Job Description

Urban and Regional Planning Specialist

SR1 – Ridgeland, Mississippi, United States (On-site)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer / Executive Leadership

Location: Onsite – Based in Mississippi with statewide community travel

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

SR1 is seeking a dynamic Urban and Regional Planning Specialist to lead the planning, design, and implementation of physical infrastructure and transportation systems while driving community-based development initiatives. This role combines the strategic vision of an urban planner with hands-on oversight of facilities planning, school and community site development, and inclusive engagement practices.

The ideal candidate will coordinate master planning for SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) and SR1 C.O.O.L. Zone facilities, integrate transportation planning to ensure equitable access, and guide community growth strategies that align with SR1’s mission to advance education, preventive health, and economic mobility across underserved regions.

Key Responsibilities

Facilities & Infrastructure Planning

• Lead master planning, design development, and construction oversight for SR1 CPSA buildings, C.O.O.L. Zone sites, learning farms, and other community facilities.
• Serve as primary liaison to architects, engineers, contractors, and transportation providers from concept through completion.
• Ensure all infrastructure meets safety codes, accessibility requirements, and community program needs.
• Develop capital improvement plans, cost estimates, and feasibility studies for leadership review.

Transportation & Access Planning

• Assess, design, and improve school and community transportation routes to ensure safe, timely, and equitable access for students and residents.
• Coordinate with local transit authorities and private transportation providers to integrate bus, shuttle, and pedestrian access into SR1 facilities.
• Incorporate multimodal transportation solutions into site planning.

Community-Centered Engagement

• Organize planning workshops, community forums, and design charrettes to gather input from families, youth, elders, and partners.
• Collaborate with civic leaders to create shared-use spaces serving educational, cultural, and health needs.
• Incorporate demographic data and public feedback into all planning and design decisions.

Strategic Development & Funding

• Align infrastructure, transportation, and community planning with SR1’s long-term strategic vision.
• Conduct needs assessments, site analyses, and location studies for future SR1 expansions.
• Prepare proposals and business cases for federal/state grants, philanthropic funding, and public-private partnerships.

Project & Team Leadership

• Manage multiple concurrent capital and community planning projects.
• Supervise consultants, site managers, and interns/fellows in planning disciplines.
• Facilitate cross-departmental planning to ensure physical spaces support SR1’s academic, agricultural, and health programs.

Sustainable & Agricultural Integration

• Incorporate sustainable urban design, green infrastructure, and agricultural innovation into planning.
• Partner with SR1 Agriculture, Health, and Education teams to integrate learning gardens, wellness spaces, and food systems into site plans.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in urban/regional planning, facilities development, or community infrastructure projects.
• Proven success managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, GIS mapping, AutoCAD, and/or project management tools.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Community Development, or related discipline.
• Experience in rural and small-town planning or public school facilities development.
• Knowledge of equitable planning practices for underserved and culturally diverse communities.
• Familiarity with USDA, EDA, Promise Neighborhoods, DOT, or other state/federal funding processes.

Working Conditions & Travel

• Regular statewide travel, especially to SR1 sites in Forest, Morton, Lake, Canton, and rural regions.
• Field work at construction sites, transportation hubs, and community venues.
• Flexible schedule with occasional evenings/weekends for community events.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional development opportunities.
• The chance to shape transformational educational, transportation, and community spaces in Mississippi.

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