Planner/Urban Designer Job Opening
We are seeking a dynamic community planner/urban designer ready to work on a wide variety of projects, including municipal comprehensive plans, neighborhood plans, corridor studies, active transportation plans and zoning ordinances. This position would be responsible for plan graphics, report layout, charrette materials, maps, presentations, etc. The ideal candidate can independently complete design workflows from conceptualization to actualization and should exhibit a strong aptitude for building client relations and delivering quality products.
Meet Us
Pashek + MTR is an award-winning planning and design firm committed to a holistic, sustainable practice. Our work spans the public and private sectors, including community planning and design for municipal,
non-for-profit and private clients. We are a highly collaborative group of skilled planners, landscape architects, and designers located in a walkable and bikeable urban neighborhood.
Studio Culture and Equity
The position will entail working collaboratively within our team as well as with clients, project stakeholders, and other consultants. The ideal candidate should share our values and want to learn and grow in responsibility within our tight-knit firm. Visit www.pashekmtr.com to learn more about us. We emphasize and value diversity & inclusion in all we do https://pashekmtr.com/pashekmtr-diversity-inclusion-statement/.
Desired Skill Set
- Strong detail orientation, organization, ability to move multiple projects forward concurrently
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Learner mentality, interest in researching best practices and constantly learning from others
- Ability to apply principles of equity and sustainability in all forms of planning
- Understanding of graphic design principles-typographic, cartographic, conceptual, etc.
- Knowledge of urban design concepts
- Ability to present complex information clearly with infographics and graphic design
- Fluency in Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
- Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro
- Comfort with research involving quantitative and qualitative data
- Strong analytical skills
- Facilitation skills–small & large groups, non-traditional community outreach, remote & in-person formats
- Willingness/desire to develop project management skills
- Valid Driver’s License
What We Offer
We offer you the opportunity to work with a creative group of colleagues in a flexible, collaborative, casual work environment. You will have the opportunity to grow within the firm based on your abilities to advance your skills and manage projects. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental & vision insurance, and matching 401k.
How to Apply
Please email your resume, portfolio, references, and writing samples in a combined pdf to Jenni Easton at
jeaston@pashekmtr.com.
Jim Pashek Co-writes Groundbreaking Community Planning Book
After successfully introducing and growing Implementable Comprehensive Planning in Pennsylvania, we are excited to announce that Denny Puko and Jim Pashek are releasing a guide to their groundbreaking approach!
“Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan” is a 127-page book that describes the five keys to creating an Implementable Plan . Additionally, it includes case studies and successful examples of the approach in PA communities. According to Pashek, Off the Shelf and Into Action is “the culmination to date of our thoughts as we rolled up our sleeves and engaged in the sometimes messy work of helping communities address their concerns.”
The book will be available in paperback and is priced at $30, plus shipping and handling. Proceeds from the book sales will be donated to the APA Pennsylvania Chapter for scholarships and training. “We didn’t write the book to make money,” said Puko. “We wrote it to provoke new and different thinking about planning.”
Purchase the book at https://www.offtheshelfandintoaction.com/ .
John is inducted into Freedom Area Hall of Fame
Recently John was inducted into Freedom Area Hall of Fame Class of 2018 at its 11th Annual Hall of Fame banquet. The Foundation administers the Hall of Fame to recognize the achievements of successful and prominent alumni of the Freedom Area School District. The Foundation also sponsors activities and events throughout the year, and funds both student Scholarships and Teacher Grants.
The following offers some little-known facts about John and what he has done in his community.
A 1985 graduate of Freedom Area High School, John is the son of John and Lorraine Buerkle and grew up on North Gross Street in Conway. Early on, John was inspired by Mr. Guzzo and his drafting class. During high school, John attended the Beaver County Vocational Technical School where he placed second in the Pennsylvania Vocational Industrial Clubs of America drafting and design competition as a senior. Although vo-tech was not a traditional path to college, John was encouraged by his parents and his early mentor and vo-tech teacher Mr. Fred Fiumara to attend a four-year college. After graduation, John was offered a position with Ryan Homes, Inc. However, his mom convinced him that a four-year degree would most likely serve him better. Like any good son, John followed his mom’s advice and he’s thankful he did.
