Educational Planner

At JKAE, we believe that lifestyle and great design go hand-in-hand. With three offices in California (Auburn, Truckee and San Jose) and one office in Nevada (Reno), we are strategically grounded in locations that offer our team various levels of projects that challenge the intellect as well as provide opportunity to deliver innovative design and engineering solutions. If you decide to practice the art of Architecture or Engineering with JKAE, you will be joining an award-winning team while simultaneously enjoying the beautiful Sierra Nevada or Bay Area. We are community-oriented and family-focused. If you are looking to join a great firm, work with a staff that is energetic and motivated, and seek excellent benefits, JKAE is the place for you. We would be excited to review your qualifications if you feel you are a match for this position.

Description

We are seeking an Educational Planner to join our architectural team and help shape learning environments that inspire students, educators, and communities. The ideal candidate brings expertise in educational visioning, space programming, and stakeholder engagement, translating educational goals into innovative architectural solutions.

You will collaborate closely with architects, designers, and clients to develop school planning strategies — from early conceptual phases through design development — ensuring that every project supports modern pedagogical practices and community needs.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Visioning & Research

• Lead discovery sessions with educators, administrators, and community members to define educational goals, program needs, and learning models.
• Research current and emerging trends in education, pedagogy, and school design.
• Develop and present planning concepts and reports to internal teams and clients.

Space Programming & Planning

• Prepare detailed educational programs, space lists, and functional diagrams for K–12 and higher education facilities.
• Translate educational specifications into architectural requirements.
• Collaborate with design teams to ensure educational intent is reflected in physical design.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate interactive workshops and design charrettes with diverse user groups.
• Develop presentations and visual materials to communicate design ideas and planning concepts.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships within the education sector.

Project Coordination

• Partner with architects, interior designers, and consultants throughout design and documentation phases.
• Support preparation of educational narratives, reports, and RFP responses.
• Ensure designs comply with local, state, and federal education facility standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Education, Planning, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in educational planning or school design (K–12 and/or higher education)
• Preferred Association for Learning Environments Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP) certification
• Familiarity with learning environment design standards, such as 21st Century Learning, Next Generation Learning Environments, or WELL/LEED principles
• Strong communication and facilitation skills — comfortable engaging educators and community stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and planning tools (Revit or Bluebeam experience a plus)

Preferred Attributes

• Passion for innovative learning environments and community-centered design.
• Experience with bond planning, capacity analysis, and facility assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge educational goals and architectural design outcomes.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary studio environment.

$100,000 - $150,000 Annually

Actual offered salary for this position varies, depending on candidate’s qualification, education, position knowledge, work experience, skills, ability, work location, and internal incumbent compensation for similar roles. We do not anticipate individuals hired into this position will start at or near the top half of the range listed; the decision will be based on each individual case. Salary range listed does not include other compensation elements such as discretionary bonus opportunities, paid time off, medical insurance, and other wage and benefit opportunities.