Junior Planner (Limited-Term) – Multiple Positions
Southern California Association of Governments, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Salary & Benefits
The current hourly salary range for this position is $28.35 to $38.28. Pending approval from the Regional Council at the General Assembly in May 2026, the hourly salary range for this position will be revised to $32.01 to $43.21 beginning July 1, 2026 as a result of findings from a recently completed salary study. The maximum starting rate for this position will be up to 10% above the minimum of the approved range.
This posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever occurs first.
SCAG is hiring five entry-level Junior Planners to join our Planning Division. These limited-term roles are structured as part of a two-year cohort program that offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals to gain hands‑on experience, mentorship, and exposure to a variety of planning disciplines across the region, while supporting initiatives that shape a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Southern California.
The Junior Planners will be placed in one of four departments: Community and Economic Development; Modeling; Mobility Planning and Goods Movement; and Partnerships, Technology, and Innovation for the duration of the two‑year program, expected to begin in July 2026.
Community and Economic Development Department
Focuses on advancing and implementing key strategies in support of Connect SoCal, the region’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. The department consists of two business units: Capacity‑Building & Placemaking and Land Use & Economic Development. The Junior Planner in this department will support the coordination and implementation of SCAG’s community engagement programs and may contribute to initiatives like the Community Hubs Toolkit and Economic Empowerment programs, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement and support for major events and initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Support coordination and implementation of community engagement programs such as the Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library, Community Streets Grants, and creative messaging campaigns, by facilitating partner collaboration and resource distribution among jurisdictions, agencies and community‑based organizations.
Assist with tracking deliverables and improving internal workflows.
Liaise with internal departments to develop agreements for program partners and support program implementation.
Support storytelling, communications and engagement efforts to amplify planning stories in creative and accessible ways.
Assist with grant applications, reporting, and program evaluation.
Mobility Planning & Goods Movement Department
Focuses on improving mobility, optimizing the goods movement network, and expanding transportation choices. The department achieves its goals through demand management, multimodal system integration, and initiatives aimed at enhancing economic efficiency, safety, and air quality. It is divided into two business units: Goods Movement & Aviation and Multimodal Integration. The Junior Planner in this department will support SCAG’s good’s Movement initiatives, including the Last Mile Freight Program and other comprehensive planning efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Support administration of freight programs such as the Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP) and INVEST CLEAN.
Assist with stakeholder coordination, outreach, and program implementation activities.
Conduct research and data analysis to support freight, aviation, and regional planning efforts.
Contribute to development of reports, program documentation, and planning studies.
Support major regional initiatives, including Connect SoCal and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other comprehensive planning efforts.
Modeling Department
Provides essential modeling services to support SCAG’s key plans and projects. The department develops and maintains an Activity‑based Model, a Heavy‑duty Truck Model, and a Scenario Planning Model. The Junior Modeler in this department will support travel demand modeling tasks, data analysis, and the analysis of planning strategies and performance monitoring.
Key Responsibilities
Support the development and application of transportation models, including regional travel demand mode land scenario planning model.
Process data inputs including socio‑economic, land use and network data.
Use data processing tools and statistical programming, such as Python, R, SQL and SAS, to process, visualize large and complex datasets.
Assist in model runs, quality control and validation.
Support model documentation, reporting, and data visualization.
Support development of scripts and tools to improve SCAG’s modeling processes, improve workflows automation, and expand analytical capabilities.
Collaborate with modelers and planners on modeling inputs, assumptions, and results.
Explore new data sources, review and summarize new approaches in travel demand modeling.
Assist in data collection and analysis for performance monitoring tasks and environmental assessment.
Partnerships, Technology & Innovation Department
Committed to advancing transformative technology and transportation initiatives in line with Connect SoCal, other policies, and SCAG’s Regional Council directives. It operates through two main business units: Regional Pilots and the Technology and Innovation, fostering partnerships for innovative pilot projects. The Junior Planners in this department will support the administration and implementation of innovative partnership programs and pilot projects in their respective business unit.
Key Responsibilities – Regional Pilots
Support implementation and closeout of major transportation partnership programs such as REAP 2.0 and the Quick Build program.
