Principal or Senior Planner - Community Engagement

Mercer Planning Associates (MPA), a boutique land-use planning firm based in Jersey City, seeks a community engagement enthusiast with substantial experience in equitable practices and working knowledge of safe streets/complete streets, transit planning, and other transportation initiatives.

MPA is open to hiring either a Principal or Senior level planner. Those seeking the Principal Planner role should be experienced in managing projects and people. Those seeking the Senior Planner role should have advanced skills with sufficient experience to be mentored into the Principal Planner role within 1-2 years. Job responsibilities and expectations are commensurate with the candidate's experience level.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple projects in a highly organized and efficient manner. Clearly communicate challenges, updates, and progress, adapting plans as needed.
• Design and implement creative, inclusive community engagement processes tailored to each project. Lead all aspects of engagement, including communication, logistics, facilitation, note-taking, analysis, and reporting.
• Develop clear and engaging communications. Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of communications materials, including designing print and digital collateral, online communications (emails and social media), website design, and other communications tools.
• Communicate results with engaging imagery and narrative. Collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to identify opportunities and challenges and use data-driven insights to inform decision-making. Prepare maps, graphics, and narratives that effectively convey critical data and help tell important stories about communities.
• Drive company growth. Identify new business opportunities, cultivate strategic partnerships, and actively contribute to business development efforts, including pitching and bidding.
• Advance quality assurance/quality control measures to ensure tasks are completed to a high standard that exceeds client expectations.
• Stay relevant and informed on legislation, policy initiatives, and best practices related to job duties, including community engagement, transportation, and planning.
• Contribute beyond defined responsibilities. Support organizational needs with flexibility, creativity, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• Organized and detail-oriented “doer” with the ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and deliver against deadlines, and inspire more junior team members to do the same.
• Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and manage strong relationships across a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, inspiring trust and confidence, and navigating a high level of nuance and complexity.
• Superior analytic, research, and writing skills with the ability to synthesize information into clear, compelling insights.
• Tech savvy with the ability to learn new programs quickly. Advanced proficiency with Adobe Suite (visual design skills highly desired); Microsoft Office (including advanced data analysis in Excel); Google Suite; Comfortable managing public meetings in ZOOM; Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and online ESRI products is a plus
• 6 years of experience in a position with similar duties.
• Degree in Planning, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Communications, or a related field (master’s degree preferred, but undergraduate degree considered for highly qualified candidates).
• AICP Certification for those in the planning field.
• Bilingual Spanish candidates are desired.

Employment Details

• Annual Salary: $85,000 – $120,000 commensurate with title and experience
• Full-time position (flexible hours within reason or with prior approval).
• The position is primarily remote but requires working from the Jersey City office at least once a week, but more often as necessary to collaborate on work products.
• The position requires periodic travel to client meetings and outreach activities in New Jersey (mostly Northern/Central). A valid driver’s license is required, and access to a personal vehicle is preferable.
• Continuing education and professional licensure/certification allowance.
• Robust paid time off (starting at 30 days/year).
• Retirement match after 1 year in service.
• Unfortunately, MPA does not have the capacity to sponsor work visas.

How to Apply

Applications will be considered complete only if they are submitted via our online application form (https://bit.ly/MPAapplication) and include the following:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Representative work samples demonstrating and documenting independent contributions to projects
• 1-3 professional references

The position will remain open until it is filled. We anticipate interviewing in early March 2025.

We will only contact those candidates moving to the next phase of the application process. Please, no email or private message inquiries.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.