Entry Level Urban Planning Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

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About the Position
We are currently seeking an Urban Planner I to join our Infrastructure team and support a variety of transportation, community planning, and urban design projects from our Atlanta/Cobb office. This entry-level position provides an opportunity to contribute to comprehensive transportation plans, multimodal and transit studies, corridor and small area plans, comprehensive plans, active transportation initiatives, and other planning efforts that shape communities and improve mobility.
The Urban Planner I will support project teams through research, data analysis, technical writing, community engagement, development of planning recommendations, and preparation of reports and presentations. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and motivated early-career planner with strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills and an interest in transportation and community planning. GIS experience is desirable but not required.
Key Responsibilities
Transportation & Community Planning

• Support comprehensive transportation plans, transit and multimodal studies, active transportation plans, corridor studies, small area plans, comprehensive plans, zoning updates, and other transportation and community planning initiatives.
• Conduct research and analysis related to transportation, land use, demographics, socioeconomic conditions, housing, economic development, and community needs.
• Assist with evaluating transportation systems, mobility needs, bicycle and pedestrian conditions, transit access, safety, land use patterns, and development trends.
• Help develop planning recommendations, policies, strategies, project concepts, and implementation actions.
• Research planning policies, best practices, funding opportunities, and relevant local, regional, state, and federal programs.
• Assist with field assessments, site visits, data collection, and documentation of existing conditions.

Technical Analysis & Deliverables

• Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative information to support planning studies.
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, planning documents, presentations, graphics, and other project deliverables.
• Translate technical information and planning concepts into clear, accessible materials for clients, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
• Assist with developing project recommendations and documenting the technical basis for planning decisions.
• Use spreadsheets, presentation software, and other analytical and visualization tools to organize and communicate project findings.
• Use GIS, when appropriate and based on experience, to support mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support public meetings, workshops, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other engagement activities.
• Assist with preparing meeting materials, presentations, exhibits, surveys, and other engagement tools.
• Document and summarize community and stakeholder input and help incorporate findings into planning recommendations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, stakeholders, community members, and project team members.

Project & Team Support

• Assist project managers with project coordination, schedules, task tracking, meeting documentation, fieldwork, deliverables, and quality control.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that may include planners, transportation engineers, traffic engineers, urban designers, landscape architects, architects, economists, environmental professionals, and other technical specialists.
• Participate in internal and client project meetings and contribute to team discussions and problem-solving.
• Support proposal development, research, graphics, and other business development activities as needed.
• Manage assigned tasks and deadlines while contributing to multiple projects in a consulting environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning, or a related field.
• 0-2 years of relevant professional experience, including internships, graduate assistantships, or other applicable planning experience.
• Foundational knowledge of transportation planning, land use planning, community planning, or related disciplines.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organize and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information and communicate findings clearly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Interest in working with local governments, regional agencies, transportation agencies, and communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, academic, or professional experience related to transportation, transit, multimodal, active transportation, land use, or community planning.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, or other GIS tools for basic mapping, spatial analysis, or data visualization.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS Dashboards, or similar visualization and graphic communication tools.
• Experience with community engagement, including public meetings, surveys, stakeholder outreach, or related activities.
• Familiarity with transportation and community planning processes, funding programs, or planning regulations.
• Interest in pursuing AICP certification as professional experience requirements are met.

Core Competencies

• Transportation & Community Planning
• Research & Technical Analysis
• Technical Writing & Communication
• Data Analysis & Visualization
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Organization & Time Management
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Professional Growth & Initiative

Work Environment

• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a deadline-driven consulting environment.
• Willingness to travel periodically for fieldwork, client meetings, and public engagement.
• Occasional evening meetings associated with community engagement activities.
• Hybrid or in-office work environment based on organizational needs.

All Pond & Company positions require participation in at least one in-person interview as part of our hiring process, and most roles also require in-person onboarding at a Pond office location; candidates should expect to meet directly with our team and should be cautious of any communication suggesting otherwise.
About Pond
Pond is an award-winning, full-service architecture, engineering, planning, construction management, and environmental services firm providing professional solutions to clients throughout the U.S. and globally for nearly 60 years. Pond's staff of 800+ professionals provide a deep bench strength of experience and capabilities to offer customized solutions that help clients manage projects from concept to completion - and everything in between - with confidence and clarity. Pond is currently ranked as the 80th largest engineering and design firm by ENR, Atlanta's #1 engineering firm by Atlanta Business Chronicle, and has been recognized as an Employer of the Year by Georgia ACEC and a Best Place to Work for Working Parents.
Additional Information
Many factors are considered when determining compensation at Pond, including scope and level of position, geographic location, candidate skill, knowledge and experience. Starting base pay may vary depending on these factors. Please see the hiring range associated with this posting for more information.
Additional cash incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on position offered. Learn more about Pond's comprehensive benefits offerings here.
All offers of employment made by Pond & Company are contingent upon satisfactory background check results. Pre-employment background checks will be conducted on all candidates that are offered a position at Pond in compliance with program policy as well as state and federal regulations. Additionally, offers may be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Employment decisions at Pond are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state and local laws in jurisdictions where we operate. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hrdepartment@pondco.com.
Apply for this position at https://www.pondco.com/careers.We are always looking for driven professionals of all disciplines to join our fast-growing company. For more information on our services, clientele, or employment opportunities, visit our website at www.pondco.com.
Should you run into any issues in completing the application, please reach out to recruiters@pondco.com for assistance.