About This Career

Develops comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster Planning pathway.

A person in this career:

• Designs, promotes, or administers government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
• Advises planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
• Holds public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
• Creates, prepares, or requisitions graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
• Mediates community disputes or assists in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
• Recommends approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
• Conducts field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
• Evaluates proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
• Discusses with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
• Keeps informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Overnight travel
• Weekend work