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Entry-Level Urban Designer/Planner
PlaceWorks / Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Ana
Posted on: February 24, 2026
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Job Description
PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time Urban Designer/Planner to join our team in either Santa Ana, Downtown Los Angeles, or Berkeley. We are looking for an entry-level individual or someone with a few years of urban design or planning experience within urban or urbanizing settings for public-sector and/or private-sector clients. Relevant experience includes familiarity with site planning and urban design for areas such as, but not limited to, development along corridors, within downtowns, near transit, and other areas in transition. Experience with planning documents such as specific plans, general plans, and master plans are a plus.
Working in a collaborative and casual work environment under the guidance of principals, project managers and other senior staff, this designer/planner would work on a variety of design-related projects, providing support to both our Southern and Northern California offices and working with team members across the state. Our firm is deeply involved throughout California in the acceleration of housing development and the revitalization of our built-out communities.
The pay range for this position is $27.88 – $41.83 per hour, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors.
Job Requirements:
You may be a great fit if some of the following describe you:
- You love planning for the future of communities and making a difference with your work.
- You want to learn more about urban building/development types, including commercial, mixed-use, and residential in an infill setting.
- You are adept at collecting background documents, researching and summarizing information for existing conditions analysis.
- With guidance, you can write and/or illustrate design standards and guidelines; how-to-guides and/or toolkits for both residential and non-residential development; and design-based zoning standards for specific plans or focused municipal code revisions.
- You have some experience with opportunities/constraints mapping, site planning, and urban design framework plans.
- With guidance, you can support preparation of build-out scenarios to test and illustrate draft standards/codes.
- You’re able to travel to and perform site visits as a project requires and attend client meetings with the project team.
- Supporting authentic engagement with diverse communities excites you and you’re willing to jump in to help with/participate in public outreach efforts, including evening, weekend, and multi-day design charrettes. You may be asked to coordinate events or meetings, prepare and assemble materials/supplies for workshops.
- You’re interested in assisting with and actively participating in marketing, business development, and proposal efforts to support our design team.
- You can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment with team members across the state.
- You have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in architecture, urban design, planning or landscape architecture.
- You are proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp. Proficiency with AutoCAD, Rhino and/or ArcGIS is desired, but not required. Hand drawing is a plus.
- You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits and attend meetings when needed.
- You can be in the office at least two days a week.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
(see job description)
Application Instructions
Apply here: https://placeworks.com/our-culture/careers/
When applying, attach your cover letter, resume, and design portfolio as three (3) separate PDF attachments (may include written and design work for school projects). Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, you may include a link to your design portfolio if it exceeds 500KB. In your cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in.
