Role Overview:

The SGA Design Studio ( www.s-ga.com) is seeking an entry-level project planner with up to one year of professional experience in community planning. This role sits at the intersection of design, planning, communication, and community engagement. We are looking for someone who thrives on shaping ideas into meaningful places and guiding diverse groups toward shared visions. SGA fosters a collaborative, learning-focused studio culture that encourages innovation, curiosity, and leadership across all aspects of our practice. Successful applicants demonstrate strong leadership potential, technical rigor, and a genuine enthusiasm for contributing to a multidisciplinary design team.

Company Overview:

Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates, Inc., (SGA) is a multi-disciplinary collaborative design studio focused on the revitalization of established communities and the creative development of new places. Our firm is a national leader in urban and community revitalization specializing in urban and brownfields redevelopment planning with projects located across the U.S. SGA’s projects are diverse, ranging from major urban centers, including the Cities of Philadelphia, Norfolk, Detroit, Pittsburgh and New York, to smaller cities and towns located throughout the East Coast, Midwest, and Mountain regions. 

Employment location(s):

• Norfolk, VA (Hampton Roads Region)

Envisioning your experience at SGA:

•  Dive into master planning and design projects, helping shape big ideas into real, impactful places.
• Become a go‑to technical problem‑solver, keeping projects moving smoothly and creatively.
• Craft compelling presentations, polished reports, and visually engaging master plans that tell a story.
• Bring projects to life through dynamic client presentations and confident public speaking.
• Lead energizing public workshops, community meetings, and design charrettes that spark collaboration.
• Champion project success by supporting clients and teams with timely, high‑quality, and thoughtful work.
• Create standout materials for neighborhood planning and civic design projects that inspire community pride.
• Build meaningful relationships with nonprofits, community groups, government partners, and private clients.
• Guide conversations with clients, stakeholders, and the public to help shape shared visions.
• Contribute to creative communication strategies, including digital and social media campaigns that amplify project stories.
• Travel to project sites and engagement events to connect directly with communities.
• Demonstrate exceptional writing, presenting, and public speaking.
• Use your design and technical toolkit, such as ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, Sketchup, and Microsoft 365, to produce beautiful, effective work.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in City or Regional Planning.
• Master’s degree (preferred) in City or Regional Planning.
• It is desirable, but not necessary, for candidates to also hold a degree(s) in Communications, environmental sciences, horticulture, sustainability, landscape architecture, urban design, or architecture.
• It is preferred candidates, but not required, to have one of the following:
• One (1) to three (3) internships, totaling 3 to 9 months of relevant work experience, or
• One year of professional, post‑graduation employment experience such as:
• Local, state, or federal government
• Non‑governmental or non‑profit organizations (NGOs/NPOs)
• Professional design or planning firm
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with government clients, developers, non-profit clients, and community groups.
• Capability to function independently as well as demonstrate initiative during SGA design team collaboration in multiple offices.
• Proficiency in time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Open, clear, and honest communicator.
• Proactive, initiating, and positive, can-do attitude.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting for extended length of time
• Fluency in public speaking in the English Language
• Fieldwork/ability to travel with a valid driver’s license
• Listening
• Typing and handwriting
• Hand drawing
• Occasional lifting of boxes up to 50lbs

Compensation + Benefits:

The base salary range for the Entry Level Project Planner role is $60,000 – $68,000 and may be adjusted within that range based on experience. SGA offers a competitive benefits package and is part of a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) with Insperity offering an extensive suite of benefits which include but is not limited to the following:

• 15 days of PTO annually and 8 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (multiple plan options with HSA/FSA eligibility).
• 100% Employer paid short-term and long-term disability, life, and accidental death coverage.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Employee Assistance (EAP) and Wellness Programs.
• Simple IRA retirement program with Employer Match.
• Professional Licensing examination fees reimbursements.
• Additional benefits are outlined in the employee handbook.

Our standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 9am to 6pm, with one (1) hour for lunch. We understand that life has many demands and are open to discussing schedule flexibility, including hybrid work as needed.

Ready to Join?

Please contact SGA at careers@s-ga.com. Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you would be a good fit for SGA Studio. Please include the following:

• Letter of interest and resume.
• Portfolio, samples of work, writing samples, research papers and/or reports.
• Tell us about a landscape or a piece of art that inspires you.
• What was a great personal or professional “win” you had recently?

Please indicate the position (Entry Level Project Planner) and the office location (NFK) you are applying for in the subject line of your email. Phone inquiries are not accepted.

Stromberg Garrigan & Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.