Planning NEXT is a leading community visioning and planning firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Our tight-knit and fast-paced office is seeking a supportive and energetic team member to join our national practice. Our work is grounded in the belief that strong technical planning must be integrated with robust community engagement that brings people together to develop a shared vision for the future.

We are looking for someone passionate about using GIS skills to make better places and positively impact people and communities.

The GIS Planner will be responsible for analyzing, managing, and visualizing geographic data across multiple projects. This role will assist project managers with planning projects, including the following:  

• Spatial Data Analysis: Analyze spatial data from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and relationships that can inform decision-making processes for communities.  

• Spatial Data Management: Gather, organize, maintain, create, and update spatial datasets from various clients using ArcGIS.  

• Mapping and Visualization: Produce high-quality maps, charts, and visualizations to communicate spatial information effectively to stakeholders, including city officials, departments, and the public. Prepare maps and graphics that help to effectively convey key data and help tell important stories about communities.  
   

• GIS Application Development: Develop GIS applications, tools, and scripts to automate workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance decision support capabilities. 

• Technical Support: Provide technical support and training to staff on GIS software, data collection techniques, and spatial analysis methods. 

• Project Management: Coordinate GIS projects, including requirements gathering, scope definition, resource allocation, and timeline management, to ensure timely delivery of solutions. 
   

• Quality Assurance: Perform quality assurance checks on spatial data, maps, and analyses to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards and best practices. 

• Technical Innovation. Identify ways to use GIS tools and emerging technologies to improve current analytical practices and strengthen community planning processes. 

Minimum Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geography, GIS, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field. 

• Minimum of two years of experience working with ESRI products. 

• Strong skills in using Esri ArcGIS desktop software, including ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro 

• Strong knowledge of spatial analysis techniques and geoprocessing tools. 

• Experience working with different coordinate systems, map projections, and datums 

• Experience using ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Portal, and various ArcGIS Online tools including StoryMaps, Experience Builder, etc. 

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. 

• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel 

• Knowledge of cartographic processes and the demonstrated ability to create well-designed maps and visuals of spatial analyses 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate diversely. 

• Project management experience and the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

Preferred but not required 

• Experience GIS database management. 

• Knowledge of municipal planning, zoning regulations, and government processes. 

• Familiarity with other web mapping technologies (e.g. Leaflet, Mapbox) and mobile GIS applications. 

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud.  

• Experience with Python, ModelBuilder, Javascript, or another common GIS scripting language.  

• GIS certifications are a plus. 

For more information about Planning NEXT, visit www.planning-next.com. 

If you want to join us, please email a cover letter and resume to: 

Sarah Bongiorno, sarah@planning-next.com. No phone calls please.