Job Description of a Junior Planner
In civics, planning is the word used to describe the process of planning cities and other urban areas with the goal of making these cities more efficient, healthy and safe. Planners are professionals who are responsible for researching, designing and developing programs for urban areas such as renovation programs, transportation programs, economic development programs and disaster preparedness programs, according to the American Planning Association. Planners often fall under different levels, with the level 2 planner often being called a junior planner.
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Significance
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Planners provide technical analysis of urban programs in order to assess the feasibility and success of these programs. They manage and enforce new programs. They also come up with methods of educating communities about the new programs initiated in their urban areas, according to the American Planning Association.
Function
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Planners become certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Planners usually want to be members of the American Planning Association, since this association provides a variety of services to planners, such as updated research information. The junior planner applies all codes, ordinances and regulations to new programs. The junior planner must update and maintain the Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations. The junior planner evaluates many zoning issues and documents findings in formal and technical reports. Junior planners evaluate the success of current programs, and also attempt to locate community issues and document these issues for the development of further programs. After assessing plenty of data collected from the community, junior planners offer their recommendations in terms of planning further projects.
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Conditions
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There are often weekend and evening meetings that junior planners have to attend. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, urban planners must frequently travel to sites that are problem areas. Planners usually work 40 hours a week, though they might work more hours and be placed under more stress when deadlines are looming.
Skills and Education
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The educational background of a junior planner is usually in a field associated with the environment, economics or transportation planning. The junior planner must have knowledge of proper research documentation and techniques. The skills needed by junior planners include: planning principals and procedures, statistics and mathematics, computers and community redevelopment. Junior planners must have excellent written communication skills, since they will often write reports, ordinances and regulations. Creativity, oral communication skills and multitasking skills are also needed, according to the American Planning Association.
Outlook
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There were 38,400 planners employed in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between 2008 and 2018, the need for planners is expected to grow by 19 percent. This growth is driven by an expanding population that needs more services, and also by the state and local governments' commitment to rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. Growth will also be driven by increasing environmental concerns.
Earnings
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The median earnings for planners in 2008 were $59,810, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent earned more than $91,520, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,960. Those specializing in architecture and engineering earned the most, while those specializing in education earned the least.
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References
- Photo Credit aerial view of government buildings in ottawa image by Gary from Fotolia.com
