Job description template

Urban Planner Job Description Template

A copy-ready urban planner job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows urban planners earn a median of $89,320 ($42.94/hour); the middle 50% earn $72,020–$110,030.

Job title

Urban Planner

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable urban planner to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will analyze land use and demographic data, write comprehensive plans and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze land use and demographic data
  • Write comprehensive plans
  • Draft and update zoning codes
  • Review development proposals
  • Lead public meetings
  • Coordinate with officials and agencies
  • Write grants and reports
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Master's degree
  • Working knowledge of land use planning and zoning
  • Communication and negotiation
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • AICP certification
  • GIS certification
  • LEED AP ND
  • Experience with arcGIS

Skills

  • GIS
  • Data analysis
  • Policy writing
  • Public engagement
  • Facilitation
  • Problem solving

Work environment and schedule

Planners work in government and consulting offices, with site visits and public meetings. Most work full-time, with evening public meetings.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a urban planner job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Urban Planner” is the clearest; alternates include City Planner, Regional Planner, Transportation Planner.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of an urban planner so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Urban Planner training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Urban Planner hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing