Position Description: Associate Planner
Vandewalle & Associates | Madison, Wisconsin
An exceptional, full-spectrum opportunity for the right planner. Our mission-driven urban planning, design, and economic development firm is seeking an Associate Planner with 3-10 years of professional community planning experience to lead a variety of community planning, redevelopment, economic development, and related projects.
Is helping communities craft positive futures your passion? Vandewalle & Associates is one of the largest independent planning firms in the Midwest, with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We focus primarily on clients, places, communities and place-based assets throughout the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest.
Work with Midwest’s most respected planners and economic development experts. Over the past 40 years, Vandewalle & Associates has assembled a team of experts in the art of shaping dynamic places and communities. As we are passionate about helping our client communities meet the challenges of the future, the right candidate will share this enthusiasm and embrace the tremendous opportunity to both learn from and contribute to this exceptional team.
Inclusion, integrity, and impact. Vandewalle & Associates supports diversity and inclusion and strives for social and economic justice. Our team of experts is nationally recognized for the integrity and impact of our work with communities, neighborhoods, institutions, organizations, and companies to foster positive change.
More information on the company can be found at www.vandewalle.com.
PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES:
As an Associate Planner you will manage both straightforward and complex projects, working closely with supportive planning, design, and communications teams.
You will prepare community comprehensive plans and outdoor recreation plans, lead public participation efforts such as surveys and workshops, draft zoning and subdivision regulations, lead or assist with tax incremental financing district plans, review site plans and development proposals, prepare client zoning reports, complete special studies, and provide on-call planning services for nearby communities.
The range of projects includes downtown, neighborhood, and waterfront revitalization; planning and economic development within underserved communities; adaptive reuse of industrial buildings and brownfields; and plans for park and trail systems, transportation, and school districts.
NIGHT MEETINGS AND TRAVEL:
This Associate Planner position is based out of the Madison Office. After an initial in-office onboarding period, staff members in this location enjoy a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to work from home or other remote locations, along with some “in-office worksession” days. (A full range of hybrid meeting technology makes this flexibility work for both staff and clients as needed.) Regular travel to client communities is required, with participation in some night meetings. Clients requiring travel typically include Wisconsin cities, villages, towns, and counties within a 1- to 2-hour driving range.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in planning or related field with a minimum of 3 years of professional planning experience or bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of professional planning experience
- Project management experience including primary client interaction
- Highly organized, flexible individual who can think on their feet
- Ability to work with our team of planners and designers or independently
- Driven, self-motivated, and interested in staying current with and advancing planning best practices in small- to mid-sized communities
- Excellent research and organizational skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to adapt communication/writing styles to different audiences
- Public speaking experience
- Interest in inclusive public engagement
- Experience in comprehensive planning and zoning ordinances
- Experience with quantitative-oriented tasks including data analysis, development projections, TIF calculations, financial analysis and willingness to grow this skillset
- Ability to direct tasks to assistant planners
- Ability to manage project budgets and lead project-based tasks daily
- Outgoing, client-focused, and creative personality
- AICP certification preferred but not required
BENEFITS:
This position is full-time with a competitive salary and benefit package. Specifics include:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Two weeks paid vacation the first employment year
- Four sick days plus two personal days per employment year
- Seven paid holidays
- Retirement savings available through the company sponsored 401(k).
- Cafeteria Plan/Flexible Spending Account
- Paid APA membership
- Hybrid work environment
- Flex time
HOW TO APPLY:
For strongest consideration, resumes and cover letters should be emailed by Monday, April 28, 2025 toNonna Anderson, Business Manager: nanderson@vandewalle.com.
Vandewalle & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.