Staff Planner

Staff Planner

Location: Washington, DC Firm: Torti Gallas + Partners Salary: $68,000- $70,000

Position Overview

The Staff Planner supports planning, urban design, and architectural project teams in evaluating sites, researching regulations, preparing planning documents, and coordinating project approvals. This role contributes to feasibility studies, site and master plans, space programming, zoning and code research, community-engagement materials, and public-entitlement submissions.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytically strong, comfortable working with maps and design documents, and able to communicate planning concepts clearly to clients, consultants, public agencies, and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct site, demographic, market, transportation, and land-use research to inform project recommendations.
• Review zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, subdivision rules, building codes, design guidelines, and other applicable regulations.
• Assist with due diligence and feasibility analyses, including site constraints, allowable density, parking, setbacks, height, access, and entitlement requirements.
• Support the development of master plans, campus plans, urban design studies, site plans, programming documents, and planning reports.
• Prepare graphics, exhibits, presentations, narratives, and meeting materials for clients, public agencies, and community meetings.
• Coordinate planning-related information with architects, engineers, landscape architects, traffic consultants, surveyors, and other project partners.
• Assist in preparing permit, rezoning, special-exception, site-plan, variance, and other land-use entitlement applications.
• Track submission requirements, agency comments, project schedules, action items, and approval milestones.
• Attend client meetings, jurisdictional meetings, public hearings, and site visits as needed; prepare meeting notes and follow-up documentation.
• Analyze feedback from clients, agencies, and community stakeholders and incorporate approved changes into planning materials.
• Maintain organized project files, research records, regulatory documentation, and planning deliverables.
• Support project managers with scope, schedule, budget, and quality-control activities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated strength in master planning, project planning, urban design, and placemaking.
• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, public policy, real estate development, or a closely related field; master's degree preferred.
• 1–4 years of relevant experience in planning, architecture, land development, municipal planning, real estate, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of land-use planning, zoning, development review, site planning, and basic building/permit processes.
• Familiarity with local government approval and entitlement processes is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, or similar design/mapping tools is preferred.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise reports, planning narratives, and public-facing presentation materials.
• Ability to read and interpret site plans, architectural drawings, survey information, and regulatory documents.
• Strong organization, judgment, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Work Environment

• This is a full-time, in-office position with opportunities to participate in multi-day, collaborative design charrettes.

Compensation and Professional Growth

• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• Collaborative, design-focused studio environment.
• Mentorship and career development opportunities.
• Exposure to diverse project types and phases.
• Opportunities for cross-office collaboration within a nationally respected design practice.

At Torti Gallas + Partners, the work centers on designing places that strengthen communities and elevate everyday life while combining design excellence with technical precision and service.

Torti Gallas + Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The firm celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants.