Senior Associate Planner

About Access Planning and Nelson ygaardAccess Planning is a strategic transportation planning and advisory practice that helps public agencies deliver complex mobility programs and infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary team of planners, project managers, policy analysts, and engineers brings deep technical expertise in transit and mobility systems, paired with strong capabilities in governance, finance, and policy. We lead work in planning, policy development, governance, decision-making, and program management for major infrastructure projects, transit networks, and transit-oriented communities. Our clients include cities, transportation and transit authorities, airports, and provincial and state governments across Canada and in the United States.
In 2025, Access joined Nelson ygaard and is now part of a 160-person team with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and 12 U.S. cities. For nearly 40 years, Nelson ygaard has led the transportation planning field with our values-driven approach. We've always been guided by the principle of putting people first. We were founded by two women who believed in the benefits of a more egalitarian workplace, where leadership and creativity can blossom at all levels and where diversity is a core strength. What unites us at Nelson ygaard is our steadfast commitment to make the world more just, more sustainable, more connected, and more beautiful.
Access Planning and Nelson ygaard offer a dynamic and self-directed work environment that is fast-paced, collaborative, and fun. This is your opportunity to work with an innovative group of planners and engineers in Canada and the United States, including industry-leading principals and highly talented junior and support staff. Our office culture is built upon diversity, creativity, shared learning, collaboration, and passion for the work we do and the outcomes we seek.
About You
You're passionate about how transportation and public transit can make our cities better and more equitable.
You've been working in the urban and transportation planning field for at least eight years, taking on progressive levels of challenge and leadership.
You've gained experience either in the public or private sector (or both) and can bring insights gained to the work you will do with Access and Nelson ygaard.
You're resourceful, curious, communicative, and enthusiastic. You bring energy and a commitment to your teams and clients to do great work, together.
What You Will DoOur senior transportation planners focus on planning for municipalities, transit and transportation agencies, airports, universities, and private clients, and lead project teams to develop and deliver solutions that address our clients' unique challenges.
The ideal candidate should have a broad range of transportation and urban planning experience and have successfully managed dynamic transportation planning projects and budgets. Depending on your skills and our project needs, responsibilities may include managing, supervising, and supporting several project teams;
keeping project work onschedule and within budget;
mentoring junior transportation planners;
conducting research, data collection, and analysis;
writing and editing technical and public-facing reports;
developing presentations and outreach materials;
and/or leading businessdevelopment efforts and client communications. You will work both independently and as part of a team.
Senior associate candidates should be able to share previous work examples and demonstrate significant expertise in a range of transit and multimodal planning and design topics such as transit service planning, long-range planning, corridor planning, citywide or regionwide planning, transit station area planning, community outreach, and stakeholder coordination.
The ideal candidate will be excited to take on the following opportunities:
Help identify, clarify, and creatively solve transportation problems our clients are addressing
Serve as a project and/or task manager to manage projects and develop deliverables within scope and budget
Outline and prepare successful proposals, reports, and client deliverables
Work productively with clients, project teams, colleagues, and the public
Analyze a wide range of transportation data and manage the completion of technical analyses, feasibility studies, and other transportation reports
Prepare and deliver effective presentations
Participate in office and firmwide activities to ensure that we continue to build on our mission, core values and collaborative culture
Mentor team members and train junior staff
Qualifications And RequirementsAbove all, we are looking for someone who:
Has applicable experience and a passion for sustainable transportation planning
Has experience in Western Canadian and/or West Coast U.S. cities
Is a self-starter, creative problem solver, and team player inviting feedback and guidance and leading work as appropriate
Has proven experience managing projects within scope and on time and on budget
Works successfully with clients, colleagues, project teams, and the public
Understands the connection between transportation and equity and is committed to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion into their work
At a minimum, the candidate should meet the following qualifications:
At least 8 years of responsible experience in transportation planning, engineering, or design
A bachelor's degree in transportation planning, economics, public policy, engineering, or a related field;
a master's degree in one of these fields is preferred. Demonstrated experience or expertise in lieu of precise educational attainment may also meet this requirement.
Experience in transit service planning and/or transit corridor planning
Experience in proposal writing and business development (i.E., winning work);
if you have public agency experience, grant writing and successful RFP development are applicable skills
Excellent written, verbal, and other communication skills, including preparation for and facilitation of meetings and public workshops
The ability to manage projects within scope, on time and on budget
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Some proficiency in GIS preferred but not essential
You will be based in our Vancouver Office and will work closely with Access Planning and Nelson ygaard's senior and junior staff in our offices in Canada and throughout the U.S. You will be expected to work in office at least 3 days per week.
Salary And BenefitsThe annual compensation for this position is industry competitive, depending on qualifications and years of experience, with annual performance-based salary increases and bonuses. The annual salary range for this position is CAD $95,000 - $140,000.
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental benefits, fitness and transit reimbursement, paid time off, paid parental leave, group RRSP, and association dues and professional development.
Access Planning and Nelson ygaard are committed to creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces that are respectful and barrier free. Our work is strengthened by the diversity of our experiences and perspectives.
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