What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner position at KZF Design Inc?
Planner
Location: Cincinnati, OH 45202
Department: Planning
Employment Type: Full-Time
KZF Design is a multidisciplinary architecture, engineering, and planning firm proudly recognized as one of Cincinnati’s Top Workplaces since 2021. We are passionate about creating spaces that serve, inspire, and strengthen communities. Join a team where your voice matters and your work make a difference.
POSITION OVERVIEWWe are seeking a Planner to join our planning team in Cincinnati, Ohio. This role is suited for someone early in their career who is interested in contributing to planning projects within a collaborative, multidisciplinary A/E environment.
The Planner will work on a range of projects focused on community planning, mobility and infrastructure planning, corridor studies, scenario planning, site planning, and recreation planning. Working alongside other planners, engineers, architects, and landscape architects, this position is actively involved in both long-range planning efforts and site-specific studies.
This role involves researching and data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and preparing reports, maps, and graphics that translate ideas into clear, visually compelling, and implementable plans for our public- and private-sector clients.
- Serve as the lead technical planner on assigned projects, providing direction, coordination, and quality assurance for planning deliverables
- Provide production leadership for military planning and local government projects, including GIS analysis, map creation, report development, graphics, boards, stakeholder engagement materials, and online engagement tools
- Work with project teams and Project Managers to meet KZF goals, objectives, and schedules
- Support Discipline Directors as needed
- Maintain and advance technical expertise in planning, GIS, and related tools
- Develop planning studies and reports supporting new or updated plans, programs, and regulations
- Advise planning officials and clients on feasibility, cost‑effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and alternatives
- Conduct field investigations, site visits, surveys, studies, and data analysis
- Generate maps, graphics, and data visualization for reports and presentations
- Communicate with community groups, government agencies, developers, military personnel, and elected officials
- Attend project team meetings, public meetings, and travel to military installations as required
- Manage parallel assignments efficiently and with high attention to detail
- Proactive, assertive problem solver with strong written/oral communication skills
- Experience producing planning documents at an A/E consulting firm
- Advanced proficiency in ESRI ArcGIS Pro/Online, map production, and data visualization
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
- Proficiency in AutoCAD® and SketchUp
- Experience developing reports, graphics, boards, and public‑facing materials
- Experience in online and stakeholder engagement
- Comfortable traveling to military bases and conducting field investigations
- Comfortable working on a broad range of project types simultaneously
- Ability to shift quickly between different planning disciplines and client types
- Experience on large or complex planning projects preferred
- Graphic design skills a plus
- Project management experience a plus (particularly for local government projects)
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment
- Opportunities for professional growth and leadership
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Commitment to design excellence and community impact
- Medical & Dental Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Professional Development Support
- Collaborative, Inclusive Work Culture
- Recognition as one of Cincinnati’s Top 100 Places to Work since 2021
To Apply:
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) to www.kzf.com/careers
KZF Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.