Junior Planner (Limited-Term) – Multiple Positions

Description

The current hourly salary range for this position is $28.35 to $38.28. Pending approval from the Regional Council at the General Assembly in May 2026, the hourly salary range for this position will be revised to $32.01 to $43.21 beginning July 1, 2026 as a result of findings from a recently completed salary study. The maximum starting rate for this position will be up to 10% above the minimum of the approved range.

This posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever occurs first.

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 asparta two-year cohort program that offers 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 four departments: Community and Economic Development, Modeling, Mobility Planning and Goods Movement, and Partnerships, Technology, and Innovation for the duration of the two-year program, expected to begin in July 2026.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

If you're selected to join our Junior Planner Program, your starting salary will depend on your highest completed degree:

Current Hourly Salary

Bachelor’s degree holders will start at $28.35 hourly

Master’s degree holders will start at $31.19 hourly

Proposed Hourly Salary (pending Regional Council approval; effective July 1, 2026:

Bachelor’s degree holders will start at $32.01 hourly

Master’s degree holders will start at $35.21 hourly

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.

WHO WE ARE

As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

As part of our Work@SCAGpolicy, employees are eligible for two work models:in-office and hybrid. Eligibility for these models will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties, as determined by management. All work models require employees to reside within the SCAG region. This position is expected to follow the hybrid model and be in the office 2 days per week.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.

VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.

SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold, and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
• Cultivate Belonging: Embrace differences, foster equity, champion inclusion, and empower all.

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 & Placemaking and Land Use & Economic Development. The Junior Planner in this department will support the coordination and implementation of SCAG’s community engagement programs. The Junior Planner may also contribute to initiatives like the Community Hubs Toolkit and Economic Empowerment programs, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement, and support for major events and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support coordination and implementation of community engagement programs such as the Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library, Community Streets Grants, and creative messaging campaigns, by facilitating partner collaboration and resource distribution among jurisdictions, agencies and community-based organizations.
• Assist with tracking deliverables and improving internal workflows.
• Liaise with internal departments to develop agreements for program partners and support program implementation.
• Support storytelling, communications and engagement efforts to amplify planning stories in creative and accessible ways.
• Assist with grant applications, reporting, and program evaluation.

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 Goods Movement initiatives, including the Last Mile Freight Program and other comprehensive planning efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support administration of freight programs such as the Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP) and INVEST CLEAN.

• Assist with stakeholder coordination, outreach, and program implementation activities.
• Conduct research and data analysis to support freight, aviation, and regional planning efforts.
• Contribute to development of reports, program documentation, and planning studies.
• Support major regional initiatives, including Connect SoCal and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other comprehensive planning efforts.

The Modeling Department provides essential modeling services to support SCAG’s key plans and projects. The department develops and maintains an Activity-based Model, a Heavy-duty Truck Model, and a Scenario Planning Model. The Junior Modeler in this department will support travel demand modeling tasks, data analysis, and the analysis of planning strategies and performance monitoring.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and application of transportation models, including regional travel demand mode land scenario planning model.
• Process data inputs including socio-economic, land use and network data.
• Use data processing tools and statistical programming, such as Python, R,SQL and SAS, etc., to process, visualize large and complex datasets.
• Assist in model runs, quality control and validation.
• Support model documentation, reporting, and data visualization.
• Support development of scripts and tools to improve SCAG’s modeling processes, improve workflows automation, and expand analytical capabilities.
• Collaborate with modelers and planners on modeling inputs, assumptions, and results.
• Explore new data sources, review and summarize new approaches in travel demand modeling.
• Assist in data collection and analysis for performance monitoring tasks and environmental assessment.

The Partnerships, Technology & Innovation Department is committed to advancing transformative technology and transportation initiatives in line with Connect SoCal, other policies, and SCAG’s Regional Council directives. It operates through two main business units: Regional Pilots and the Technology and Innovation, fostering partnerships for innovative pilot projects. The Junior Planners in this department will support the administration and implementation of innovative partnership programs and pilot projects in their respective business unit.

Key Responsibilities:

First opportunity: Regional Pilots

• Support implementation and closeout of major transportation partnership programs such as REAP 2.0 and the Quick Build program.
• Assist with implementation of Regional Pilot Initiative (RPI) mobility pilots such as open loop fare payments, micro mobility, big data, and mobility hubs.
• Assist with program administration including supporting oversight of public agency partnerships, tracking invoices, contracts, and program metrics.
• Coordinate with project managers, partners, and vendors on the development and implementation of pilot project milestones, schedule, and deliverables.
• Support evaluation, reporting, and storytelling of pilot program outcomes including lessons learned for scaling and accelerating future pilot projects.

