced technical tasks on complex, demanding projects for the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Mentors others with less experience. May provide some project management services including preparing scope of work and fee proposals for projects and direct client management and negotiations for contracts and contract amendments.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goalsfor performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Masters Degree in Urban Planning or related field (e.g., Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architecture) preferred
• Years of experience required: 10 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 9 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred
• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record

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. Position may include periodic site visits and inspection work on project sites.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Consulting

• Industries

  Civil Engineering

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