PROPOSAL MANAGER (full-time)

Location: San Antonio (preferred)

Able City is a firm that integrates architecture, planning, economic development, and community engagement to promote virtuous cycles in the built environment. We commit to an inclusive design process that leads not only to better results, but to the kinds of urban space people feel proud to make their own. 

We have a passionate office culture centered around our company’s value proposition to make cities great places for everyone. We are looking for an enthusiastic creative to lead our RFP process. The Proposal Manager is responsible for overseeing the RFP lifecycle, making a winning case for Able City’s shared value initiative with clients across Texas and New Mexico.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead all activities involved in the preparation of responses to Requests for Proposals, including writing both original and technical content, qualifications packages, and forms 
• Track and update our CRM suite; monitor various websites for RFQs and RFPs 
• Customize and maintain resumes, project descriptions, and other marketing collateral needed in proposals 
• Edit and proofread firm documents for grammar and clarity
• Lead the preparation of presentations for interviews and client meetings
• Manage and update Adobe InDesign templates as needed
• Evaluate and monitor campaign performance on an ongoing basis by analyzing key metrics and creating reports
• Coordinate relationships with sub-consultants to ensure high-quality and timely execution of proposals and business development
• Represent the company at all times with pride for the firm’s unique value proposition
• Lead pre-submittal meetings as necessary 

SKILL SET 

• Experience in creative writing across various channels – proposals, publications, social media, websites 
• Detail-oriented with excellent writing, grammar, proofreading, and note-taking skills
• Proficiency with Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Gifted graphic intuition  
• Fluency in branding identity; ability to apply Able City’s brand on submittals consistently and cohesively
• Experience in the A/E/C industry is highly preferred
• Ability to represent the company with respect and with regard to the contributions they are making to the industry.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to connect with others and forge strong relationships; comfortable working with a broad range of people 
• Ability to successfully meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities; comfortable with performing several tasks concurrently

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, marketing, communications, or other relevant field, architecture, planning, public policy
• Minimum 3 years of similar or transferable work experience

APPLICATIONS

• Resume, cover letter, short essay addressing the question ‘What about Able City’s shared value initiative resonates with your experience to-date, and/or where you would like to take your career?’

Contact information 

Elizabeth O’Toole  |  Elizabeth@able.city  |  www.able.city

Senior Planner / Urban Designer

El Paso or San Antonio, TX (preferred)

Able City is a firm that integrates architecture, planning, economic development, and community engagement to enable cities to respond effectively to their challenges and opportunities.

Able City is contributing to the equitable evolution of cities by helping citizens define quality of life and responding to these community needs through our proven methodologies, planning, and design work.  We have a passionate office culture centered around our company’s value proposition to make cities great places for everyone.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, skilled, and creative professional planner / urban designer that strengthens our culture and will be a lead contributor in our planning and urban design projects that include some high profile catalytic projects.. As senior personnel, this person will focus and manage projects on land use regulation, housing initiatives, mobility and corridor plans, and comprehensive and master plans that strengthen communities.

Functions

• Lead and Manage projects dealing with comprehensive plans, land use studies, neighborhood master plans, corridor plans, and other regulating plans.

• Thorough knowledge of GIS software and its application for plans mentioned above.

• Develops outlines for review for plans mentioned above.

• Serves as primary client liaison and manages the project team to design, program, facilitate, and manage projects and ensure final deliverables.

• Leads and Prepares project documents, reports, technical plans, and illustrations.

• Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, physical, social & economic issues.

• Understands and can be lead coordinator for transportation plans, studies and analyses.

• Works in regional program areas relating to natural/water resources planning, community development, hazard mitigation, coastal zone management and others similar related projects.

• Presents reports and other findings to planning and zoning boards and commissions, and elected officials.

• Attends, leads, and facilitates evening and weekend meetings as necessary.

• Supervises more junior planners within the organization.

• Verify that projects and policies are in compliance with state, county, and local code, ordinances, and regulations.

• Write ordinances and regulations relating to zoning, subdivision, and other development regulations.

• Assist in reviewing development proposals (RFPs/RFQs) and provide necessary information to complete proposals.

• Assist in the authoring of in-house planning assets such as: model libraries, graphic templates and standards, presentations, policy and ordinance libraries.

Knowledge Base

• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning.

• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, form-based codes, historic preservation or economic development.

• Demographics and economics data research in support of development activities such as market studies.

• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.

• Knowledge and experience in construction processes.

• Knowledge of effective writing techniques.

• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Google Suite, Internet applications econometric or transportation modeling, and database management.

• GIS programs and applications.

• Modeling and illustration software applications such as AutoCAD, Lumion, Twinmotion, SketchUp, Adobe Suite.

Typical Skills 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects.

• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers.

• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems.

• Knowledge of urban design processes and principles.

• Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops.

• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.

• Ability to provide effective supervision and staff management.

• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.

• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities.

Preferred qualities

• Passionate about affecting change at the local level; committed to empowering citizens — especially those who have been historically marginalized by the planning process — to steer and shape their city’s future.

• Ability to work with a diverse team.

• Detail-oriented and technical, yet experienced enough to see the big picture.

• Flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing project requirements and deadlines.

• Confident facilitating in-person and virtual public participation activities.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in planning-related fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, or public policy..  Master’s in planning-related fields preferred.

• At least 6 years of experience.

• Experience with land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, and economic development.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Experience with Community Engagement and Public Participation skills, processes, and techniques.

• Out of town travel is sometimes required and attending meetings in the evenings and weekends will be required.

• AICP certification preferred.

• CNU Accreditation preferred.

