JOB DESCRIPTION

Project Planner

Team: Community Planning & Design
Location: Madison County, Indiana
Salary: $47,000–$53,000 annually (commensurate with qualifications and experience)

Help Shape the Future of Communities
Heartland MPO is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and collaborative entry-level Planner to 
join our Community Planning & Design team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent 
graduate or early-career professional to build a career in community planning.
This position plays a supporting role in helping communities throughout Madison County 
and the surrounding region envision and implement long-range planning initiatives that 
enhance quality of life. The successful candidate will work closely with senior staff, local 
governments, elected officials, residents, and community stakeholders to help develop 
practical planning solutions.

This position reports directly to the manager of the Community Planning & Design Team.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Planning, Landscape Architecture, or a 
closely related field. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to pursue AICP Certification within an established timeframe.
• Zero to two years of professional planning experience; relevant internships, 
coursework, or academic projects will be considered.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks and project components while meeting deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, graphic, and public presentation skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the region.

Preferred Qualifications
• Coursework, internship, or volunteer experience with Indiana communities and local 
governments.
• Familiarity with Madison County and surrounding communities.
• Exposure to Planning Commissions, Boards of Zoning Appeals, Redevelopment 
Commissions, elected officials, or advisory committees.
• General knowledge of Indiana planning statutes and local government procedures.

Technical Skills
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat)
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Interest in graphic design and publication layout
• Interest in Story Maps and web-based public engagement tools

Primary Responsibilities
• Support comprehensive plans, park and recreation master plans, corridor studies, 
downtown revitalization plans, trail and greenway plans, housing studies, and other 
long-range planning initiatives under the guidance of senior staff.
• Assist in preparing professional reports, maps, graphics, presentations, and planning 
documents.
• Assist with demographic, land use, transportation, housing, parks, GIS, and economic 
development research and analysis.
• Help coordinate and staff public workshops, open houses, stakeholder meetings, 
steering committee meetings, and public engagement activities.
• Assist in presenting recommendations before planning commissions, elected officials, 
boards, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with engineers, landscape architects, transportation planners, economic 
development organizations, and other project partners.
• Support communities with implementation strategies, grant applications, and funding 
opportunities.
• Assist with project schedules, budgets, scopes of work, and consultant coordination.
• Participate in professional development to stay current on planning best practices, state 
and federal programs, and emerging planning trends.

Work Schedule & Benefits
• 35-hour work week
• Hybrid work schedule
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Sick Time
• Compensatory time for approved work beyond the standard schedule
• Competitive contribution to PERF Public Employee Retirement Fund
• Professional development and conference opportunities
• Continuing education and AICP exam support
• Collaborative and creative work environment
• Mentorship from experienced planning staff
Occasional evening meetings and public engagement events are required.

Ideal Candidate
• Passionate about building stronger communities.
• Eager to learn, creative, and solution-oriented.
• Enjoys collaborating with residents, elected officials, and community leaders.
• Developing graphic communication, mapping, and storytelling abilities.
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Takes initiative and ownership of assigned tasks.
• Thrives in a collaborative team environment.
• Wants to make a lasting impact on communities across Central Indiana.

To Apply
Please submit: cover letter, resume, portfolio or work samples (planning documents, 
graphics, maps, or presentations, including academic work), and three (3) professional or 
academic references to the following individuals by email.
John Lavine, Team Manager (john@heartlandmpo.org)
Jerry Bridges, Executive Director (jerry@heartlandmpo.org)
Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled. The Deadline for Application is 10-31-2026

MCCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and reserves the right as the employer not 
to hire.