Assist with implementation of Regional Pilot Initiative (RPI) mobility pilots such as open‑loop fare payments, micro‑mobility, big data, and mobility hubs.
Assist with program administration, including supporting oversight of public agency partnerships, tracking invoices, contracts, and program metrics.
Coordinate with project managers, partners, and vendors on the development and implementation of pilot project milestones, schedule, and deliverables.
Support evaluation, reporting, and storytelling of pilot program outcomes including lessons learned for scaling and accelerating future pilot projects.
Key Responsibilities – Technology and Innovation
Support development of the Smart Cities Strategic Plan.
Support the Smart Cities Call for Projects, including application development, outreach, selection of awards, and implementation of projects.
Contribute to the Clean Cities Coalition initiatives and clean transportation programs, including research and reporting.
Support Clean Cities coalition activities, stakeholder coordination and program outreach.
Contribute to planning efforts related to Connect SoCal and other regional initiatives.
Provide administrative and analytical support across innovation‑focused programs.
Program Benefits and Development
Gain hands‑on experience supporting real‑world planning programs and initiatives.
Work collaboratively across departments and with external partners throughout the SCAG region.
Develop skills in research, data analysis, and program implementation.
Contribute to projects that shape regional transportation, land use, and sustainability outcomes.
Build professional experience through mentorship, training, and exposure to multidisciplinary planning work.
Participate in team meetings, cross‑functional initiatives, and agency‑wide efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To qualify, applicants must have graduated from an accredited college or university within the previous 24 months with a degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Health, Data Science, or other related field.
Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered. Due to the foundational nature of this cohort program, priority will be given to recent graduates seeking to gain entry‑level work experience in regional planning.
Desired Skills and Experience
Strong research, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, including experience working with policy, data, or statistical analysis.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
Experience preparing, writing, and presenting reports or presentations.
Knowledge of urban planning principles, including land use, zoning, demographics, and economic analysis.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners.
Interest in community engagement and participatory planning processes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Familiarity with GIS concepts, tools, or applications.
This posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever comes first. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.
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The current hourly salary range for this position is $28.35 to $38.28. Pending approval from the Regional Council at the General Assembly in May 2026, the hourly salary range for this position will be revised to $32.01 to $43.21 beginning July 1, 2026 as a result of findings from a recently completed salary study. The maximum starting rate for this position will be up to 10% above the minimum of the approved range.
This posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever occurs first.
SCAG is hiring five entry-level Junior Planners to join our Planning Division. These limited-term roles are structured as part of a two-year cohort program that offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals to gain hands‑on experience, mentorship, and exposure to a variety of planning disciplines across the region, while supporting initiatives that shape a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Southern California.
The Junior Planners will be placed in one of four departments: Community and Economic Development; Modeling; Mobility Planning and Goods Movement; and Partnerships, Technology, and Innovation for the duration of the two‑year program, expected to begin in July 2026.
Community and Economic Development Department
Focuses on advancing and implementing key strategies in support of Connect SoCal, the region’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. The department consists of two business units: Capacity‑Building & Placemaking and Land Use & Economic Development. The Junior Planner in this department will support the coordination and implementation of SCAG’s community engagement programs and may contribute to initiatives like the Community Hubs Toolkit and Economic Empowerment programs, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement and support for major events and initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Support coordination and implementation of community engagement programs such as the Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library, Community Streets Grants, and creative messaging campaigns, by facilitating partner collaboration and resource distribution among jurisdictions, agencies and community‑based organizations.
Assist with tracking deliverables and improving internal workflows.
Liaise with internal departments to develop agreements for program partners and support program implementation.
Support storytelling, communications and engagement efforts to amplify planning stories in creative and accessible ways.
Assist with grant applications, reporting, and program evaluation.
Mobility Planning & Goods Movement Department
Focuses on improving mobility, optimizing the goods movement network, and expanding transportation choices. The department achieves its goals through demand management, multimodal system integration, and initiatives aimed at enhancing economic efficiency, safety, and air quality. It is divided into two business units: Goods Movement & Aviation and Multimodal Integration. The Junior Planner in this department will support SCAG’s good’s Movement initiatives, including the Last Mile Freight Program and other comprehensive planning efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Support administration of freight programs such as the Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP) and INVEST CLEAN.
