Strategic Planning Specialist Position Available In Lauderdale, Mississippi

SR1

Job Description Title:

Community Planner Reports to: Chief Operation Officer /

Executive Leadership Location:

Onsite – Based in Mississippi with statewide community travel

Employment Type:

Full-Time, Exempt Position Summary SR1 is seeking a Community Planner to lead both the planning and development of physical infrastructure (schools, community learning centers, agricultural spaces) and the design and coordination of community engagement initiatives . This hybrid leadership role combines elements of a traditional Director of Facilities Planning and Construction with a grassroots Community Development Strategist. The Community Planner will oversee capital project planning, support facility expansion for SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA), and lead inclusive, place-based planning that advances SR1’s mission to increase educational access, preventive health, and economic mobility across underserved regions. Key Responsibilities Facilities Planning & Construction Oversight Lead master planning, design development, and construction management for new

SR1 CPSA

buildings, C.O.O.L. Zone facilities, learning farms, and community infrastructure. Serve as primary liaison to architectural firms, engineers, and contractors from concept to occupancy. Ensure all projects meet programmatic needs, safety codes, accessibility requirements, and are built on time and within budget. Prepare and present capital improvement plans, cost estimates, and feasibility studies for leadership review. Community-Centered Planning & Engagement Develop community planning events (forums, walk-throughs, design charrettes, planning workshops) to gather input from families, youth, elders, and partners. Collaborate with local leaders to co-create shared-use spaces that serve educational, cultural, and wellness goals. Incorporate data and community feedback into all project scopes and designs. Strategic Planning & Development Align facilities planning with SR1’s multi-year strategic vision for educational access and community transformation. Conduct demographic, geographic, and needs-based analyses to identify optimal locations and uses for future SR1 developments. Build planning proposals and business cases for federal/state grants, philanthropic support, and private partnerships. Project & Team Management Coordinate multiple concurrent capital and community development projects. Supervise consultants, site managers, and planning fellows or interns. Lead internal cross-departmental planning meetings to integrate programming needs into physical design. Environmental, Agricultural, and Design Integration Incorporate sustainable design, green infrastructure, and agricultural innovation into all facility and community site planning. Collaborate with SR1 Agriculture, Health, and Education teams to support integrated learning environments. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in facilities or capital project planning, construction oversight, or community development. Experience managing complex multi-stakeholder projects involving design, public input, and community impact. Excellent organizational, communication, and facilitation skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Auto

CAD, GIS

tools, and/or digital project management platforms. Preferred Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Community Development, or similar. Experience with rural community planning or public school facilities development. Knowledge of planning practices that center historically underserved or culturally diverse communities. Experience with USDA, EDA, Promise Neighborhoods, or state/federal construction funding processes. Working Conditions and Travel Regular travel within Mississippi, especially to SR1 sites in Forest, Morton, Lake, Canton, and surrounding rural regions. Field visits to construction sites and community venues. Flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends for public engagement events. Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience. Health, dental, and vision insurance. Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Professional development support. Opportunity to design transformational spaces and shape the future of education and community wellness in Mississippi.