planning associate

Job Title: Planning Associate
Organization: Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)
Location: Los Angeles, CA, on site 4 days/wk
Start Date: Immediately
Closing Date: Monday, January 27th

Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a team of diverse urbanists—landscape architects, urban planners, community organizers, and engineers—united by our shared commitment to building equity, justice, and resilience in communities through design. A BIPOC- and woman-led firm that was founded in 2006, KDI comprises 50 professionals working from four offices: Los Angeles, Eastern Coachella Valley, Nairobi, and Stockholm.

Job Description: KDI is seeking a Planning Associate to join our growing team of 20+ staff in Los Angeles, CA. This is a great opportunity for a creative, highly motivated early career professional to work directly with people in under-served communities to advance equity and support community-driven development. The position is based in our Los Angeles office, and will involve travel to our projects in the Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV), other areas of California, and other cities across the U.S. The Planning Associate will work closely with the Planning, Design, and Community teams, local low-income communities of color, government officials, and other stakeholders to support a wide range of projects and topics, such as: 

• Equity-focused site development and neighborhood master planning in L.A. and in cities across the country 
• Participatory design and temporary activation of public spaces, from vacant lots to large parks     
• Economic and social development programs
• Gender equity in planning and design
• Leadership development / capacity building for residents in under-resourced communities on improving the built environment
• Research and project development on topics such as green schoolyards and climate change adaptation in low-income communities of color

Roles and Responsibilities

Project Planning and Execution

• Complex project management: lead the development and execution of project plans from concept through completion, ensure alignment with KDI's mission and strategic goals, and manage project teams, both internal and external.
• Deliver projects on time and on budget.Identify and manage project risks and develop mitigation strategies to address potential issues.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Act as the primary liaison between clients, community members, and project teams to ensure clear communication and alignment on project goals and expectations.
• Design and facilitate engagement plans, community meetings, workshops, and presentations with stakeholders, ensuring inclusive participation and feedback.Maintain positive relationships with partners, funders, and other stakeholders, fostering a collaborative and transparent environment.

Resource and Budget Management

• Appropriately manage large, complex projects, budgets, ensuring efficient allocation and tracking of resources and expenses.
• Collaborate with the finance team to prepare budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Seek cost-effective solutions and negotiate with vendors and contractors to optimize project resources.

Project Documentation and Reporting

• Oversee project documentation, including project contracts, and reports, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Prepare project reports and presentations for funders, partners, and internal leadership.
• Track and document project outcomes, lessons learned, and best practices to inform future projects and organizational learning.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor project team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that promotes growth and skill development.
• Set clear goals and expectations for project team members, and provide regular feedback.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure that projects meet quality standards and adhere to KDI’s values of social and environmental sustainability.
• Implement quality control measures to track project progress, ensuring all deliverables meet or exceed expectations.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve project processes and methodologies, implementing best practices and innovative approaches.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging practices in design and community development to inform project strategy and execution.
• Support KDI’s commitment to social impact by aligning project work with larger community needs and development goals.

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related field 
• 3 years minimum experience in complex project management of planning projects with CBOs and/or Government agencies, with demonstrated success
• 3 years delivering dignity-infused, community-engaged planning processes 
• Experience meeting deadlines, juggling multiple tasks, and taking initiative to solve problems
• Strong, demonstrated commitment to social justice 
• Excellent professional ethics, leadership skills, accountability, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication and analytic skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Proficient in MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Arc GIS, and Google Workspace Apps required.
• Proficient in diagramming and visualizing complex ideas 
• Driver’s license and reliable mode of transportation
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred

Location + Schedule
This is a salaried, full-time, in-person position (with flexible schedule options – 9/80 or traditional schedule). 
Salary: $90-105KBenefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k with matching, Paid Time Off

How to Apply
Send electronic copy of cover letter, resume, portfolio, and three (3) references to lajobs@kounkuey.org with Subject heading: Planning Associate: Your Name

We are a woman-led, bipoc-led practice committed to recruiting and retaining a team that reflects the communities we partner with. We prioritize inclusion, transparency, collaboration, courage and rigor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or medical condition (including AIDS, and cancer-related medical condition). We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.