DESCRIPTION:

MRB Group is a nationwide multi-disciplinary, high-energy local government services firm where creativity and innovation are valued. We are recruiting a Senior Planning Associate to join our growing planning practice.

As a Senior Planning Associate, you will:

Prepare Project Scopes and Budgets

• Develop project scopes, written content, cost estimates, and proposal submissions.
• Prepare itemized budgets that reflect staff time, consultant fees, travel, materials, and other project-related expenses.
• Conduct research on similar projects to inform scope development and cost estimating.

Lead, Oversee, and Deliver Planning Projects

• Spearhead and manage projects from kick-off to completion.
• Monitor and choreograph project budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Translate complex planning concepts and data into accessible language.
• Align with the project manager’s strategic direction to fulfill client goals; when leading a project, establish and implement those strategies independently.
• Oversee multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously, ensuring collaboration across cross-functional teams while adhering to timelines and budget limitations.

Provide Support and Knowledge

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and provide support to the National Director of Long Range Planning.
• Supervise and engage in research efforts.
• Serve as a core technical contributor throughout all stages of project development.
• Organize and maintain planning team documentation, ensuring all records are properly collected and stored in designated systems or platforms.

Foster Collaboration, Assess Results, and Present Findings

• Design and implement inclusive public engagement strategies to gather input from diverse community stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, open houses, and other types of engagement events.
• Develop materials and data collection tools for distribution.
• Manage virtual engagement tools to reach broader audiences.
• Sort, analyze, and translate input into actionable insights.
• Create and deliver presentations to a variety of audiences in a clear and accessible manner.

Utilize Technology to Visualize Concepts and Work Efficiently

• Draft clear, concise, and well-organized technical documents, including plans, reports, memos, and applications.
• Utilize geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze spatial data, create maps, and support data-driven planning decisions.
• Create graphic materials for public engagement tools, including boards, flyers, posters, and digital platforms, using software like Adobe Creative Suite.
• Produce illustrative site plans, sections, and diagrams that support storytelling and community engagement efforts.
• Create 3D visualizations and conceptual renderings using tools like SketchUp to illustrate proposed land use, urban design, or redevelopment scenarios.
• Use tools like Photoshop to enhance site photos, streetscapes, and maps to visually communicate before-and-after conditions.

Represent MRB Group in a Professional Manner

• Represent the team during meetings, client interactions, and other project-related activities.
• Stay well-informed of Texas planning laws and regulatory requirements relevant to planning initiatives.
• Operate within clearly defined project parameters and assigned responsibilities.
• Take part in scheduled internal and client-facing meetings, as delegated.

Our planning team strives to be on the cutting edge of community planning, engaging in innovative, collaborative, sustainable, and community-driven approaches.

This position will initially be a remote position, and the selected candidate will need to reside within a commutable distance of Fort Worth. You will primarily work with communities across central Texas and the metroplex (with the potential to assist our SC and NY offices) to conduct planning, local government, and urban design projects.

The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for community-driven planning, with extensive experience managing complex planning projects. As a firm with clients ranging from small rural towns to large metropolitan areas, we seek a versatile candidate that can incorporate best planning practices into projects for communities of all sizes.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will have extensive consulting and/or municipal planning experience and a proven track record of managing projects on time and within budget. You will be an integral part of developing the firm’s long range planning practice, developing client relationships, and mentoring junior planning staff. You will need to demonstrate exceptional project management, problem solving, written and oral communication, public engagement, and teambuilding skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree (Masters Preferred) in Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a related field
• 7+ years of planning experience, with at least 3 years of consulting with municipalities
• AICP certification required; CNU-A certification preferred
• Working knowledge of software programs such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), SketchUp and/or ArcGIS
• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, regulations, and techniques in the following planning areas:
  • Land Use
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Neighborhood Revitalization
  • Urban Design
  • Sustainable Development
• Passion for continued learning and planning innovation
• Team-oriented and desire to engage in interdisciplinary projects
• Confident public speaker and engagement facilitator

LOCATION: Remote (within a commutable distance of Fort Worth)

BENEFITS: Our full-time benefits include: Competitive pay; comprehensive health coverage—100% employer-paid HDHP + HSA contributions, or 75% toward Copay/Hybrid plans (with Rx & vision, family options, day-one coverage); voluntary dental/vision; company-paid life, AD&D, STD & LTD; 401(k) with 20% match; PTO & holidays (incl. floating); EAP; FSA; supplemental insurance; stock options; licensure support; tuition reimbursement; mentorship; flex time, remote work, and team events.