Urban Planner

As an Urban Planner at Dekker, you’ll collaborate closely with our Planning Studio and partner with colleagues across Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture. Your work will span the full planning process, from early visioning to implementation, and will include community engagement, comprehensive and campus long-range planning, development of site plans, policy analysis, zoning and entitlement support, and managing smaller planning projects. You’ll also provide ongoing support to the planning team as projects evolve.

Collaboration is central to how we work. Planners at Dekker partner across studios and across offices in Albuquerque, Phoenix, and El Paso, learning from one another and contributing to integrated, multidisciplinary solutions.

The Dekker Planning Studio has been part of some of New Mexico’s most impactful and transformative projects, including the Rail Trail, Albuquerque Uptown, the Rail Runner, Netflix Studios, Mesa del Sol ART, the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), and many other meaningful efforts across New Mexico and the Southwest.

We’re looking for planners who are curious, self-driven, and passionate about shaping better places. At Dekker, you’ll play an active role in creating inspired experiences for communities, clients, and collaborators—supported by a firm that has been a trusted presence in the design industry for more than 60 years.

Responsibilities 

Evaluate planning concepts and deliverables to ensure they are feasible, and well-grounded in best practices.

Creatively engage with stakeholders across the public and private sector on small and large projects.

Lead and support specialized planning efforts, including large-scale development proposals, long-range planning initiatives, and technical studies.

Play an active role in Dekker’s continued growth and evolution as a planning and design practice, helping shape how we work and what we create next.

Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including landscape architects, architects, interior designers, and visualization specialists, on a diverse range of projects.

Build expertise in key planning tools and metrics across project types, from master planning and code analysis to zoning, entitlements, and implementation strategies.

Participate in projects across Dekker’s offices and practice areas, contributing to work ranging from housing and education to civic spaces and corporate campuses.

Qualifications

This is a hybrid position, with three days per week in the office. Candidates must live in the Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; or El Paso, TX metropolitan areas.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Planning or a related field from an accredited university.

2–5 years of professional experience in an urban planning or related office environment.

Candidates with less experience may be considered based on the strength of their portfolio and relevant work experience.

AICP certification preferred, but not required.

A solid understanding of planning history, the professional and regulatory frameworks planners work within, and current planning discourse and best practices.

Strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey ideas to a range of audiences.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and planning-related tools such as GIS, SketchUp, or similar software.

Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills to support data-informed planning and decision-making.

Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex planning concepts into clear, actionable insights.

Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and consultation skills, with a team-oriented mindset.

Ability to translate client goals and ideas into visual and tangible materials, such as drawings, diagrams, or models.

Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills are a plus, particularly for community engagement and public-facing work.

A positive, collaborative attitude and enthusiasm for contributing to a supportive, creative workplaces

Note:  Please include a pdf of or a link to your portfolio in order to be considered.

Dekker offers competitive benefits and salary packages based on education and experience. For a full list of our benefit options, please visit our careers page. 

As a government subcontractor we're required by the OFCCP to provide applicants with the ability to voluntarily Self Identify as an individual with a disability.  If you'd like to do this you can find the form here: 503Self-IDForm Simply include this form with your application. 

Dekker is a family of designers, planners, architects, and engineers, intent on creating passion for the built environment through our work. We believe that architecture and urban design can be transformational and that it must serve more than just a functional role. It should inspire, protect, delight, and empower users and entire communities. We believe the most innovative designs are created through a multi-faceted perspective of places, people, and their processes. Collaboration, empathy, and understanding, combined with passion and expertise can shape our experiences and our environments. We strive to tune our ability to see things through the eyes, hearts, and minds of our clients. If you think your vision, passion, and experience would enhance ours, we’d love to meet you. 

EEO: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.