Staff Planner

Are you a creative thinker who enjoys hiking through rugged terrain and envisioning mountain bike trails across the landscape? Do you find the same joy in analyzing data to create graphically compelling maps? If you are a motivated self-starter with a passion for travel and consider yourself a trail nerd, IMBA Trail Solutions wants to hear from you. We are seeking a Staff Planner to join our dedicated team of trail planning professionals. Help shape the future of outdoor recreation!

We are currently hiring a full-time, remote-based Staff Planner to join IMBA's Trail Solutions team. Staff Planners are entry-level members of our planning and design team who work with IMBA Trail Solutions’ Senior Planners, Associate Planners, and Directors, supporting fee-for-service-based recreational trail system planning and design projects throughout the county. Project work includes community engagement and the development of trail feasibility studies, gap analysis, assessments, concept plan memos, and design memos.  This position is fully remote with the potential to travel 30% or more of the time.

Desired Professional and Educational Background:

• One (1) to four (4) years of professional planning and design experience, preferably related to trail-based recreation projects and site design
• One (1) plus years of professional trail industry experience (design, maintenance, construction, management)
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate field of Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or similar
• Minimum: Certificate in GIS. 

Overall Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Project mapping data acquisition (GIS, CAD, and GPS based), creation, and management
• Base map creation utilizing GIS (ArcPro) and/or CAD
• Map graphics creation utilizing Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Support field design and flagging of trail alignments and amenities
• Support the creation of trail network and bike park concept and design plans
• Production of concept plan memos, design memos, and construction documents
• Maintain flexibility and adaptability with many personality types
• Attend required company and departmental meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Communication and Professionalism Competencies:

• Innovative in critical thinking and problem solving, with an attention to detail throughout all work aspects 
• Client/Customer service-oriented, demonstrating concern for meeting internal and external customers’ needs 
• Strong self-motivation, time management, and organizational experience
• Able to work in an open and collaborative team environment
• The ability to convey thoughts and express ideas effectively verbally and in writing, using correct and appropriate grammar, organization, and structure
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a deliverable production-based environment, meeting deadlines and quality expectations

Theory Understanding:

• A foundational understanding of Trail System Planning theory, and other theories related to the effective development of sustainable trails

• Understands the jargon of trail development
• Communicates viewpoints supported by theory
• Seeks out continued education

Field Proficiency: 

• Serves as an asset when in the field, with the ability to ground truth data and gather additional accurate and useful data  

• Ability to interpret topographic maps and landscapes
• Ability to determine discrepancies between data and ground realities
• Gather and organize accurate and useful data
• Support decision-making by providing recommendations with solid reasoning
• Ability to assess and report on existing trail conditions
• Responsible for one's own well-being when in the field, plan food and water needs accordingly
• Physical capability to transport necessary equipment through various terrain and climatic conditions
• Knowledge of safety measures and backcountry protocol

Technical Competencies:

• Have extensive experience with ArcGIS Pro
• Strong experience managing, organizing, and sharing large geodatabases
• Strong experience acquiring geospatial data from USGS, SSURGO, and state/county/city GIS sites
• Strong understanding of terrain visualization and representation in ArcGIS Pro
• Strong ability to create and edit vector datasets (shapefiles and feature classes) in ArcGIS Pro, including manipulating attribute tables, symbolizing data classes, labeling features, and performing field calculations
• Strong ability to produce polished maps for reports, field work, and final deliverables
• Preferred ability to perform analysis on geospatial datasets, including digital elevation models, hydrology datasets, and multispectral imagery
• Preferred experience with ArcGIS Pro Model Builder
• Preferred proficiency in Python, Excel VBA, or other programming languages
• Competent in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud software, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Understanding of graphic design principles with the ability to implement in projects to display information in a clear and effective manner
• Understanding of the effective placement of text and images within a sheet layout and map graphic product
• Uses principles and elements of design when developing mapping deliverables
• Utilizes scales with accuracy
• Preference to have skills in AutoCAD and development/management of CAD sheet sets

Requirements

• Strong skills in GIS (ArcGIS Pro) and Adobe (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop). CAD experience is also preferred
• Experience and familiarity with creating and producing planning, design, and construction documents
• Experience with GPS tools, data collection, and data post-processing
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Mountain Biking and Travel Experience
• Potential to travel 30% or more of the time

Benefits

IMBA is the leading nonprofit organization for mountain biking advocacy and trails. A full-time opportunity here offers a rewarding career with growth opportunities, a remote work environment, travel, and a comprehensive benefits package (including generous PTO, health, dental, vision, and 401(k)).

The annual salary range for this role is $55,000-70,000 based on directly relevant experience.