Planning Assistant Jobs
Planning Assistant jobs are open across government agencies, urban planning firms, construction management, and healthcare systems, from entry-level to senior coordinator roles, with specializations in land use, transportation, and project scheduling. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Department Summary:
Drake University is currently seeking a new team member to join our Facilities Planning and Management department. We are looking for a capable, service-minded individual who takes pride in their work and enjoys being part of a collaborative team.
This position offers the opportunity to work alongside an outstanding group of dedicated professionals who help keep our campus operating efficiently, safely, and beautifully every day. If you are motivated by service, teamwork, and making a visible impact on the campus community, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Drake family.
Job Summary:
The Assistant Director serves as a key member of the FPM leadership team. This position provides strong management and leadership to one or more of the following areas: HVAC, buildings, custodial, and/or grounds. Reporting to the Executive Director, Facilities, Planning & Management, this position serves as an operational leader and acts in the Executive Director’s absence when designated. This position is expected to report to campus during emergencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree preferred,
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in facilities, operations, or related discipline
Three (3) years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for employee performance, work planning, coaching, and accountability.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Knowledge:
Strong knowledge of building systems, deferred maintenance prioritization processes, construction, and/or regulatory compliance.
Experience managing multiple priorities, responding to operational challenges, and delivering results in a customer service-oriented environment.
Proven ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, collegial, and consensus building relationship at all levels of the university based on competence, trust, and respect.
Knowledge of design process for capital projects and understanding of contracts and insurance requirements.
Demonstrated experience as a strategic thinker with proven planning and organization skills to effectively manage multiple projects of varying size and complexity, and the ability to modify or adjust priorities.
Essential Functions:
30% Provide leadership and department management
Directly oversee and manage one or more FPM departments by providing clear direction, establishing priorities, and aligning team efforts with departmental and institutional goals. Cultivate a positive, inclusive work environment where employees are empowered, supported, and equipped to perform at their highest potential. Engages in recruitment, hiring and training of FPM staff. Maintains and schedules monthly staff safety training, professional development planning processes and conducts employee performance reviews. Fosters a culture of safety.
20% Manage departmental planning and continuous improvement efforts
Assist in the development and implementation of unit-level planning documents, including the FP&M continuous improvement plan and the facilities condition index. In close collaboration with all FPM managers, develop response plans to the administrative services survey (an internal customer service survey) and annual employee morale surveys. Develop and implement new ways to continually improve reporting, monitoring, and implementation of unit plans.
20% Lead communication efforts and build relationships
Serve as a liaison between FPM and campus constituents by fostering effective communication regarding work orders, maintenance activities, construction projects, facility-related issues, and operational concerns. Coordinate with faculty, staff, students, and departmental representatives to provide timely updates, address questions, manage expectations, and ensure customer concerns are appropriately resolved. Monitor work orders to ensure timely communication with constituents and support employees in their respective communications efforts. Serve on university committees and ad hoc task forces, as assigned.
10% Provide budget oversight and monitoring
Assist in the fiscal management of assigned FPM operations, including the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental operating and capital budgets. Analyze expenditures and revenue trends, prepare financial forecasts, reconcile accounts, and ensure resources are allocated effectively to support departmental priorities.
10% Manage safety and emergency management functions
Oversee and ensure campus buildings have annual safety building inspections and are in full compliance with building codes and regulatory agencies. Work collaboratively with other campus partners on emergency management planning and as needed, play a key role in the deployment of emergency plans. Partners with Environmental Health & Safety and other stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
5% Oversee project management and issue resolution
Provides management guidance and technical direction in the resolution of problems associated with maintenance, facilities and landscaping issues. Work with contractors to ensure the most appropriate course of action and to oversee the implementation of assigned repair or maintenance projects. Responds to emergencies and shutdowns, both during and outside regular shifts.
5% Performs other duties as assigned
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.
If you have any questions about this job positing or the application process, please email kevin.moran@drake.edu
A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts.
One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children.
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Learn more about why Drake is an exceptional place to work: An Exceptional Working Environment | Drake University
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; email: jobs@drake.edu ) and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Department Summary:
Drake University is currently seeking a new team member to join our Facilities Planning and Management department. We are looking for a capable, service-minded individual who takes pride in their work and enjoys being part of a collaborative team.
This position offers the opportunity to work alongside an outstanding group of dedicated professionals who help keep our campus operating efficiently, safely, and beautifully every day. If you are motivated by service, teamwork, and making a visible impact on the campus community, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Drake family.
Job Summary:
The Assistant Director serves as a key member of the FPM leadership team. This position provides strong management and leadership to one or more of the following areas: HVAC, buildings, custodial, and/or grounds. Reporting to the Executive Director, Facilities, Planning & Management, this position serves as an operational leader and acts in the Executive Director’s absence when designated. This position is expected to report to campus during emergencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree preferred,
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in facilities, operations, or related discipline
Three (3) years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for employee performance, work planning, coaching, and accountability.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Knowledge:
Strong knowledge of building systems, deferred maintenance prioritization processes, construction, and/or regulatory compliance.
Experience managing multiple priorities, responding to operational challenges, and delivering results in a customer service-oriented environment.
Proven ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, collegial, and consensus building relationship at all levels of the university based on competence, trust, and respect.
Knowledge of design process for capital projects and understanding of contracts and insurance requirements.
Demonstrated experience as a strategic thinker with proven planning and organization skills to effectively manage multiple projects of varying size and complexity, and the ability to modify or adjust priorities.