Assist with stakeholder coordination, outreach, and program implementation activities.
Conduct research and data analysis to support freight, aviation, and regional planning efforts.
Contribute to development of reports, program documentation, and planning studies.
Support major regional initiatives, including Connect SoCal and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other comprehensive planning efforts.
Modeling Department
Provides essential modeling services to support SCAG’s key plans and projects. The department develops and maintains an Activity‑based Model, a Heavy‑duty Truck Model, and a Scenario Planning Model. The Junior Modeler in this department will support travel demand modeling tasks, data analysis, and the analysis of planning strategies and performance monitoring.
Key Responsibilities
Support the development and application of transportation models, including regional travel demand mode land scenario planning model.
Process data inputs including socio‑economic, land use and network data.
Use data processing tools and statistical programming, such as Python, R, SQL and SAS, to process, visualize large and complex datasets.
Assist in model runs, quality control and validation.
Support model documentation, reporting, and data visualization.
Support development of scripts and tools to improve SCAG’s modeling processes, improve workflows automation, and expand analytical capabilities.
Collaborate with modelers and planners on modeling inputs, assumptions, and results.
Explore new data sources, review and summarize new approaches in travel demand modeling.
Assist in data collection and analysis for performance monitoring tasks and environmental assessment.
Partnerships, Technology & Innovation Department
Committed to advancing transformative technology and transportation initiatives in line with Connect SoCal, other policies, and SCAG’s Regional Council directives. It operates through two main business units: Regional Pilots and the Technology and Innovation, fostering partnerships for innovative pilot projects. The Junior Planners in this department will support the administration and implementation of innovative partnership programs and pilot projects in their respective business unit.
Key Responsibilities – Regional Pilots
Support implementation and closeout of major transportation partnership programs such as REAP 2.0 and the Quick Build program.
Assist with implementation of Regional Pilot Initiative (RPI) mobility pilots such as open‑loop fare payments, micro‑mobility, big data, and mobility hubs.
Assist with program administration, including supporting oversight of public agency partnerships, tracking invoices, contracts, and program metrics.
Coordinate with project managers, partners, and vendors on the development and implementation of pilot project milestones, schedule, and deliverables.
Support evaluation, reporting, and storytelling of pilot program outcomes including lessons learned for scaling and accelerating future pilot projects.
Key Responsibilities – Technology and Innovation
Support development of the Smart Cities Strategic Plan.
Support the Smart Cities Call for Projects, including application development, outreach, selection of awards, and implementation of projects.
Contribute to the Clean Cities Coalition initiatives and clean transportation programs, including research and reporting.
Support Clean Cities coalition activities, stakeholder coordination and program outreach.
Contribute to planning efforts related to Connect SoCal and other regional initiatives.
Provide administrative and analytical support across innovation‑focused programs.
Program Benefits and Development
Gain hands‑on experience supporting real‑world planning programs and initiatives.
Work collaboratively across departments and with external partners throughout the SCAG region.
Develop skills in research, data analysis, and program implementation.
Contribute to projects that shape regional transportation, land use, and sustainability outcomes.
Build professional experience through mentorship, training, and exposure to multidisciplinary planning work.
Participate in team meetings, cross‑functional initiatives, and agency‑wide efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To qualify, applicants must have graduated from an accredited college or university within the previous 24 months with a degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Health, Data Science, or other related field.
Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered. Due to the foundational nature of this cohort program, priority will be given to recent graduates seeking to gain entry‑level work experience in regional planning.
Desired Skills and Experience
Strong research, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, including experience working with policy, data, or statistical analysis.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines effectively.
Experience preparing, writing, and presenting reports or presentations.
Knowledge of urban planning principles, including land use, zoning, demographics, and economic analysis.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners.
Interest in community engagement and participatory planning processes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Familiarity with GIS concepts, tools, or applications.
This posting will remain open until May 18, 2026 or until 300 applications are received, whichever comes first. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.
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