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Senior planners manage complex planning activities in areas such as community development, transportation, and land management. They require advanced communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects within tight budgets. A master’s degree in planning or a related field and at least four years of planning experience are typically required, along with certification from national planning associations. Certification requirements vary based on education and experience.
Senior planners are considered to be advanced professionals who perform complex planning activities. They can work in a variety of settings, some of which include community development, risk mitigation, transportation, development and land management. Senior planners often report to community officials or oversight boards and are responsible for managing complex studies, proposals from consultants and other professionals.
The typical senior planner regularly writes and presents reports and projects to senior leaders, which requires advanced verbal and written communication skills. Advanced interpersonal skills are also vital. These professionals must successfully facilitate working relationships between various groups and individuals who often have competing priorities and agendas. A successful senior planner will also be an excellent organizer, able to juggle multiple aspects of a project simultaneously. The ability to meet important deadlines and manage projects within tight budgets is also important in this career.
Senior planners are involved in long-term development projects that often affect the growth of cities and towns. It is common for them to review applications from residential, commercial and industrial developments to ensure compliance with applicable policies and ordinances. Senior planners also create new long-range planning documents in addition to updating existing ones. Understanding relevant building codes is essential as senior planners often need to assess and review architectural documents before construction can begin.
Most organizations require candidates for senior planner positions to have a master’s degree in planning or a related field, such as public administration or law, and at least four years of planning experience. Some organizations consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree and six years of planning experience. In addition to a combination of education and experience, certification from national planning associations such as the AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) in the United States is highly desired by most industries.
While each nation has its own certification process, some similarities can be found with the AICP process in the United States. To apply for AICP certification, professional planners must possess a minimum number of years of planning experience in addition to their education. Professionals with a master’s degree in planning from a PAB (Planning Accreditation Council) accredited college or university are eligible to apply for AICP certification with as little as two years of experience. A senior planner with a bachelor’s degree in planning from a PAB-accredited program or a master’s degree in planning from a non-accredited program can apply for certification after gaining three years of experience. Individuals with any other undergraduate degree are eligible with four years of experience, while professionals without any degrees must accumulate a minimum of eight years of experience before applying.
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