How to hire a regional planner

How to hire a regional planner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step regional planner hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a regional planner job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new regional planner
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a regional planner do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The regional planner hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A regional planner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, regional planners from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of regional planners and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Regional Planner	Description	Hourly rate
   Regional Planner	Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.	$22-42
   Urban Design Consultant	An urban design consultant is in charge of many projects, and so they have to oversee tasks and plan assignments. They are skilled in creating interior design solutions, space planning, sketching, and product selection... Show more	$24-37
   Planning Internship	When it comes to planning an internship, an intern's duties will depend on the directives of supervising staff or a manager. Typically, an intern's responsibilities will revolve around performing clerical tasks such as processing documents, producing reports and presentations, responding to calls and correspondence, and managing schedules... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Regional Planning
   • Transportation Planning
   • GIS
   • Public Health
   • Environmental Planning
   • Technical Assistance
   • Public Hearings
   • Emergency Management
   • General Plan
   • Staff Reports
   • Planning Commission
   • Plan Development
   • Emergency Operations
   • Construction Projects

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Guide production planning activities ranging from developing and revising production schedules, forecasting trends and customer demand, and managing logistics.
   • Analyze data and create maps using GIS mapping software.
   • Conduct data analyses as well as created maps using GIS software to show to working relationships.
   • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
   • Create PowerPoint presentations for meetings in business plans and meetings at executive levels.

   More regional planner duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your regional planner job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A regional planner salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a regional planner in South Dakota may be lower than in California, and an entry-level regional planner usually earns less than a senior-level regional planner. Additionally, a regional planner with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average regional planner salary

   $65,450yearly

   $31.47 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level regional planner salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

   Average regional planner salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$88,700	$43
   2	California	$83,068	$40
   3	Massachusetts	$76,231	$37
   4	New York	$73,288	$35
   5	Colorado	$72,482	$35
   6	Virginia	$71,817	$35
   7	Maryland	$68,637	$33
   8	Minnesota	$67,976	$33
   9	Texas	$64,845	$31
   10	Connecticut	$64,765	$31
   11	Hawaii	$64,379	$31
   12	Ohio	$62,979	$30
   13	Michigan	$61,299	$29
   14	Illinois	$61,144	$29
   15	Florida	$58,031	$28
   16	North Carolina	$56,945	$27
   17	Tennessee	$56,695	$27
   18	Georgia	$56,553	$27
   19	Mississippi	$56,008	$27
   20	Indiana	$54,539	$26

   Average regional planner salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	City of Detroit	$88,366	$42.48
   2	Celanese	$77,330	$37.18
   3	CDM Smith	$77,205	$37.12	6
   4	Ernst & Young	$75,807	$36.45	23
   5	OBM	$73,157	$35.17
   6	Cambridge Systematics	$70,711	$34.00
   7	The Landrum Company, Inc.	$70,585	$33.94
   8	Michael Baker	$68,804	$33.08	6
   9	Louis Berger	$68,616	$32.99
   10	Bausch + Lomb	$68,578	$32.97	4
   11	Metropolitan Transportation Commission	$67,749	$32.57
   12	Owens & Minor	$67,568	$32.48	14
   13	AECOM	$67,553	$32.48	37
   14	San Diego Association of Governments	$67,213	$32.31
   15	Department of Public Social Services	$67,156	$32.29
   16	Timothy Haahs & Associates	$67,026	$32.22
   17	University Health	$66,404	$31.93
   18	Ayers Saint Gross	$66,356	$31.90	1
   19	HNTB	$66,262	$31.86	79
   20	BCC Engineering	$66,101	$31.78

4. Writing a regional planner job description

   A regional planner job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a regional planner job description:

   Regional planner job description example

   This role combines the responsibilities of the Planner and the Scheduler function. Primarily responsible for receiving all written and electronic customer work requests, verify completeness of all entries, enter information into CMMS, determine appropriate supervisor and make assignments - issue work order. Plans and schedules work utilizing maintenance management systems (CMMS, et al) and standard procedures to optimize maintenance resource utilization and productivity. Responsible for effective configuration and utilization of CMMS, including data capture, backlog management, labor management / resource productivity, performance reporting, material management, etc. as required to meet the strategic long-term objectives of the CUSTOMER Engineering team. Team spirit and commitment to customer service is required.
   
