What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planner/Planning Specialist position at Lee-Russell Council of Governments?
Join Our Team at LRCOG — Planner / Planning & Economic Development Specialist
The Lee-Russell Council of Governments is looking for a talented planner to join our small but impactful team. We are accepting applications for two positions — a Regional Planner and a Planning & Economic Development Specialist — and will make our hiring decision based on the strength of the candidate pool. If you're qualified for either role, we want to hear from you.
Who We Are
LRCOG is a regional planning and development commission serving Lee and Russell Counties in Alabama. We support the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization and provide planning and technical assistance to our member governments. Working here means working at both the regional and local scale on projects that genuinely shape communities — transportation networks, land use patterns, economic development, hazard mitigation, and more.
We are a small organization, and we like it that way. That means you'll have real ownership of your work, direct relationships with local officials and partner agencies, and the opportunity to grow in directions that interest you.
The Work
Depending on the position, your day-to-day work will involve some combination of the following:
- Managing transportation planning and programming for the Auburn-Opelika MPO, including the Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Program, and Unified Planning Work Program
- Coordinating and preparing materials for MPO, RPO, and other committee meetings, including agendas, resolutions, presentations, and meeting minutes
- Collecting, analyzing, and presenting regional data using GIS and other analytical tools
- Monitoring land use and transportation system changes and assessing their interactions
- Administering federal, state, and local grants and contracts
- Writing technical plans, reports, and policy documents
- Providing technical assistance to member governments
- Representing LRCOG before local, state, and federal stakeholders
Who We're Looking For
Credentials matter, but so does curiosity. Our ideal candidate is someone who thinks carefully about how land use and transportation shape each other, communicates clearly in writing and in person, and is energized by the challenge of turning complex data into actionable policy.
Because we work extensively with consultants on technical projects, we're especially interested in someone who is comfortable developing and managing projects, directing consultant work, and translating technical findings into policy recommendations. You don't need to be the one running every model — but you should understand what the models are telling you and know how to put that knowledge to work.
We are particularly excited about candidates with interest or experience in:
- Land use forecasting and scenario planning
- Land use conflict identification (LUCIS methodology)
- Geodesign and data-driven planning frameworks
- Using data analytics in transportation system analysis
These aren't requirements — they're signals that you're the kind of thinker we want on our team.
Qualifications
Regional Planner — Requires a bachelor's degree in transportation planning, city/regional planning, or a related field (geography, GIS, public policy, civil engineering, etc.) with 4 years of professional planning experience. A master's degree in planning or transportation may substitute for 2 years of experience. Preferred: AICP or PTP certification; proficiency with TransCAD or similar modeling software.
Planning & Economic Development Specialist — Requires a bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies, public administration, economics, business administration, or a related field, with at least 2 years of related work experience.
We recognize that the right person may not check every box. If you're earlier in your career but bring strong analytical instincts, genuine curiosity about land use and transportation, and a desire to grow into this work, we'd still like to hear from you.
Both positions require a valid driver's license. Occasional evening meetings and overnight travel are part of the job.
Why Opelika?
LRCOG's office is located at 2207 Gateway Dr, Opelika, AL. The Auburn-Opelika area offers a genuinely high quality of life — a vibrant community anchored by Auburn University, with excellent schools, parks, and amenities. Atlanta is 90 minutes away, the Gulf Coast beaches about 3.5 hours. It's a place people tend to stay once they arrive.
Benefits & Schedule
Full-time, Monday–Friday with some flexibility in schedule and opportunity for remote work one day a week. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan.