The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is hiring five entry-level Junior Planners to join our Planning Division. These limited-term roles are structured as a two-year cohort program and offer a unique opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to a variety of planning disciplines across the region, while supporting initiatives that shape a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Southern California.
As part of SCAG’s Junior Planner Program, these positions are designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in urban and regional planning. Through practical training, professional development, and collaborative work, Junior Planners will build the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities and launch successful planning careers.
The Junior Planners will be placed in one of five departments: Modeling & Forecasting, Community and Economic Development, Mobility Planning & Goods Movement, Sustainable and Resilient Development, and Planning Strategy for the duration of the two-year program. Given the program’s emphasis on early career development, preference will be given to recent graduates seeking to gain entry-level experience in regional planning.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
If you're selected to join our Junior Planner Program, your starting salary will depend on your highest completed degree:
- Bachelor’s degree holders will start at $58,974.29 annually
- Master’s degree holders will start at $64,871.72 annually
This is a full-time salaried position, and SCAG offers a comprehensive benefits package alongside opportunities for professional development, training, and mentorship. Participants in the Junior Planner Program will also receive membership to the American Planning Association (APA) and SCAG will cover the cost of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification for participants who meet the AICP eligibility criteria.
The Modeling & Forecasting Department consists of three business units: Modeling, Growth Forecasting, and Data & Visualization (GIS). This department collaborates with local jurisdictions to develop socioeconomic growth forecasts for planning activities and provides modeling services to support SCAG’s plans, programs, and projects. It is also responsible for geospatial data development, analysis, and visualization functions that support SCAG’s innovative planning and data-driven decision-making processes. The Junior Planner in this department will support the development and maintenance of SCAG's regional geospatial models and tools, assist with managing land use datasets, automate GIS workflows, and provide geospatial analysis for the 2028 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and other key projects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with developing and maintaining SCAG’s regional geospatial datasets and tools, including parcel-level land use data.
- Support GIS modeling, programming, and web application development using ArcGIS and other platforms.
- Contribute GIS analysis and visualization for the Connect SoCal 2028 plan and the Regional Data Platform (RDP).
- Respond to data requests with geospatial and statistical analysis from internal teams, stakeholders, and the public.
- Assist with researching planning policies, AI/big data applications, and best practices in geospatial planning.
- Attend and participate in GIS-focused working groups and meetings.
The Community and Economic Development Department focuses on advancing and implementing key strategies in support of Connect SoCal, the region’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. The department consists of two business units: Capacity-building and Placemaking, and Land Use and Economic Development. The Junior Planner in this department will focus on empowering communities through initiatives like the Community Hubs Toolkit and Economic Empowerment programs, with an emphasis on outreach, stakeholder engagement, and support for major events and youth initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the creation and implementation of the Community Hubs Toolkit to activate public spaces.
- Contribute to economic empowerment initiatives aligned with regional major events such as LA28 and FIFA.
- Assist in planning, documenting, and analyzing community and stakeholder interviews and activation summaries.
- Engage in the development of a Young Leaders Initiative curriculum.
- Support general administrative and planning tasks as needed for the department.
The Mobility Planning & Goods Movement Department focuses on improving mobility, optimizing the goods movement network, and expanding transportation choices. The department achieves its goals through demand management, multimodal system integration, and initiatives aimed at enhancing economic efficiency, safety, and air quality. It is divided into two business units: Goods Movement & Aviation and Multimodal Integration. The Junior Planner in this department will support SCAG's efforts related to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the development of transportation demand management strategies. The role includes research, analysis, and coordination across stakeholders and internal teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with conducting research, data collection, and analysis for multimodal transportation projects, including event and freight planning.
- Provide technical and administrative support for Games-related projects like the TDM Initiation Plan and Freight TDM Plan.
- Assist in coordinating meetings, documenting follow-up actions, and supporting project management activities.
- Serve as a liaison for internal and external stakeholder coordination across various transportation initiatives.
- Support committee meetings, workshops, and task forces through agenda development and staff presentations.
The Sustainable and Resilient Development Department focuses on advancing and implementing strategies and tools in support of Connect SoCal, the region’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The Junior Planner will assist with implementing Connect SoCal 2024 strategies related to climate resilience, natural lands preservation, and sustainable development. This includes research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement.