Fathom Studio is looking to add a talented Junior Planner to our Planning Division.
Fathom Studio is an interdisciplinary design firm dedicated to transforming the built environment into meaningful, human-centred spaces. Established in 1996, we have grown into a collective of 48 professionals specializing in planning, architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, branding, and wayfinding.
Fathom’s approach is rooted in the belief that great public projects are built through collaboration across disciplines, across scales, and with the communities they serve. As Atlantic Canada’s only fully interdisciplinary design studio, we bring together architecture, planning, landscape architecture, and engagement under one roof. This structure allows us to begin each project not with isolated tasks, but with integrated thinking.
As a Junior Planner, you will work closely with intermediate and senior team members across a wide variety of project scales. Your responsibilities will include:
Research & Analysis: Conduct comprehensive baseline research, demographic analysis, and policy reviews. Complete policy analysis and writing describing planning and city building objectives on our projects.
Spatial & Graphic Design: Utilize GIS, CAD, and graphic tools for mapping, site inventory, and initial site layout concepts.
Policy & Regulation: Interpret and apply Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use Bylaws, Subdivision Bylaws, and Provincial Planning Legislation.
Community Engagement: Assist with stakeholder interviews and prepare engaging materials / presentations for public workshops and client meetings.
Reporting: Produce high-quality, clear written and graphic reports for public and private sector clients.
Collaboration: Coordinate your tasks with internal multidisciplinary teams and external professional consultants.
You are a detail-oriented, visually minded professional who thrives in a collaborative team and is eager to bridge the gap between technical planning policy and creative community design.
Strong Communicator: Exceptional written, spoken, and visual communication skills, with the ability to convey both creative visions and technical planning concepts.
Design-Minded: Sensitive to client visualization, with the graphic skills and tools necessary to help colleagues and clients easily understand design proposals..
Community-Centric: Able to navigate, filter, and respect diverse public and stakeholder opinions during engagement processes..
Detail & Context Aware: Possess a broad curiosity about history, culture, and nature, while remaining mindful of project budgets, timelines, and implementation realities.
Resourceful: Adept at sourcing and analyzing the latest data and trends from national, provincial, and municipal databases.
This full-time position has the salary range of $50,000 to $65,000.
The position requires a university degree in urban or regional planning. Applicants shall have candidate membership in the Canadian Institute of Planning (CIP), or a pathway to pursue candidacy.
As this is an entry level position no years of experience in urban or regional planning are required, but they would be considered an asset.
GIS & Spatial Analysis: Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro or QGIS for spatial data analysis, land-use mapping, and site inventory work.
Design & Visualization: Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite (primarily InDesign for report layout and proposals, alongside Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic assets).
Drafting & Modeling: Working knowledge of AutoCAD for interpreting site plans, or familiarity with 3D modeling tools like SketchUp is considered a strong asset
Because we believe design is better when it’s collaborative, curious, and accountable.
At Fathom Studio, you’ll work in an environment where ideas are shared openly, play and experimentation are encouraged, and every team member takes ownership of their work. We value clear communication, strong relationships, and real collaboration across disciplines, across experience levels, and with our clients.
We design with intention, pushing innovation to create meaningful, lasting impact. We stay curious, ask better questions, and challenge assumptions to shape spaces that matter.
If you’re driven by purpose, energized by teamwork, and excited to grow while contributing to work that reflects real values, Fathom is a place to do your best work.
Health benefits – Group insurance including support for specialists, telemedicine, and a health spending account
Professional development – Ongoing training and learning opportunities
Summer hours – Reduced working hours during summer months
Collaborative culture – Real teamwork, access to mentors
Project variety – Residential, Institutional, And Cultural projects of all scales
Prime location – In the heart of downtown Dartmouth
Vibrant office life – Social and sports activities covered by Fathom
To learn more about our studio visit https://fathomstudio.ca
As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce, Fathom Studio recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire talented individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability, and actively foster inclusion in all forms.
Fathom Studio welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Please submit a PDF that includes a cover letter, resume and portfolio to [email protected]. In the email’s subject line, please write your name and the job title (Junior Planner).
We thank all candidates for their interest. Only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