Second opportunity: Technology and Innovation

• Support development of the Smart Cities Strategic Plan.
• Support the Smart Cities Call for Projects, including application development, outreach, selection of awards, and implementation of projects.
• Contribute to the Clean Cities Coalition initiatives and clean transportation programs, including research and reporting.
• Support Clean Cities coalition activities, stakeholder coordination, and program outreach.
• Contribute to planning efforts related to Connect SoCal and other regional initiatives.
• Provide administrative and analytical support across innovation-focused programs.

In this role you can expect to

• Gain hands-on experience supporting real-world planning programs and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively across departments and with external partners throughout the SCAG region.
• Develop skills in research, data analysis, and program implementation.
• Contribute to projects that shape regional transportation, land use, and sustainability outcomes.
• Build professional experience through mentorship, training, and exposure to multidisciplinary planning work.
• Participate in team meetings, cross-functional initiatives, and agency-wide efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to this role

To qualify, applicants must have graduated from an accredited college or university within the previous 24 months with a degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Health, Data Science, or other related field.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered. Due to the foundational nature of this cohort program, priority will be given to recent graduates seeking to gain entry-level work experience in regional planning.

We’ll be a great match if you also have:

• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including experience working with policy, data, or statistical analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
• Experience preparing, writing, and presenting reports or presentations.
• Knowledge of urban planning principles, including land use, zoning, demographics, and economic analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Interest in community engagement and participatory planning processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with GIS concepts, tools, or applications.

Supplemental Information

Please note, this posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever comes first. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.

Insurance Coverage
Employees may choose from nine HMO and two PPO health plans administered through CalPERS. SCAG contributes the following amounts towards the monthly health premium: $850 for employee only coverage; $1500 for employee plus one dependent; $1800 for employee plus family. Employees may waive SCAG-sponsored health plans by providing evidence of other health coverage each plan year. Upon meeting eligibility requirements, employee is eligible to receive opt out amount of $200 per month, paid as taxable earnings. Premiums for dental and vision are covered 100% by SCAG. Life insurance in the amount of $50,000 is provided by SCAG. Supplemental life insurance is available at a minimal cost to the employee. Short-term and long-term disability insurance plans are provided by SCAG.

Retirement
Employees become members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Effective January 1, 2013, for new members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the retirement formula is calculated at 2% @ 62 with a Three Year Average Formula. In accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the new member will have a mandatory contribution of 7% of reportable compensation. Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six-month break in service between employment with SCAG or in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula.

Empower deferred compensation plan is available and all non-management positions receive a 50% match, up to $1,500. Employees do not pay Social Security.

Holidays
Employees receive 15 designated holidays and 44 hours of Personal Floating Holidays (PFH) per fiscal year.

Vacation Accrual
Ten to twenty days per year depending on length of service with SCAG.

0-3 years: 80 hours
4-10 years: 120 hours
11-16 years: 140 hours
17+ years: 160 hours

Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Tax-exempt savings plans are offered to pay for eligible expenses associated with healthcare, dependent care, and parking.

Transit Reimbursement Program
SCAG reimburses up to $230 per month for commute to the office via public transit via bus, rail, or train. Employees must commute a minimum of 8 days per month in order to receive reimbursement for monthly passes.

Flexible Time/Modified Work Week/Telework
Employees may work a modified 9-80 work schedule, with every other Friday off. SCAG offers a flexible work schedule to allow employees some flexibility on daily work hours. SCAG has developed a hybrid workforce program called Work@SCAG to provide two work model options (office or hybrid) to choose from, based on their position, within the SCAG Region.

Technology Allowance
Employees in hybrid and remote work models will receive a one-time stipend of $300 to be used for remote office setup. In addition, all employees receive a $140 monthly technology allowance to cover phone usage for business use and to offset utilities costs while working remotely.

Other Benefits
Participants in the Junior Planner classification will receive membership to the American Planning Association (APA) and reimbursement for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification for participants who meet the AICP eligibility criteria

Probationary Period
Employees in a limited-term assignment serve no probationary period.

Closing Date/Time: 5/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Southern California Association of Governments

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