JOB DESCRIPTION
WHO WE ARE

Michael Baker International is a global leader in Engineering, Architecture and Consulting services dedicated to developing and implementing innovative solutions to the world’s infrastructure, environmental challenges, and governmental. Supported by more than 3,500 employees in 90 offices worldwide, we provide a full continuum of life-cycle engineering consulting, specialized global construction, base operations, Green Infrastructure, security management and intelligence solutions.

The Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) vertical of Michael Baker International partners with federal, state, regional and local governments including broadband and telecommunications agencies and companies, Department of Defense, Airport Corporations, Oil and Gas industry, and natural resource agencies to provide unrivaled expertise in the application of new and emerging technologies to solve their greatest challenges. We seamlessly integrate advanced technology into service delivery, providing clients with a 360-degree view of their assets and program. We enable more informed, faster and more accurate decisions to be made with greater confidence.

Thought leadership, technological innovation, and differentiated service are all synonymous of the Michael Baker International’s CTS brand.

DESCRIPTION – SENIOR PLANNER
Michael Baker International is seeking a qualified Planner to join Michael Baker’s CTS team with a focus on equitable broadband planning. This is an opportunity to work within a dynamic and growing industry and with one of the leading broadband mapping, planning, and program management services firm in the nation. We’ve built a team of people who desire being part of a dynamic unit delivering broadband solutions for federal, state, regional, and local governments through innovative ideas and client advocacy.

Broadband consulting services represents a growing market need across the US. Within the CTS Team, this new position of Senior Planner will be the vital link to ensure our broadband technology solutions are aligned with community goals. Equity in broadband planning at Michael Baker occurs throughout the whole life cycle of project implementation from kick-off to final delivery. Acting as a client advocate and trusted advisor and supported by our expert technical team and world class software solutions, our Planners work with our National Broadband Digital Equity Director and with Broadband Strategy Leads on each project to evaluate client needs both for short term improvement and long-term sustainability of their broadband programs. The Senior Planner will lead and manage a team with several planners.

Role Summary:

Under the direction of the National Broadband Digital Equity Director, this role will be responsible for collaborating with communities, stakeholders, and clients to develop broadband expansion, outreach, and community program solutions. The Senior Planner will work on a variety of tasks across broadband planning projects, including strategic roadmaps, feasibility studies, action plans, and digital equity plans. Such tasks will include research into best practices, data analysis and summarization, development and testing of concepts and performance measures, public outreach and facilitation with stakeholders and community members, review and preparation of funding opportunities and guidelines, and more. Collaborate with project managers and technical team members to performing client briefings, presentations, analyses, and other forms of communication with clients.

This role will serve as a team leader and collaborator to develop innovative and implementable planning recommendations and materials that communicate ideas effectively and clearly enhance economic opportunities, digital equity, and quality of life for communities. Pursue innovative planning and/or technology solutions alongside our team of software developers, GIS, communications, and graphic arts teams that advance Michael Baker’s broadband and overall CTS offerings.

This role involves supervising a planning team and developing broadband subject matter expertise. This role will also have the flexibility to pursue innovative approaches and develop ways to expand our broadband services in ways that fit the successful applicant’s interests and skills. This role and the CTS team are oriented towards innovative solutions for consulting and technology that can further advance the full suite of services and industry sectors offered by Michael Baker International to positively impact communities nationwide.

Essential Functions:

• Manage and lead a planning team focused on planning, funding, and implementation of both broadband infrastructure and digital equity programming.
• Develop client- and community-focused planning recommendations related to broadband infrastructure expansion, policy impacts, public outreach, affordability, and digital equity programs for existing and prospective clients.
• Perform needs assessments, market research and public outreach to gain an understanding of digital access and equity needs in a client’s given geography.
• Engage with clients, stakeholders, and community members to facilitate meetings and lead public engagement activities.
• Assist stakeholders in efforts to identify and overcome barriers to broadband deployment and adoption.
• Provide support for GIS team members in developing data visualization graphics and narratives building from Michael Baker’s Connectivity Platform products, including our Digital Access and Digital Equity dashboards.
• Develop reports for final delivery, including broadband roadmap plans and digital equity reports.
• Assist with project communication, outreach, and educational materials alongside Michael Baker’s communications and graphic arts team
• Assist clients to identify and pursue relevant funding and procurement options, including those related to ARPA, IIJA, and other regional funding mechanisms
• Assist with preparing effective project proposals in cooperation with project managers
• Ability to travel on-site to meet with clients or prospective clients; estimated 20% of work may include travel
• Ability to attend occasional evening meetings as needed to suit client schedules or team schedules that cross time zones

Competencies and Skills:

• Leadership experience: managing or supervising other employees
• Experience in planning or a similar role. Broadband-specific experience is highly encouraged, but similar and relevant skillsets may include community planning, transportation planning, equity planning, and resiliency.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Public speaking skills to conduct stakeholder and public meetings
• Ability to work on multiple projects at a given time and manage deadlines
• Experience working with diverse communities, with a preference for proven equitable practices and solutions
• Interest in the impact of broadband expansion for communities and enthusiasm for solving the digital divide
• Familiarity with current broadband funding streams, including IIJA BEAD and Digital Equity programs, is strongly preferred.
• Ability to understand and follow federal policies and program requirements

Experience Required:

• 8+ years of relevant planning experience for community agencies, planning departments, planning firms, and/or nonprofits
• Strong analytical abilities, solid analytical and trouble-shooting skills with the ability to quickly identify and solve client issues
• Proven experience leading project tasks, meeting deadlines, and creating high-quality deliverables
• Computer and software skills (Microsoft Office, Powerpoint, Excel) to develop reports, guide clients virtually, and develop presentations that are clearly understood and highly professional
• Experience with understanding and achieving compliance with government policies and funding requirements

Experience Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Communications, Public Policy, Business, Geography/GIS, or relevant field
• Historical knowledge of federal, statewide, and regional broadband programs is a plus.
• Preference for experience with developing or utilizing equitable methods and/or rubrics in public outreach, strategy recommendations, or other planning processes
• AICP or similar credentials
• Data visualization and analysis skills are a plus. Some GIS skill, and/or use of Adobe Illustrator or other graphic mapping tools, is beneficial.
• Graphic capabilities, including use of Adobe InDesign, is a plus.

COMPENSATION :

The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $130,0000, depending on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.

LOCATION : REMOTE

MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL EEO STATEMENT

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified, and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

ABOUT US
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 80 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with nearly 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. As a covered federal contractor, Michael Baker International is required to comply with Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, and its implementing guidelines. If the federal vaccine mandate is found to be valid and enforceable, this will include ensuring that all covered employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, except in limited circumstances where there is a legal entitlement to an accommodate. In addition, you may be subject to current or future state or local COVID-19 vaccine mandates that could become a condition of your employment based upon your work location or involvement on a project. Accordingly, Michael Baker encourages you to provide satisfactory proof that you are "fully vaccinated" for COVID-19 so as to ensure compliance with any potential applicable federal, state, or local laws. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.