Jobs in urban planning (also referred to as city planning) is a diverse and exciting field that focuses on issues such as transportation planning, environmental planning, economic development, revitalization and zoning. The aforementioned areas of urban planning when coupled with the involvement and participation of citizens help build strong sustainable communities.

While many consider a degree in urban or city planning as a requirement for urban planning careers, degrees in geography, architecture, engineering, environmental studies and economics are also related disciplines that qualify you to obtain urban planning jobs. Basics to think about when considering a career in urban planning include:

1. Evaluating current and future urban planning job opportunities.

2. Obtaining a degree in a planning related field.

3. Interviewing urban planners to gain understanding and insight to the field of urban planning.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research current job opportunities in urban planning

Access urban planning employment opportunities that exist in the public and private sectors on online employment websites.

I recommend: The American Planning Association and Geography Jobs websites provide postings that include both senior and entry level urban planning jobs.

Earn a degree in a Planning related field to qualify you for jobs in urban planning

A degree in Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, Architecture or Engineering is some of the disciplines that open doors for urban planning careers.

I recommend: Contact your local institutions of higher learning through the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) to see if they offer degrees in Planning or a Planning related field such as geography or architecture. Learn about earning a Masters Degrees in Planning at GradSchools.com as another way to enhance your opportunities for urban planner employment.

Use planning professionals to gain insight on careers in urban planning

Talk to professional urban planners to gather more information regarding urban planner jobs. Basics of urban planning that you can discuss include career opportunities, current and past projects they have worked on, current news and trends in urban planning and any skills or knowledge that prove to be beneficial and an asset in obtaining city planning jobs.

I recommend: The University of Wisconsin presents a comprehensive overview of urban planning such as what do urban planners do, how much can they earn and the job outlook for Urban Planning. Read national and international planning news on Cyburbia.org.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an instrumental tool in the planning field for performing spatial data analysis. Become a more attractive candidate for urban planning jobs by having a background in GIS. Penn State University is one institution that offers a convenient online Geographic Information Systems certification program to help you achieve your goal.
• •  Expand your urban planning career opportunities by earning your American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification as this is a requirement for some senior and higher level planning positions.

You don't have to live in a big city in order to get city planning jobs. Almost all types of living areas, from the smallest town to the largest metropolis offer some time of city planning employment.

Those who have urban planning careers help to make a city run smoothly. This means taking aesthetics, safety, and more recently, environmental concerns into account whenever building takes place. Urban planning employment may happen behind the scenes, but everyone feels its effects.

If you want to be successful in getting urban planning jobs:

1. Schedule an informational interview to learn what jobs in urban planning are all about. This helps you to make sure that you are entering a field that is right for you.

2. Start small. Someone fresh out of college doesn't have the experience for large-scale city planning efforts. Don't be afraid to take entry level urban planning jobs when you are just starting out.

3. Hire a professional resume writer with experience in writing resumes to get urban planner jobs to write your resume. This will make you look more polished and you have a higher chance of getting the job.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for general urban planning jobs with niche websites

It can be difficult to find urban planner employment through the major job boards. Instead, try looking only at sites that are especially for urban planners. This way you can be sure that you are not applying for jobs that aren't really in your area of expertise.

I recommend: The American Planning Association lists many available jobs in its database. Jobs in Planning lists many jobs overseas in addition to the ones located in America. This could be a great way to live abroad.

Find job opportunities in urban planning for architects

Once you've gotten your degree and had a bit of training under your belt, you'll want to find jobs for architects. Many building architects and landscape architects design with respect to good urban development.

I recommend: The American Society of Landscape Architects offers a searchable database of jobs. E-Architect also allows you to search available positions.

Save the environment with urban planning jobs that focus on sustainability

These days, everyone is concerned about the state of the environment, including city planners. Fortunately, this means that city planners are designing cities in more sustainable ways to help minimize the environmental damage they can cause.

I recommend: EcoEmploy offers environmental jobs in a variety of areas. You can also find jobs with eco-conscious companies through the Environmental Career Center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join professional organizations to stay up-to-date on current issues in urban planning and to meet other professionals. The people you meet may let you know of an urban planning employment opportunity before it becomes available to the general public.