   This position is responsible for managing all activities related to planning and scheduling operations, maintenance, and engineering resources by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   * Schedule maintenance activities including service requests and preventive/corrective maintenance. Work closely with the account. Management team to ensure effects on operations are recognized, well planned and coordinated. Develop, generate and disseminate the maintenance schedule.
   * Analyze maintenance and project resource requirements and assign mechanical, electrical, and engineering services as required. Identify resources and materials required to execute the requested work.
   * Coordinate maintenance activities and details with other departments, preparing specifications and work
   * packages. (Work packages include materials, labor, special tools/equipment and written procedures to insure a safe & efficient working environment. Where Work Permits are required, verify completeness and include with work packages.)
   * Ensure the work packages are complete and all materials, labor and equipment are available prior to scheduling work. Ensure plans, schedules and resources needed are well-defined, documented and meet customer requirements. Perform QA function in work order process.
   * Maintain a comprehensive backlog of all maintenance activity by work type (CMMS). Recognize the priority of the work order backlog and re-schedule when appropriate seeking direction from the Work Manager.
   * Maintain an accurate asset registry within the CMMS.
   * Communicates with Building Manager/Requester to determine total scope of work and priority of the project or service request work to be performed. Submits written notifications to Building Managers to coordinate upcoming shutdowns.
   * Administers the preventative maintenance tracking and documentation programs, assigns and distributes the work to the appropriate supervisor, reviews scope and frequency of assignments with the supervisor and makes changes where required.
   * Acts as a contact/liaison between O&M staff and the requesting department for the planning and scheduling of work performed by O&M site team.
   * Reviews monthly performance reports for accuracy and make corrections when necessary. Ensures all established costs, quality, and delivery commitments are met. Reviews production and operating reports and highlights the resolution of operational and maintenance problems.
   
   OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / DUTIES:
   
   * Collaborate with the account management team and CUSTOMER management team to identify, develop, and deploy best practices (i.e. safety, quality control, training, standards and qualifications, maintenance practices, etc.).
   * Attends daily/weekly meetings to develop the next day/week's schedule, reviews the status of scheduled work orders, and discusses new, incoming work orders.
   * Recommends and arranges alternatives for resource schedule constraints - eg. change assignments, over-time, utilization of 3rd party.
   * May estimate job requirements for preventative maintenance activities including number/type of O&M staff to be assigned and number of man-hours per task.
   * May identify opportunities to improve process, planning or performance through analysis of work order flow, project demands and expectations. May review utilization and cost data to recommend corrective actions to reduce costs.
   * Performs administrative activities associated with the effective management of operations, including compiling, storing and retrieving data for reports.
   * Other duties as assigned
   
   JOB FUNCTIONS: PERCENTAGE OF TIME SPENT BY CATEGORY
   
   SAFETY 10%
   
   PJHAs / Observations / Communications / Permits
   
   PERFORM ASSIGNED TASKS / ADMINISTRATIVE
   
   Job estimating, Work Order Completion / Feedback 65%
   
   Customer Relations
   
   Maintain daily job status update system and scheduling
   
   MEETINGS 20%
   
   Safety, Planning/Scheduling, Employee(s), Customer
   
   BREAKS/LUNCH 5%
   
   QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
   
   Education:
   
   * High school/GED with equivalent experience; Associates degree in maintenance technology, preferred.
   
   Skills:
   
   * Good oral/written communication skills and possess tact.
   * Time management skills.
   * Good administrative and mathematical skills with willingness to handle paperwork.
   * Have a working knowledge of personal computers. Able to navigate CMMS and MS Excel.
   * Have good planning and organizational skills.
   * Ability to understand what constitutes good instructions.
   * Able to read blueprints and shop drawings.
   * Understanding of the proper use of work orders, priorities, scheduling, etc.
   * Ability to keep multiple jobs in controlled motion-simultaneously.
   * Style and capability commanding respect within both maintenance and operating organizations.
   
   C&W Services is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right regional planner for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with regional planners they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit regional planners who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your regional planner job on Zippia to find and recruit regional planner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit regional planners, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new regional planner

   Once you have selected a candidate for the regional planner position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new regional planner. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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