Senior Community Planner / Community Engagement Project Manager

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Community Planner / Community Engagement Project Manager to join our Community Planning team, leading outreach and engagement for planning initiatives that help California communities address growth, housing, land use, and long-range planning priorities.

The position offers opportunities to shape planning strategies, lead meaningful public engagement efforts, build client relationships, mentor staff, and support the continued growth of Rincon's Community Planning practice and community engagement capabilities.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

What You’ll Do

Project Management & Technical Leadership

• Lead outreach and engagement for and facilitation for community planning projects from project initiation through adoption and implementation

• Prepare and oversee complex community outreach and engagement programs for General Plans, Housing Elements, Community Plans, Specific Plans, zoning code updates, and other planning and policy documents

• Manage integrating qualitative analyses from outreach and engagement data into land use, housing, demographic, and policy analyses that support long-range planning decisions, community goals, and implementation strategies

• Manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated planning solutions that align with client goals and community priorities, integrating engagement strategies and community input into planning processes and project outcomes

• Provide QA/QC review to support technical quality and consistency across project deliverables

• Coordinate engagement activities with multidisciplinary teams to ensure public input is effectively integrated into planning processes and project outcomes

Client Coordination & Public Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, agencies, and project teams

• Lead public workshops, stakeholder meetings, community outreach efforts, and public hearings

• Present planning recommendations and technical information to elected officials, commissions, clients, and community groups

• Develop and implement outreach and engagement strategies tailored to project goals, community context, and client needs

• Design and manage community engagement programs, including stakeholder identification, outreach planning, and a range of in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagement activities

• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, agency partners, and other interested parties to support inclusive and effective engagement

• Coordinate the development of accessible and culturally responsive engagement materials, including surveys, workshop materials, and digital engagement tools

• Analyze and synthesize community input, preparing clear summaries, recommendations, and engagement findings that inform planning and policy decisions

Team Collaboration & Business Development

• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge-sharing and professional development, including engagement methods, facilitation techniques, and public-facing communication skills

• Support staffing coordination and contribute to a collaborative team environment

• Assist with proposal preparation, interviews, cost estimating, and business development

• Support client relationship development and identify opportunities for additional services

• Represent Rincon at client meetings, industry events, and professional conferences

What You’ll Bring

• B.A./B.S. in Urban/Regional Planning, Communications, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus

• 6+ years of relevant experience in California, with increasing responsibility for technical work, project management, and client support

• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects, including scopes, schedules, budgets, and client coordination

• Established knowledge of California land use planning principles, housing policy, and local government planning processes

• Experience leading community engagement programs, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and outreach efforts, and stakeholder engagement strategies for planning and policy initiatives

• Experience developing engagement strategies, outreach plans, and stakeholder engagement approaches for planning or related projects

• Experience working with community-based organizations (CBOs), public agencies, and diverse stakeholder groups

• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams

• Ability to travel occasionally as project and client needs require

Nice To Have

• Experience with multilingual, accessible, or equity-centered community engagement approaches

• Experience preparing engagement summaries, reporting, or public input analyses that inform planning and policy recommendations

Investing In You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $90,000–$140,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.