Jobs in urban planning are on the rise, thanks to an increasing dissatisfaction with suburban life, and the desire of many young professionals to live closer to where they work — which is often in the city. Because of the significant migration back to cities, city planning jobs are expected to outpace many other fields.

Urban planning jobs typically pay well, but generally require a masters degree. A bachelors degree in urban planning paired with a masters in a related field is usually recommended, as are courses in statistics and computer science. Urban planning jobs education and training resources include:

1. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs for urban planning careers
2. Continuing education courses for urban planners
3. Publications catering to urban planners
4. Seminars and conferences focusing on urban planning and design
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a degree program urban planning employment

A college degree is required for careers in urban planning -- usually both an undergraduate and a graduate degree, although some employers will accept an undergraduate degree and significant work experience instead.

I recommend: For recommendations on the best schools for urban planning, check out the Guide to Graduate and Undergraduate Education in Urban and Regional Planning or the Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs.

Increase your urban planning employment opportunities through continuing education

Even with an advanced degree, you'll still need to keep learning throughout your city planning employment. As urban areas grow, urban planners will need to stay on top of new trends and changing methods in the field.

I recommend: At the University of Washington, the College of Built Environments -- Urban Design and Planning offers both continuing professional education courses and educational outreach. Georgia Tech offers short-term continuing education courses.

Stay current on trends in urban planner employment through industry publications

By subscribing to industry magazines, and reading books in the field, you can find both in-depth information and the latest news.

I recommend: Planning magazine is published by the American Planning Association. Also, check out reviews of books on urban planning at Righto.com.

Get the latest news on the methods used in urban planning jobs through seminars and conferences

Through seminars and conferences, you not only learn from the presentations, but also from the interaction with other urban planners.

I recommend: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Planning "Smart Growth" seminars, and North Carolina State University holds an annual urban design conference.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After learning how to become an urban planner, make sure you understand the basics of urban planning recruitment. As with other industries, there are several websites focusing on job opportunities in urban planning. Whether you're still searching for entry level urban planning jobs, or you already have a position you like, keep an eye on these sites for information on salary trends and what geographic regions offer the most opportunities.

Upon hearing the term "urban planning", most people think of business and commercial zoning of a community. While this is part of the urban planning process, it is only a small portion of the many specialties within the industry. There are several areas in urban planning that you may not be aware of and that may interest you. The following key urban planning jobs can get you started on the right career path.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Urban planner

Urban planners (also known as regional planners) create short-term and long-term goals and plans for the growth and revitalization of a community. They make recommendations for the locations of new roads, schools, commercial zones and housing developments. They also make recommendations regarding what roads may need expanding to accommodate increasing traffic.

I recommend: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides in depth information about a career as an urban or regional planner.

Economic development regulatory manager

An economic development regulatory manager, also known as the director, supervises and administers the economic development team for a region. These managers assist in the development and implementation of programs designed to help the economic growth of a community through local government organizations.

I recommend: Visit the Missouri Office of Administration for details on its requirements for an economic development regulatory manager.

Code enforcement officer

Code enforcement officers enforce city codes and regulations. They hand out citations for ordinance violations, such as expired business licenses or non-compliance with zoning and waste disposal regulations. They also perform business license application inspections and verify building permits.

I recommend: Code enforcement officers are responsible for a number of other tasks. Refer to the job description on Employment 911 for more information.

Transportation services planning specialist

These individuals help plan city transportation services, such as the various forms of public transportation (bus, subway and the like), what routes and time schedules these services operate on, and how much it costs passengers to use them. A manager within this department helps to oversee various transportation programs and services to make sure they meet the intended standards.

I recommend: Read more about a transportation services planning manager's duties on the City of Chandler, AZ website.

Recreation specialist

Recreation specialists plan the recreational and sports activities within the city parks system. They plan, organize and carry out community events. They also regulate public access to parks and parks systems, such as determining the operating hours for public pools, or when parks open and close each day.

I recommend: The City of Columbia, MO provides details on the duties for a recreation specialist.

Architectural historian

Architectural historians work to preserve the history of a community. They must identify historical landmarks and buildings and perform research to ensure they serve an historical significance to the community. Once these historians determine that an location is a historic landmark, they work to protect it.

I recommend: The Idaho Division of Human Resources provides a clear explanation of what an architectural historian job entails.