Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urban Planning Assistant
💰 $45,000 - $70,000
Urban PlanningCity DevelopmentGISCommunity Development
🎯 Role Definition
The Urban Planning Assistant provides essential support to urban planners and city development teams by assisting in research, data analysis, project coordination, and community engagement. This role contributes to the creation of sustainable, efficient, and compliant urban development plans by supporting planning projects from concept to implementation. Urban Planning Assistants serve as a bridge between planning teams, government agencies, developers, and the community, ensuring that planning initiatives align with local regulations, environmental standards, and public needs.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Planning Intern
- GIS Technician
- Junior Research Assistant
Advancement To:
- Urban Planner
- Senior Urban Planning Associate
- City Planning Coordinator
Lateral Moves:
- Environmental Planner
- Community Development Officer
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Assist in the preparation of urban development plans, zoning maps, and land-use proposals for municipal approval.
- Conduct research and data collection on demographic trends, housing, transportation, and economic development to support planning decisions.
- Prepare and maintain Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and spatial data for analysis and presentations.
- Review and summarize planning policies, regulations, and local ordinances to support project compliance.
- Assist in evaluating development proposals, building permits, and infrastructure plans to ensure adherence to planning guidelines.
- Conduct site visits and surveys to collect data on land use, community amenities, and environmental factors.
- Support environmental impact assessments and sustainability evaluations for proposed urban projects.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and developers to gather technical information and integrate it into planning proposals.
- Prepare reports, technical summaries, and visual presentations for city councils, planning boards, and stakeholders.
- Assist in the organization and facilitation of public meetings, workshops, and community engagement sessions.
- Maintain records of project documents, plans, permits, and correspondence for regulatory and compliance purposes.
- Monitor ongoing planning projects for timelines, budgets, and compliance with local regulations.
- Support the creation of urban design guidelines and policy recommendations for sustainable development.
- Analyze traffic patterns, transportation networks, and infrastructure plans to inform planning decisions.
- Participate in feasibility studies, redevelopment projects, and brownfield site evaluations.
- Collect and analyze data related to land use, environmental impact, and urban growth trends.
- Assist in the preparation of grant proposals, funding applications, and reports for development initiatives.
- Update and manage GIS databases, maps, and spatial datasets for accurate planning analysis.
- Support the implementation of smart city initiatives and urban technology projects.
- Provide administrative assistance, including scheduling, correspondence, and meeting coordination for the planning team.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
- Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
- Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
- Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Urban planning and land-use management
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis
- Zoning regulations and building codes
- Environmental and sustainability assessment
- Data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting
- Drafting maps, charts, and technical visualizations
- Project documentation and record-keeping
- Transportation and infrastructure planning support
- Public engagement and consultation facilitation
- Grant writing and funding proposal support
Soft Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Organizational and time management skills
- Collaboration and teamwork across departments
- Adaptability in dynamic work environments
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship-building
- Creativity in urban design solutions
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Geography, or related field
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, or Public Policy
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Urban Planning
- Geography
- Environmental Science
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
0–3 years supporting urban planning, municipal development, or community planning projects
Preferred:
Internship or prior experience assisting with GIS mapping, urban research, or municipal planning initiatives