Planning Technician

Chart your career path with Ayres! 

Unlock your potential at Ayres, a leading multidisciplinary firm dedicated to transformative planning solutions. We’re passionate about shaping thriving communities through innovative and practical solutions. With local offices in Fort Collins, CO and Cheyenne, WY, our team works on a diverse range of projects locally and nationwide. We’re seeking a motivated and detail-oriented planner-in-training to support our growing workload and contribute to meaningful projects that make a lasting impact. 

Your impact and role: 

In this role, you’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support community planning efforts through research, analysis, and engagement. Whether assisting with land use studies, zoning reviews, or community outreach, your work will help inform strategies that guide community development and revitalization efforts. Success in this position is defined by your ability to analyze complex information, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to well-informed planning solutions. We need someone who has a vigorous passion for community planning, public engagement, and can listen effectively to help identify and implement solutions for our broad range of planning services. 

On any given day, you will: 

• Take an active role in a variety of planning projects, providing research and technical support. 

• Conduct analysis on planning and community development topics to help inform decision-making. 

• Assist in developing studies, reports, and project deliverables by applying planning principles under the guidance of senior staff.   

• Engage professionally with community members, stakeholders, local staff, and officials. 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff across our firm including community planners, economic development specialists, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and engineers. 
• Participate in industry organizations such as APA, Main Street, ULI, CNU, for professional development. 

Required Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in Community/Urban Planning or a closely related field. 

• Knowledge of planning principles, including land use, zoning, comprehensive planning, and community outreach. 

• Familiarity with local government operations, policies, and development review processes. 

• Proficiency with local ordinances and state land use regulations. 

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and a willingness to learn new software to support day-to-day activities. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences. 

• Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, packaging findings effectively to meet project needs. 

• Self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. 
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

Desired qualifications: 

• 2 years of higher education in Community/Urban Planning or a closely related field. 

• Fluency in writing and speaking Spanish is a plus. 

• Experience with a variety of professional planning skills including funding research, grant writing, brownfield revitalization, zoning/development code interpretation, long-range planning, and redevelopment efforts. 

• Ability to visualize and critique designs while developing creative solutions. 

• Skills in graphic design, mapping, or visual communication to support planning projects. 

• Experience assisting with presentations and community meetings. 

• Engagement in industry best practices and emerging planning trends. 
• A self-starter who is confident in their abilities and proactive in contributing to project success. 

What we offer at Ayres: 

• A flexible, work-life balanced environment with opportunities for career growth. 

• A supportive culture that values innovation, professional development and mentorship, and meaningful community impact. 

• Health, dental, and vision Insurance.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
• PTO upon hire, paid holidays including two floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.

Please note, benefits vary depending on job status.  To learn more about our great benefits, visit our website at https://www.ayresassociates.com/careers/the-ayres-advantage/

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, People with Disabilities