Planner (Urban & Environmental)

Mississippi State University, Gulf Coast Design Studio, Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is looking for an experienced urban and regional planner with a desire to work in a coastal environment in the areas of environmental planning, watershed planning, coastal resilience, housing, community development, and more. The idea candidate will have experience working with under-resourced communities on meaningful community-engaged projects. If you are good at working independently and as part of a team, enjoy an open studio environment, and are interested or experienced in the community-engaged planning and design process, this may be the place for you. 

Required Skills: 

• Ability to develop and manage planning projects including:  

- Creating project scopes, budgets, detailed workplans and tracking measures.

- Producing deliverables and reports as required by the project. 

- Coordinating with project partners and stakeholders.  

- Supervising the work of interns and volunteers. 

• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro. 

• Excellent data analysis and data visualization skills and ability to integrate data into decision-making. 

• Knowledge of planning research and technical analysis methods.

• Knowledge of community engagement process design principles and ability to plan and facilitate creative community engagement opportunities as part of plan development.

• Strong written and communication skills;

• Ability to work with design team to create outreach and education materials;

• An understanding and interest in coastal resilience and coastal environments.

Projects are usually based within the three Mississippi coastal counties, sometimes extending to a broader region or even nationally depending on the nature of the work and project partners. Applicants should have the ability to manage projects and partnerships across larger geographies through the use of technology.

Compensation 

• Full-time, MS State Staff Compensation Structure 15 

• Full benefits through Mississippi State University 

• Competitive salary based on experience 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Minimum of a masters degree in urban planning or related field (accredited program).

• 3 years of experience in planning field preferred. 

• Willingness to work with people with different viewpoints, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds; and a desire to learn and make real-world impacts.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

• Willingness to work on a flex-schedule; may occasionally include weekends / evenings.

• Ability to do physical work, lifting, pushing or pulling objects (10 lbs. or more).

• Valid driver’s license. 

The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is an off-campus research and professional service program of Mississippi State University located in Gulfport, Mississippi. Since its establishment following Hurricane Katrina the Design Studio has worked with many local and national partners to provide planning, landscape architecture and architecture services to communities and non-profit organizations along the Gulf Coast. The Design Studio’s work has evolved from rebuilding to long-term resiliency and is recognized as a national leader in interdisciplinary Public Interest practice.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast provides a unique environment for emerging and mid-level design professionals to grow in their career and gain leadership experience in the community engaged design process. We’re seeking an experienced Planner to lead projects alongside design professionals.

To APPLY or to LEARN MORE about current and upcoming projects please contact David Perkes dperkes@gccds.msstate.edu directly with PLANNER in subject line.

Gulf Coast Community Design Studio 521 34th Street, Gulfport MS www.GCCDS.org