Assistant Project Manager, Senior Planner

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

BKF is seeking an experienced Assistant Project Manager, Senior Planner to support the delivery of Community Planning projects and help grow our Community Planning services across California. Working closely with and under the supervision of a Project Manager, this role is ideal for a motivated planner ready to step into project management and practice leadership responsibilities. The position supports project delivery, client engagement, staff mentorship, and business development within one of BKF’s key California markets. This hybrid role allows time to be shared between one of BKF’s California offices and home and offers the opportunity to grow within BKF’s Planning practice.

Responsibilities

• Supporting company leadership and the Project Manager in achieving performance goals for the Community Planning team and growing market share in California
• Assisting with client relationship management and participating in business development activities, including proposal writing and pursuit coordination, to help build a growing pipeline and backlog
• Supporting project management on community planning assignments under the direction of a Project Manager, including general plans, community plans, specific plans, housing elements, and related policy documents, with increasing responsibility over time
• Developing experience and technical knowledge across a range of project types and clients, including municipal/local/regional government, land development, transportation, water, housing, and/or higher education
• Leading and facilitating community engagement efforts, including public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and presentations to elected and appointed bodies, and helping design engagement strategies that reflect the needs of diverse communities
• Assembling, maintaining, and mining geodatabases to support planning analysis, and implementing GIS tools and planning technologies to improve project workflows and deliverables
• Supporting the preparation and review of scopes of work, work plans, planning assessments, data analysis, timelines, budgets, and invoicing under the oversight of a Project Manager
• Serving as a technical resource to community members, stakeholders, and agency staff on land use policy, zoning, housing, and community plan implementation, with Project Manager oversight on client-facing matters
• Facilitating public involvement through meetings and presentations, bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss planning initiatives, assess obstacles, and build community consensus
• Coordinating the work of subconsultants and other professionals assigned to specific projects, under Project Manager direction
• Mentoring and supporting junior planning staff in technical skills, work product quality, and professional development
• Actively participating in professional associations and contributing to BKF’s visibility in the Community Planning market as part of a longer-term path toward practice leadership

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Geography, or a related field
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive experience in community planning, land use, or related planning disciplines
• Experience supporting planning projects in California involving municipal/local/regional government, land development, housing, transportation, or general plans
• Demonstrated interest in and readiness for project management responsibilities, with some prior experience supporting scope, schedule, or budget tracking
• Proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS Pro or similar), including geodatabase assembly, maintenance, and analysis; familiarity with community engagement platforms, data visualization tools, or other planning technologies is a plus
• Experience facilitating community engagement, including multilingual or multicultural outreach, is strongly preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
• An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups
• A high energy, passionate, forward-thinking, results-oriented, team player, and resourceful contributor
• Collaborative and highly skillful at building and maintaining effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Ability to effectively support project teams and communicate with clients under Project Manager guidance
• Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders
• Valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driver’s record are required

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $108,000.00-$149,000.00 annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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