John began his college career at Penn State Beaver. After a successful first year, he transferred to University Park, but not for his first choice of major, architecture, but rather for his second choice: landscape architecture. At the time, John had no idea what the profession entailed. However, because it had ‘architecture’ in its title, he assumed he would be interested. He was more than interested, and it has become a passion. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture from Penn State in four years, a tasked deemed impossible for a transfer student.
Between his junior and senior year at Penn State, John was fortunate to secure a paid internship with Jim Pashek, who had started Pashek Associates. After graduating in 1989, Jim offered John an entry-level position. John accepted, joining Jim and Nancy Lonnett Roman.
In 1993, John married Jean Bonaparte, whom he dated early in high school. The two went
separate ways in college but fell in love when they returned home and together raised three wonderful children: Zach, Hannah, and Steven. In 1994, John became a Registered Landscape Architect. John also holds certificates as a planner from the American Institute of Certified Planners and Urban Power to Prosper/Streetwise MBA program from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Business School.
Over the years, Pashek Associates grew from a staff of three working out of Jim’s home to a 14-person firm with an office on Pittsburgh’s Northside. In 1997, Jim invited John and Nancy Lonnett to join him as partners. Jim, Nancy, and John established the endowed Pashek, Lonnett, Buerkle Scholarship in Landscape Architecture at Penn State to recognize graduate and undergraduate students majoring in Landscape Architecture with an interest in environmental issues and who have a demonstrated financial need.
John is indebted to his friend and mentor Jim Pashek for taking him under his wing and
mentoring him to continue the firm’s legacy and to his friend and colleague Nancy Lonnett
Roman with whom he’s had the pleasure of working with over the years. It isn’t often one can say they’ve worked at the same place with the same people for 30 years.
In 2017, Pashek Associates merged with MTR Landscape Architects, bringing a portfolio of nationwide work that includes cemeteries for the Veterans Association, including the Cemetery of the Alleghenies, and work at prominent public and private gardens. With the merger, John and his partners continue to expand the type and breadth of work completed by the firm.
John’s greatest professional satisfaction is seeing people enjoying the results of the firm’s work as he travels, which includes local work at the Rochester Flag Plaza; Penn State Beaver; Beaver County Community College; Brady’s Run, Old Economy, and Brush Creek Parks; and many local municipal parks. John often assists communities with applying for and securing funding for planned projects, and his work has resulted in over $3.5 million in improvements just in Beaver County’s parks.
John has been equally passionate in serving his alma mater, community, and church, including work with the Freedom Band Boosters, Freedom High School Marching Band pit crew, Freedom Drama Club set building, Freedom Boys Soccer Boosters, Conway Borough Planning Commission, Conway Borough Council, Conway Community League T-Ball Coach, Freedom Area Soccer Assistant Coach, Cub Scout Pack 427 leader, St. Felix Parish Eucharist Minister, St. Felix Parish Holy Name Society Man of the Year, and St. Felix Holy Name Society President.
John notes that he is honored to be inducted into the Freedom Area Education Association’s Hall of Fame and is humbled to join the ranks of those he has admired and looked up to during his time at Freedom. He looks forward to continuing his professional journey, continuing to serve the community he loves, and continuing to watch his children in their life journeys.
Welcome Heather Fuller to Our Team!
Please join us in welcoming Heather Fuller to our team.
Heather’s prior experience as an interior designer gives her a unique perspective to view a project from multiple angles and influences her work by creating spaces that merge the built environment with the natural world. In her current role she assists the firm in site analysis, design development and construction documents for projects ranging from educational campuses to community planning.
Prior to joining Pashek + MTR, Heather spent several years as an Accessibility Specialist and has extensive experience working with the ADA standards. In addition to performing audits of park facilities she has experience integrating accessible design ideas seamlessly into the landscape, allowing all users to interact with the space in the same, inclusive way. She has helped incorporate accessibility into a variety of projects including playgrounds, walking trails, golf courses, and sports stadiums.
Heather is a member of Humane Action Pittsburgh, which works to make Pennsylvania a humane state for animals through legislative efforts as well as advocating for veganism and reducing plastic waste which can end up in our waterways.
Her past experience and her passion for sustainability fits perfectly with our mission. We are glad to have her as part of our team.