Associate Planner

Join Our Team as an Associate Planner!

Are you an early/mid-career planning professional looking for a dynamic role where you can make a real impact? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued and your expertise is respected? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

We are currently seeking an Associate Planner to join our team.

In this role, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our community through strategic planning and development initiatives. You will work closely with stakeholders, elected officials, and community members to ensure that our planning efforts align with the needs and values of our community. This is a great opportunity to grow into a long-term or senior role within our community.

• Perform moderately complex planning functions. You'll still support the department by processing Type 1s and Type 2s as needed, but you will get to stretch yourself in processing Type 3s and some Type 4s.
• Develop planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs, and regulations.
• Initiate actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of regulations.
• Conduct review of and process various development applications, including plats, special use permits, site plans, variance requests, and rezonings.
• Assist with updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations.
• Conduct extensive research in specific or general project areas. May write formal and technical reports, papers, and correspondence.
• Assist in long-range planning and develop strategies for the community.
• Responsible for leading assigned volunteer committee.
• Full description:

• Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, architecture, public policy, or a related field
• Two (2) years of professional planning experience (a Master's Degree counts as two years of experience)
• Special and Preferred Qualifications (review the job description linked above for more details)

• Competitive salary
  • Hiring between $60,985.60-$68,598.40 per year; max pay of $90,272.00
• Generous benefits package
  • 100% paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision for eligible employees and dependents
  • $2,500 or $4,000 per year paid into the employee's Health Savings Account depending on eligibility and coverage level
  • Paid holiday, vacation (40 extra hours for Exempt), and sick leave
  • Eligibility for Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) in Oregon
  • Qualification for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • To review more about our compensation and benefits, please see: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• The chance to make a difference in your community

If you're ready to take the next step in your planning career and help shape the future of our community, we want to hear from you!

• Complete this application
• You must include a cover letter and professional writing sample
  • The writing sample should be a finding of fact that you have written for a project or some other sort of professional writing project (school project is acceptable, but a work related project is preferred).
  • If you have questions on this, please email hrrence.or.us

• First Review Deadline: week of February 1
• Review Applications:
  Approximately one week
• Interview and Selection Process:
  Estimated to take 1 month
  • Panel Interview – typically our first step, we conduct an interview between the selected applicant and members of City staff the applicant may work with. We try to give one week notice for this.
  • Department Head Interview – typically our last step, we will have top candidates from the panel interview process interview one-on-one with the Department Head. This usually takes place 1-2 weeks after the panel interview. From here, the Department Head will make the hiring recommendation.
  • For applicants out of the area, you can request a video interview, which is approved on a case by case basis, but note that we typically require applicants to come in person for at least one of the interviews.
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