Essential Functions:
30% Provide leadership and department management
Directly oversee and manage one or more FPM departments by providing clear direction, establishing priorities, and aligning team efforts with departmental and institutional goals. Cultivate a positive, inclusive work environment where employees are empowered, supported, and equipped to perform at their highest potential. Engages in recruitment, hiring and training of FPM staff. Maintains and schedules monthly staff safety training, professional development planning processes and conducts employee performance reviews. Fosters a culture of safety.
20% Manage departmental planning and continuous improvement efforts
Assist in the development and implementation of unit-level planning documents, including the FP&M continuous improvement plan and the facilities condition index. In close collaboration with all FPM managers, develop response plans to the administrative services survey (an internal customer service survey) and annual employee morale surveys. Develop and implement new ways to continually improve reporting, monitoring, and implementation of unit plans.
20% Lead communication efforts and build relationships
Serve as a liaison between FPM and campus constituents by fostering effective communication regarding work orders, maintenance activities, construction projects, facility-related issues, and operational concerns. Coordinate with faculty, staff, students, and departmental representatives to provide timely updates, address questions, manage expectations, and ensure customer concerns are appropriately resolved. Monitor work orders to ensure timely communication with constituents and support employees in their respective communications efforts. Serve on university committees and ad hoc task forces, as assigned.
10% Provide budget oversight and monitoring
Assist in the fiscal management of assigned FPM operations, including the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental operating and capital budgets. Analyze expenditures and revenue trends, prepare financial forecasts, reconcile accounts, and ensure resources are allocated effectively to support departmental priorities.
10% Manage safety and emergency management functions
Oversee and ensure campus buildings have annual safety building inspections and are in full compliance with building codes and regulatory agencies. Work collaboratively with other campus partners on emergency management planning and as needed, play a key role in the deployment of emergency plans. Partners with Environmental Health & Safety and other stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
5% Oversee project management and issue resolution
Provides management guidance and technical direction in the resolution of problems associated with maintenance, facilities and landscaping issues. Work with contractors to ensure the most appropriate course of action and to oversee the implementation of assigned repair or maintenance projects. Responds to emergencies and shutdowns, both during and outside regular shifts.
5% Performs other duties as assigned
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.
If you have any questions about this job positing or the application process, please email kevin.moran@drake.edu
A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts.
One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children.
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Learn more about why Drake is an exceptional place to work: An Exceptional Working Environment | Drake University
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; email: jobs@drake.edu ) and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Planning Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Planning Assistant JobsPlanning Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- WSP in the U.S.13
- Planned Parenthood3
- GLOVIS America3
- City of Atlanta2
- Emmet County, MI2E
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services14
- Construction & Real Estate13
- Education1
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in planning assistant jobs.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field
- Proficiency with GIS software for spatial data analysis and mapping tasks
- Experience preparing reports, presentations, and planning documents for internal and public audiences
- Ability to coordinate across multiple departments, contractors, or government agencies simultaneously
- Familiarity with zoning codes, land use regulations, or municipal permitting processes
- Strong written communication skills for drafting staff reports, meeting minutes, and correspondence
Tips for Your Planning Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to planning tools
Highlight specific software you've used, such as GIS platforms, project management systems, or scheduling applications. Generic resumes get filtered out quickly. Name the exact tools in your work history so hiring managers can match your background to their tech stack.
Show your coordination outcomes concretely
Planning assistants are judged on how well they keep projects moving. Replace vague phrases like 'assisted with planning tasks' with specific outcomes: permit timelines you tracked, meetings you coordinated, or documents you maintained across multiple departments or stakeholders.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists planning assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that name your specialization
Planning assistant roles in land use, transportation, and community development draw different candidate pools. Search by your specific focus area to avoid competing against applicants from unrelated planning disciplines, and make sure your resume mirrors the terminology in each posting.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers for planning assistant roles frequently ask how you'd handle conflicting project deadlines or incomplete data from a stakeholder. Practice walking through a real example using a problem-action-result structure before you go in.
Follow up with a planning-specific thank-you note
Reference one concrete project detail or challenge discussed in the interview. A generic thank-you is easy to ignore, but connecting your note to something specific about the department's current work signals genuine interest and reinforces your fit for the role.
Planning Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most planning assistants?
The companies hiring the most planning assistants right now include WSP in the U.S., Planned Parenthood, and GLOVIS America, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Government agencies and municipal planning departments consistently account for a large portion of active openings.
How many planning assistant jobs are remote?
About 25% of planning assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies by specialization. Administrative, research, and document-review functions are most likely to be remote, while roles requiring site visits, public hearings, or hands-on permit coordination are typically in-person or hybrid.
How do you become a planning assistant?
Start by completing a degree in urban planning, public administration, geography, or a closely related field. Build familiarity with GIS software and local land use regulations through coursework or internships. Apply to entry-level positions at city or county planning departments, regional agencies, or private planning consultancies to get your first hands-on experience.
Can you get a planning assistant job with little or no experience?
Yes, many planning assistant roles are explicitly entry-level and expect candidates without prior professional experience. Internships with a city planning office, volunteer work on community development projects, or relevant coursework in zoning and land use can substitute for direct work history. Demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to regulatory detail matters more than years on the job at the entry level.
What does the planning assistant interview process look like?
Most planning assistant interviews include an initial phone or video screen followed by one or two rounds with the hiring team. Expect scenario questions about managing competing deadlines, coordinating with the public, or interpreting zoning documents. Some agencies require a short written exercise or ask you to review a sample staff report and summarize key issues before or during the final interview.
Where can I find and apply to planning assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to planning assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 120+ Planning Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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