Urban Planning Project Assistant / Graphic Designer

Dyett & Bhatia seeks an Urban Planning Project Assistant / Graphic Designer in Oakland, CA. This hybrid role involves creating polished documents, supporting planners with outreach materials, and maintaining project websites. Candidates should have expertise in InDesign and Microsoft Office, strong communication skills, and a background in urban planning. A BA in a related field and a graphic design portfolio are required. Relocation to the Bay Area is necessary.
Come join our creative team shaping cities across California!

ABOUT US

Dyett & Bhatia is a leading urban planning consulting firm, based in Oakland, spearheading long-range planning projects that address the key challenges of our time, across California and beyond. Sustainable placemaking is at the core of what we do, and environmental justice, public health, and climate resilience are principal considerations in our work. See www.dyettandbhatia.com to find out more about us.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position carries primary responsibility of preparing high quality, polished documents (often several hundred pages long) using Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word, and supporting planners in preparing display boards, surveys, and other community outreach materials. The position also involves a variety of tasks such as maintaining project websites; preparing presentations, meeting notes, and short reports; and general project and office organization.

The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in InDesign and Microsoft Office, have excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills, a keen attention to detail, able to work efficiently and meet deadlines, and interest and background in urban planning.

Responsibilities would include:
• Prepare and coordinate documents with high level of graphic, mapping, and photographic content, working with planners and cartographers. Maintain versions, ensure quality control, proof and edit (approx. 50-60% time)
• Provide support for planning projects – prepare PowerPoint presentations, charts and graphs using Excel, transcribe meeting notes, write survey reports and short sections of planning documents, assist with public workshops (virtual and in-person), schedule and manage virtual meetings through Zoom, organize materials, gather data, prepare graphics (approximately 20-30% time)
• Assist with project websites setup and upkeep (approximately 10% time)
• Administrative support (approximately 10-15% time)

This is a hybrid WFH/office position. Successful candidate will need to be based in or willing to relocate to the Bay Area.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates must have a BA in a related field and relevant prior work experience. Please also submit a graphic design portfolio of work that showcases your creativity, conceptual thinking, and experience designing print materials. Writing samples are also welcome.

Required Skills
• Strong expertise in InDesign and MS Word; expertise in other Adobe CS software (Illustrator, Acrobat)
• Excellent copy-editing, grammar, and verbal communication skills. Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Strong graphic design skills including knowledge of page layout, information design, typography, UI design, and document printing
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with different levels of staff and clients
• Ability to take initiative, “can do” attitude, and commitment to meeting deadlines
• An eye for content inconsistencies and keen attention to detail

Desirable Skills
• Ability to create visually-compelling materials that represent complex data and information graphically in ways that are easily understood by a variety of audiences
• Expertise in Excel, PowerPoint, ArcGIS, and SketchUp
• Web design experience using WIX, Squarespace, Word Press or similar platform
• Interest and background in urban planning

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Expected starting salary range $63,000 per year (recent BA) to $65,000 per (1-2 yrs. post BA experience), inclusive of bonus and allowances, plus additional benefits. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, health and disability insurance, retirement plan match, and professional development allowance.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email resume and work samples (in PDF) to jobs@dyettandbhatia.com.