Urban and Regional Planner

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  Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Urban and Regional Planner

What they do

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Also Called: City Planner, Community Development Planner, Community Planner, Development Technician, Housing Development Specialist, Neighborhood Planner, Planner, Planning Consultant, Planning Technician, Regional Planner, City Planner, Community Development Planner, Community Planner, Development Technician, Housing Development Specialist, Neighborhood Planner, Planner, Planning Consultant, Planning Technician, Regional Planner

$51,470
Starting Salary (2023)
$81,800
Median Salary (2023)
3.7%
Projected Job Growth
42,690
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Enterprising
Business based Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Cooperation
Dependability
Analytical Thinking
Self-Control
Attention to Detail

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension

Expected Knowledge

Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Common Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

More Info

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