Senior Municipal Planner / NJ Licensed Professional Planner

Our client, a well-established multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, is seeking an experienced New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner (PP) to join its growing planning team.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) and related planning statutes and regulations. This individual will manage municipal and land-use planning projects, lead project-level planners and support staff, and work closely with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare master plans, master plan reexamination reports, redevelopment studies and plans, affordable housing plans, zoning ordinances, and development regulations.

Review development applications and prepare professional planning reports and recommendations for municipal planning and zoning boards.

Review, prepare, and update municipal ordinances and zoning regulations.

Serve as Project Manager for planning projects, overseeing staff, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and client expectations.

Prepare municipal planning review letters, reports, studies, and supporting documentation.

Conduct zoning, land-use, and urban-design evaluations in support of senior leadership and clients.

Serve in municipal appointments, including as a Planning Board, Zoning Board, or Municipal Planner.

Facilitate public meetings, community engagement sessions, and other public-participation events.

Lead the preparation of design guidelines addressing open space, building form, site planning, and project review.

Conduct field investigations and site visits to gather and analyze information affecting land use and development.

Participate in proposal development and other business-development initiatives.

Attend occasional evening municipal meetings and public-engagement events as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.

10+ years of professional planning experience.

Current New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner (PP) credential.

AICP certification.

Strong knowledge of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) and applicable state and municipal planning regulations.

Comprehensive municipal and land-use planning experience.

Strong understanding of urban design and community-planning principles.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite.

Familiarity with or experience using GIS.

Proven ability to manage projects, staff, budgets, schedules, and competing priorities.

Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and client-facing communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment while operating independently when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with community visioning, public outreach, and planning charrettes.

Graphic and layout-design experience for public-engagement exhibits, conceptual plans, massing plans, or urban-design materials.

Experience with innovative planning and zoning approaches, including form-based codes.

Knowledge of resiliency and sustainable-planning practices.

Previous experience serving municipal clients, planning boards, or zoning boards.

Compensation & Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary range of $100,000–$120,000, based on experience and qualifications, along with a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Medical and prescription coverage

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Short- and long-term disability coverage

Maternity leave

Paid time off and paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced NJ Professional Planner who enjoys municipal consulting, client interaction, project leadership, and the opportunity to work across a diverse range of land-use and community-planning initiatives.