Campus Planner/ Researcher at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 521308

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Campus Planning

Union: PSU

Categories: Facilities/Grounds, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Campus Planner / Researcher supports the Senior Program Manager for Facilities Planning and Programming in the Division of Campus Planning. They perform a wide range of tasks to support the development of projects assigned Campus Planning that include a wide range of work that helps define the scope and budget for renovations and new construction of campus facilities and infrastructure. The size and scope of projects vary from small lab renovations to defining large building projects in preparation for issuing RFPs in selecting architectural firms to implement buildings and master plans.

Essential Functions

• Produces plans and drawings using computer programs including AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop, other Adobe software, and related products as appropriate for the assigned tasks.


• Utilizes multiple media sources to develop images and reports, including individual plans and multipage reports with data, photographs, and text in a publishing format such as In-Design.


• Utilizes and develops data organized to produce understanding of programs of space, staffing, costs, master plans, landscape and site development and infrastructure. Gathers information needed to inform project development from databases, internet sources, and peer institutions.


• Promotes and assures continuous improvement; establishes and maintains productive relationships with a full range of personnel, including professional and non-professional staff, researchers, instructors, and students, to demonstrate a strong commitment to customer service and respect for a diverse campus community.


• Gathers and interprets program needs from campus stakeholders and translates needs into facilities space and related technical factors.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.


• May direct the work of UMass Amherst student assistants as assigned by the Senior Program Manager


• May operate a vehicle for the purpose of transporting to meetings, sites, transporting others also performing work on the same projects and/or materials to project site.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree -OR- an Associate's Degree and 4 years' experience.


• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to establish and ability to maintain relationships with customers. Ability to foster and maintain harmonious relationships with others.


• Ability to work independently and manage multiple, complex tasks at once with minimal supervision.


• Strong analytical and reasoning skills.


• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical writing skills.


• High level of skill in using computer programs for 2-D and 3-D design and renderings.


• Ability to be an effective part of a cohesive team and work in groups to provide selected input as part of a larger project.


• Ability to document existing building conditions through measuring, photographing and use of other tools to produce accurate documents.


• Knowledge of building systems and how building systems support and are integrated with space and construction factors.


• Strong working knowledge of software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat.


• Ability to read and interpret architectural plans, specifications, electronic floor plan drawings.


• Demonstrated ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instruction and to organize work efforts.


• Driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Knowledge and facility with the Microsoft software suite, Adobe Suite, and high level of skill with 3D software such as Revit, Autodesk CAD applications.


• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working on a university campus.


• Prior experience with science and engineering lab facilities planning and criteria.


• Ability to lead and direct the work of student interns.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Ability to stand, bend, climb, drive, reach, sit, twist, and perform repetitive movements.

Ability to perform existing building and site assessments through walking.

Ability to stand and access parts of buildings that require climbing stairs and ladders.

Manual dexterity for measuring existing conditions of buildings and sites.

Additional Details

Works under the general direction of the Senior Program Manager for Facilities Planning and Programming.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

In addition to the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Oct 30 2023 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close:

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