Mid- to Senior-level Interpretive Planner/Designer

Job Description:

PlaceWorks has an immediate need for a mid-to senior-level interpretive planner/designer to join our team. We are looking for an individual with 6 – 8 years of professional experience in project management, interpretive planning and exhibit design who is creative, outgoing, self-starting, and passionate about helping shape and improve communities through their work. In addition, this planner/designer must have a strong interest in parks and open space, and engaging underserved communities in the development in the interpretation of California’s natural and cultural history. 

Working in a collaborative and casual work environment under the guidance of skilled senior staff, this team member will help lead PlaceWorks’ Landscape and Park Planning teams currently working with local and State agencies, and particularly, California State Parks, as well as with community organizations and non-profit partners, to manage projects involving interpretive planning and design. We have a current need for this planner/designer to assist with the following:

• Help lead projects coordinating interpretive planning, design and fabrication for interpretive media, including but not limited to interpretive media related to California Native American heritage and culture.
• Help lead projects requiring research, evaluation of interpretive materials, and development of interpretive guidelines and standards.
• Support several projects with California State Parks that will engage California communities, including communities of color, tribes, underserved communities, and others regarding park and open space access.  Current projects include an emphasis in increasing and improving arts, culture and interpretation in parks, and more accurately and comprehensively addressing African American and tribal history and culture in park programs and exhibits.
• Assist with the planning, design and development of interpretive master plans for parks and public spaces, as well as the public outreach and engagement related to these projects.

This position is ideally based in our Berkeley office or Sacramento office. However, remote work may be considered for qualified candidates who reside more than one hour from either office location. Remote employees must be located within California to support team collaboration. We are open to this position being part-time or full-time, depending on the range of skills a candidate possesses.

You’re most likely a fit if:

• You love planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work.
• You have strong writing and communication skills.
• You are creative, self-starting, outgoing, collaborative, a good listener, and passionate about your work.
• You can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment with team members across the state.
• You have a diverse portfolio of completed projects, including exhibits and/or interpretive panels and interpretive planning documents (such as Interpretation Master Plans).
• You have strong writing skills as well as verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and solid client communication abilities.
• You’re comfortable with public speaking and presenting—you’ll be expected to represent PlaceWorks at community meetings and interviews.
• You’re able to attend and travel to client meetings and community workshops which may occasionally occur on weekday nights and weekends.
• You have experience managing complex projects, including schedules, budgets, client coordination, subconsultant coordination, and staff delegation.
• You have strong leadership and management abilities to grow, mentor, and lead staff members. You can cultivate a culture in which all staff feel respect, trust, and safety, and are empowered to be their authentic selves.
• You have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Suite, and PowerPoint).
• You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed.

In addition to the above, you’ll stand out even more if:

• You are a NAI certified interpretive Planner.
• You have experience working in parks and open spaces, such as National Parks, State Parks, and/or regional parks and/or preserves.
• You have experience working with California Native American tribes.
• You have a strong interest in California natural and cultural history.
• You have experience in park and open space planning and/or design.
• You have confident and fluid freehand drawing and graphic skills.
• You are a registered California landscape architect, or have NAI certification.

We work in a wide array of communities throughout California, and we encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds to apply.

The pay range for this position is $85,000 – $140,000 per year, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors.

Application Instructions:

When applying, attach your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample or design portfolio as three (3) separate PDF attachments. Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, include a link to your writing sample/design portfolio if it exceeds 500KB. In your cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in.

Job Requirements: (see above job description)

About PlaceWorks:

Based in California, PlaceWorks is a 100% employee-owned planning, design, and environmental consulting firm. The firm’s expertise and services span a wide range of practices, including city planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental review, GIS, and community participation. Our interdisciplinary, holistic approach integrates sustainability, economic vitality, community goals, and collaboration with our clients in the planning and design process. With a 50-year history of providing award-winning projects, we are passionate about our work and together with our clients, will continue to create great places. Learn more about the work we do and how we do it at: https://placeworks.com/.

PlaceWorks’ mission is to envision and create great places, and that includes our own workplace. You can view the perks and benefits we offer our employees at: https://placeworks.com/our-culture/.

PlaceWorks is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at PlaceWorks are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status covered by applicable federal, state, or local law.