Senior Urban Planner

Senior Urban Planner I

Stratus® is an integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, interior design, and consulting firm. Consistently ranking among the Top 500 Design Firms in Engineering News-Record, the firm offers a deep bench of industry experts through a highly collaborative approach, delivering innovative solutions across the full project lifecycle. Operating coast to coast, Stratus® serves clients nationwide while maintaining a strategic commitment to supporting high-growth economies and building vibrant communities that foster the professional growth of its team. Serving public- and private-sector clients, the firm is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality service wherever projects take shape. Across the Civic, Commercial, Industrial, Transportation, Education, Water Resources, and Government sectors, we bring precision, insight, and purpose to every project, from targeted renovations to large-scale infrastructure. Stratus® designs spaces, systems, and solutions that perform, endure, and make an impact, delivering on our promise of Better Plans. Better Places.

The Role

The Senior Urban Planner I leads major components of long-range planning, zoning, mobility planning, and policy development projects. This role is responsible for managing analytical workstreams, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, developing planning recommendations, and producing high-quality deliverables that guide client decision-making. The Senior Urban Planner I frequently interfaces with client teams, community stakeholders, and public agencies, contributing to outreach activities, facilitating discussions, and presenting findings. This role supports project management functions, mentors junior staff, and ensures technical accuracy, regulatory alignment, and strategic clarity across all planning outputs.

Responsibilities

• Lead significant portions of planning projects, including comprehensive plans, small-area plans, policy frameworks, zoning assessments, and multimodal studies
• Conduct and oversee complex zoning and land-use analyses, including code interpretation, scenario testing, and policy implications
• Develop planning recommendations, synthesizing spatial analysis, regulatory frameworks, demographic trends, and client goals
• Prepare key sections of major planning documents, including goals, strategies, implementation steps, and supporting narrative content
• Conduct advanced GIS spatial analyses, including forecasting, suitability modeling, redevelopment potential, and land-use capacity
• Facilitate client and stakeholder meetings, presenting findings, collecting input, and revising recommendations to reflect priorities and constraints
• Lead components of community engagement, including workshops, charrettes, open houses, and public presentations
• Evaluate development proposals for zoning compliance, infrastructure implications, transportation impacts, and policy alignment
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineering, architecture, urban design, environmental, and economic specialists
• Monitor and support project schedules, assisting project managers by tracking deliverables, level-of-effort, and task progress
• Mentor Urban Planner I–III staff, providing oversight, feedback, and training on research, GIS, analyses, and report development
• Ensure accuracy and quality control of planning analyses, maps, graphics, and written deliverables

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Geography, Environmental Studies, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience
• Demonstrated experience managing key components of large-scale planning projects
• Strong portfolio or work samples demonstrating advanced planning analysis, writing, and map production

Preferred

• Master's degree in Planning or related discipline
• AICP certification (or progress toward certification)
• Experience presenting to public audiences, elected officials, or regulatory bodies
• Familiarity with economic analysis tools, transportation modeling, or environmental review processes

Why You'll Love Stratus

• A team-oriented environment that values transparency, creativity, and shared success
• Meaningful career paths, leadership opportunities, and space to specialize
• Learning & Development – Education and Professional Licensing
• We believe flexible, hybrid work supports the balance and well-being our team deserves
• Excellent Health Care Programs – Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance options for employees, spouses, and dependents
• 401k Retirement Plan with employer match
• Paid Holidays & Competitive PTO plans