Salary Range

Starting at $78K and can be adjusted for experience plus 100 % contributions to health insurance plan and access to 401k plan

Planner Level II

Location

El Paso, San Antonio, Laredo, or McAllen, TX (Remote Work May Be Considered)

Description

Planner Level II should possess expertise in one or more planning specialties, including urban design, GIS, economic development, community engagement, comprehensive planning, and/or environmental planning. They can expect challenging assignments and will be afforded the opportunity to work on both public and private projects, gaining experience on both sides of the development process. Although they will work closely with senior planners and supervisors, planners at this level can expect a certain degree of autonomy.

Responsibilities

As a Planner Level II, you will be asked to:

• Contribute to Comprehensive Plans, land development projects, long-term planning, and economic development strategies. 

• Independently apply advanced planning concepts and designs.
• Assist in the authoring of in-house planning assets such as: model libraries, graphic templates and standards, presentations, policy and ordinance libraries.
• Research and assist in writing technical reports.
• Model and design urban design graphics and renderings. 
• Illustrate plans and 3D visuals for presentations and reports.
• Participate and/or facilitate community meetings, design charrettes; start and sustain community engagement from a place of learning and listening.
• Create customized maps using GIS.
• Convert GIS maps for presentations and reports (includes graphic post-processing on Adobe suite).

 Private sector-related responsibilities:

• Assist in reviewing development proposals and site plans for compliance, rezonings, ordinance amendments, special use permits, and more.
• Prepare reports on development proposals; research and collect the necessary statistical data to produce analysis and maps on topics like land use and occupancy rates.
• Conduct demographics and economics data research in support of development activities.
• Review development applications, including but not limited to: permits, site plans, plats, zoning applications, and other entitlement related items.
• Assist in writing ordinances and regulations relating to development standards and procedures.
• Assess community land use conditions and assist in recommending solutions.
• Verify that projects and policies are in compliance with state, county, and local code, ordinances, and regulations.

 Public sector-related responsibilities:

• Assist in all activities related to comprehensive plans, neighborhood and corridor plans, land development code assessments, and land use assessments.
• Assist with presentations and other visuals to communicate planning-related information to the public and stakeholders. 
• Assist in community engagement activities — sometimes held on evenings and weekends.
• Prepare and assist in delivering presentations to government boards.

Skills

• Verbal and interpersonal skills to communicate rules and procedures clearly.
• Mastery of graphic software programs such as Sketch Up, Photoshop, or other industry-recognized software.
• Proficiency in GIS software and concepts.
• Familiarity with land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development.
• Creative problem-solving skills; able to synthesize relevant information to respond to citizen inquiries and concerns.
• Graphic design skills and ability to render site plans.

 Preferred qualities

• Passionate about affecting change at the local level; committed to empowering citizens — especially those who have been historically marginalized by the planning process — to steer and shape their city’s future.
• Ability to work with a diverse team.
• Detail-oriented and technical, yet experienced enough to see the big picture.
• Flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing project requirements and deadlines.
• Confidence in facilitating in-person and virtual public participation activities.

 Requirements

• Bachelors in planning-related fields.
• Applicants with Bachelors: at least 3 years planning experience. 
• Applicants with Masters: at least 2 years of experience.
• Trained in and familiar with land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Statistical skills and mastery of GIS.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and other presentation graphic software.
• Travel is sometimes required.

CNU and AICP accreditation are not required but preferred.

 Salary Range

$55,000-$65,000, plus benefits

 Contact information

Mario A. Pena  |  mario@able.city  |  www.able.city

Student Internship Program

Able City is committed to creating a collaborative work environment with opportunities for mentorship and training. We are eager to help support the next generation of leaders in the architecture and planning fields. Our Internship Program offers full-time and part-time opportunities during the summer or during the school year.

To apply please fill out the form located next to this listing. See below the dates and deadlines: 

Summer Internship Program

Application deadline: April 15th

School Year Internship Program

Fall Application Deadline: July 30th

Spring Application Deadline: October 30th

Able City is a firm that integrates architecture, planning, economic development, and community engagement to enable cities to respond effectively to their challenges and opportunities.

Able City is contributing to the equitable evolution of cities by helping citizens define quality of life and responding to these community needs through our proven methodologies, planning, and design work. We have a passionate office culture centered around our company’s value proposition to make cities great places for everyone.

In order to achieve our shared value proposition in a sustainable manner, we are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Administrative Coordinator to strengthen our award-winning team and its culture, and to be instrumental in keeping the firm’s business office processes and HR development on track and improving.

Description

HR Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Chief Officer in charge of  HR and Business Administration. They are primarily responsible for implementing the Officer’s strategies and processes related to our employee development programs, payroll and benefits packages, and  Able City’s Commitments, as well as general office management of our headquarters in San Antonio.

Responsibilities

HR:

• Coordinate employee training, onboarding, and feedback meetings and surveys

• Collect and distribute New Employee enrollment forms

• Implement adjustments to employee compensation and communicate to accounting firm

• Assist with 401K reporting and adjustments

Business:

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and financial statements

• Assist in the electronic filing of sensitive financial information

• Assist in the renewal processes for insurance policies

• Deposits of payments

• Track and administer accounts payable

• Assist in the execution of financial reporting (Quarterly Reports, Yearly Reports)

• Tracking and coordinating leases (printer, office space)

• American Express account, payment review, budgeting

• Property Rendition Forms per county

• Generating and presenting financial reports to partners

• Generating and transmitting financial reports to marketing team

• Ensure timely communication with accounting firm

Office Management:

• Keep track of and purchase supplies for local office

• Process correspondence

Requirements

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field

• 5+ years proven accounting experience, ideally with a professional services company

• Strong understanding of banking processes

• Daily presence at our Downtown San Antonio office

Salary Range and Benefits

DoQ

plus 100 % contribution to health insurance plan and access to 401k plan