Senior Regional Planner (Demographics & Growth Vision)

Description

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking a data-driven and collaborative Senior Regional Planner to join the Demographics & Growth Vision unit within the Planning Division. This key position will lead three major projects in the areas of local data coordination, regional economics, and applied research. The first is SCAG’s Local Data Exchange (LDX) process for the development of Connect SoCal, the agency’s quadrennial Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) . LDX involves coordinating the review of zoning, general plan, land use, transportation, and growth forecast data across 197 local jurisdictions to inform regional plan development. The second project involves managing SCAG’s Economic Roundtable , a quarterly convening of leading independent economists to discuss regional economic trends, data, and current events. This includes contract and project management, ensuring consistency in data and messaging, and developing quarterly summaries and an annual economic update. The third project focuses on collaboration with internal staff and, when applicable, external university partners on data-oriented research in demographic and economic topics within regional planning. This includes contributing to analyses, technical reports, and occasionally peer-reviewed journal articles using data such as Census, business establishment s , land use, and location-based services (LBS).

This position is within the Demographics & Growth Vision business unit of the Planning division at SCAG . The unit is responsib le for developing demographic and economic forecasts to support the RTP/SCS, envisioning and mapping a land development pattern in Southern California that achieves region-level targets, conducting demographic assessments and economic impact analyses, and leading SCAG’s A nnual D emographic W orkshop and an Annual E conomic S ummit.

WHO WE ARE

As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

As part of our Work@SCAG policy , employees are eligible for two work models: in- office and hybrid. Eligibility for these models will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties, as determined by management. All work models require employees to be based within the SCAG region. This position is expected to follow the hybrid model and be in the office 2 days per week.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

MISSION

To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.

VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.

SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
  

• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
  

• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
  

• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
  

• Cultivate Belonging: Embrace differences, foster equity, champion inclusion, and empower all.
  

In this role you can expect to

• Lead SCAG’s Local Data Exchange (LDX) process, coordinating local input on long-term growth projections and maintaining critical datasets such as zoning, land use, and general plans.
  

• Manage, analyze, and communicate both spatial and non-spatial data at the regional, local, and neighborhood levels to inform planning decisions.
  

• Communicate and collaborate independently with local jurisdiction staff to support regional planning initiatives and ensure accurate data exchange.
  

• Oversee and enhance data-sharing platforms and tools that facilitate two-way communication between SCAG and member jurisdictions .
  

• Coordinate SCAG’s Economic Roundtable, engaging with leading economists and integrating their insights into quarterly data updates, the development of key economic summaries and presentations, event planning, and broader regional planning efforts.
  

• Maintain and expand SCAG’s economic data tools by processing datasets on employment, business activity, housing, and regional trends, and fulfilling internal/external data requests.
  

• Interact with and contribute to data-driven research initiatives in demographics, land use, and regional trends in collaboration with internal teams and external academic partners.
  

• Support the annual Southern California Demographic Workshop and maintain relationships with the California Department of Finance (DOF) and State Data Center (SDC).
  

• Identify opportunities for innovation in data management and research to enhance SCAG’s regional planning capabilities.
  

• Perform o ther duties as assigned .
  

What you'll bring to this role

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 5 years of experience in urban planning and design, project management, or planning regulations and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered.

We’ll be a great match if you also have :

• Experience in GIS, spatial data management, data visualization, or statistical programming (e.g., Python, R, SQL).
  

• Experience in socioeconomic, demographic, and economic impact analysis, including forecasting and regional trends.
  

• Familiarity with big data research, including extraction, transformation, and modeling of large datasets.
  
• Familiarity with SCAG's ecomomic data repository.
  

• Proficiency in research methods, data analysis, and database management to support planning initiatives.
  

• K nowledge of transportation and land use planning programs at the federal, state, and local levels.
  

• Project management capabilities, with the ability to lead or coordinate cross-functional projects and stakeholder engagement.
  

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data for a wide range of audiences .
  

Supplemental Information

Please note, this posting will remain open until April 22, 2025 , with the first application review taking place on April 8, 2025 . Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.

Insurance Coverage
Employees may choose from nine HMO and two PPO health plans administered through CalPERS. SCAG contributes the following amounts towards the monthly health premium: $850 for employee only coverage; $1500 for employee plus one dependent; $1800 for employee plus family. Employees may waive SCAG-sponsored health plans by providing evidence of other health coverage each plan year. Upon meeting eligibility requirements, employee is eligible to receive opt out amount of $200 per month, paid as taxable earnings. Premiums for dental and vision are covered 100% by SCAG. Life insurance in the amount of $50,000 is provided by SCAG. Supplemental life insurance is available at a minimal cost to the employee. Short-term and long-term disability insurance plans are provided by SCAG.

Retirement
Employees become members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Effective January 1, 2013, for new members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the retirement formula is calculated at 2% @ 62 with a Three Year Average Formula. In accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the new member will have a mandatory contribution of 7% of reportable compensation. Employees who are current members of CalPERSor an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six-month break in service between employment with SCAGor in a CalPERS(or reciprocal) agency will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula.

Empower deferred compensation plan is available and all non-management positions receive a 50% match, up to $1,500. Employees do not pay Social Security.

Paid Parental Leave
12 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connectionwith adoption or foster care. Employees become eligible for this benefit after12 months of employment at SCAG.

Holidays
Employees receive 10 designated holidays and 44 hours of Personal Floating Holidays (PFH) per fiscal year, 11 hours for each full quarter worked.

Vacation Accrual
Ten to twenty days per year depending on length of service with SCAG.

0-3 years: 80 hours
4-10 years: 120 hours
11-16 years: 140 hours
17+ years: 160 hours

Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Tax-exempt savings plans are offered to pay for eligible expenses associated with healthcare, dependent care, and parking.

Transit Reimbursement Program
SCAG reimburses up to $230 per month for commute to the office via public transit via bus, rail, or train. Employees must commute a minimum of 8 days per month in order to receive reimbursement for monthly passes.

Flexible Time/Modified Work Week/Telework
Employees may work a modified 9-80 work schedule, with every other Friday off. SCAG offers a flexible work schedule to allow employees some flexibility on daily work hours. SCAG has developed a hybrid workforce program called Work@SCAG to provide three work model options (office, hybrid, and remote) to choose from, based on their position, within the SCAG Region.

Technology Allowance
Employees in hybrid and remote work models will receive a one-time stipend of $300 to be used for remote office setup. In addition, all employees receive a $140 monthly technology allowance to cover phone usage for business use and to offset utilities costs while working remotely.

Other Benefits
Educational assistance up to $5,250 per year is offered for qualified courses after one year of employment. Professional membership reimbursement up to $300 per year for professional associations.

Probationary Period
All non-management employees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of 2080 hours prior to achieving regular employment status.

Closing Date/Time: 4/22/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Southern California Association of Governments

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