Job Title: Senior Associate I / Planner

Location: Columbia, SC

About Us:

CGL Companies is a premier provider of innovative planning, design, program management, and facility maintenance services tailored to justice facilities. We are committed to creating environments that optimize safety, efficiency, and positive outcomes for communities and stakeholders. While this role is advertised at an entry level, we encourage candidates of all experience levels, including senior professionals, to apply. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and career level.

Job Description:

As a Planner with CGL, you will support the Planning Group in delivering a wide array of management, operational, system, and facility-related services. This role requires analytical skills, operational insight, and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams to meet client objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Management/Operational Services:

• Conduct Staff Assessments to evaluate staffing needs based on operational philosophies, legal requirements, facility layouts, and support services.
• Perform Policy Reviews to align agency policies with local requirements, national standards, case law, and best practices.
• Execute Budget Reviews to analyze agency expenditures and revenues, ensuring alignment with mission and operational goals.
• Conduct Program Evaluations to assess justice programs' design and impact against stakeholder goals.
• Lead Operational Assessments to analyze workflows, processes, and procedures, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Develop Operational Space Programming to provide architects with technical data that ensure operations dictate facility design.
• Support Transition and Activation activities, including staff training, policy establishment, and equipment commissioning.

System/Facility Services:

• Create dynamic Master Plans to guide system or facility improvements over time.
• Develop Strategic Plans to allocate resources and achieve long-term goals.
• Provide detailed Space Programming data, translating operational needs into actionable design elements.
• Engage in Conceptual Facility Planning to synthesize operational, security, and cost factors into facility designs.

Analytical Approaches Applied Across Services:

• Conduct Needs Assessments to identify gaps between current conditions and desired outcomes.
• Perform Feasibility Studies to evaluate requirements, alternatives, and action plans for client needs.
• Provide Financial Analyses to inform resource allocation, economic trends, and project planning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with planning tools (e.g., AutoCAD, GIS) is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• A passion for innovative planning and creating transformative justice system solutions.

Why Join CGL?

• Career Growth: Clear pathways for advancement from entry-level to executive roles.
• Innovative Work: Help design justice facilities that transform communities.
• Collaborative Team: Work with industry leaders who value creativity and results.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply:

Ready to make an impact? Submit your resume and/or cover letter to tariley@cglcompanies.com or apply directly on our website at www.cgljobs.com. We look forward to learning more about your expertise and vision for this role. CGL Companies is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.