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You will be updated with latest job alerts via emailCurrent employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.
Pay Range:
$38.00 - $46.70 HourlyDepartment:
Department of Community Services (DCS)Job Type:
Regular RepresentedExemption Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
August 20 2025
The Opportunity:
OVERVIEW:
Multnomah County Land Use Planning is looking to hire a community-focused Planner 2 to join the team!
The Planner 2 is a mid-level professional position in the planning series here at Multnomah County Land Use this role you will assist rural Multnomah County property owners with land use matters by implementing federal state and local laws and policies that preserve the rural farm and timber economy protect the environment and maintain the quality of life in our unincorporated communities.
The majority of your time will be spent on permit case work. This includes researching regulations related to specific properties holding pre-file and pre-application meetings with applicants preparing administrative decisions or recommendations attending hearings and making public presentations. You will verify that County code state rules and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area regulations are being met while helping rural applicants accomplish their goals. As a member of the Current Planning team the Planner 2 will also respond to phone calls and emails and will consult with the public both in-person and over video calls. There will also be opportunities to contribute to the development of the team support process updates work with partner agencies and to support long-range code and policy updates.
Duties include:
Managing Type I Type II and Type III (public hearings) land use cases from intake to decision or recommendation. This includes writing staff reports with land use findings and conditions and presenting at public hearings for Type III decisions. The Planner 2 may review all types of decisions but will be expected to take on more complex land use cases such as preparing zoning action requests such as variances lots of exception Willamette River Greenway reviews and others.
Translating complex land use regulations for community members and applicants into easy to understand language.
Researching land use and permitting history.
Assisting the public by finding solutions to land use issues in person over the phone via email or via video calls.
Seeking opportunities to identify opportunities to improve processes procedures and methods of communication with internal and external partners.
Working with partner agencies to coordinate reviews including the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Providing staff support to the Planning Commission and Board by preparing staff reports presenting staff recommendations at hearings and writing final decisions
Providing public engagement support at public meetings and events attending neighborhood meetings as assigned.
An ideal candidate will be adept at solving both routine and unique property/land use problems. They will be curious and skilled at helping applicants find solutions within County code and state land use laws. They will meet deadlines and anticipate issues before they arise by working with applicants and partner agencies. They are astute about the roles of stakeholders leaders staff and the community ensuring that customer service is at the forefront of their work. They will recognize their role as a core member of a small and growing team at the County contributing to the teams cohesion as it grows and the navigating changes that will come with the development and adoption of the new Zoning Code with an open mind. They like working in a small shop and functioning as a generalist.
Who Are We
The Department of Community Services mission is to preserve harmony between natural and built environments keep people and pets safe and ensure every voice is heard through a diverse group of programs including transportation land use planning animal services elections and budget and operations support. This department is an incredibly diverse department and your role will be too.
The Multnomah County Land Use Planning Division facilitates development while ensuring the preservation and protection of wildlife streams scenic views the Columbia River Gorge forest lands and farm and nursery production. We value sustainability and believe that maintaining the quality of life supporting agriculture forestry and recreation and protecting natural resources in the rural areas of Multnomah County provides a social benefit that serves those on both sides of the urban growth boundary. Land Use Planning serves the unincorporated mostly rural areas of Multnomah County with three primary functions. Current Planning helps property owners and applicants with their development and land use proposals and Code Compliance ensures implementation. Long Range Planning serves the broader community by creating and updating zoning and codes and the Comprehensive Plan working closely with stakeholders to align local regional and state land use priorities.
What We Can Offer You:
DCS comprises unique and essential government services including Elections Land Use Planning Animal Services and Transportation.
The common mission of these diverse lines of business is articulated in this very simple statement: Inclusive community. Accessible services. So with us you will be challenged you will be encouraged to excel you will be given the opportunity to build a rewarding career. You will become a part of a strong organization dedicated to providing outstanding services to the community.
At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.
Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our website.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience volunteering education and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications review our overview of the selection process page.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree in planning geography architecture landscape architecture or a related field (equivalent experience may substitute for a degree);
Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience;
Experience with administering the Oregon land use planning program; and
A valid driver license.
Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.
A strong interest in rural land use planning and helping applicants through the land use process.
Experience with County-level land use planning.
Ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex issues verbally and in writing.
Experience providing excellent customer service to the public.
Ability and willingness to navigate change as the County updates the Zoning Code.
A strong interest in being part of a growing staff team.
Advanced skills in working cooperatively and harmoniously with staff peers superiors community members and special interest groups to gain cooperation and support.
An openness to learning and an interest in identifying how the County can meet the needs of its rural residents.
Ability to learn and understand the program area subject matter and related laws regulations and policies and understand the local context.
Ability to make sound decisions based on research and analysis.
Ability to work calmly under pressure think clearly and quickly and make sound and reasoned decisions.
Interest in the Oregon statewide land use system and potentially have an interest in growing expertise in key regulatory areas.
Prior public sector experience in planning (municipal or county level) or experience preparing land use approval submittals for applicants in a private sector role or serving in an extension of staff role.
Masters degree in planning or a related field.
Project management experience.
Experience and strong interest in rural planning.
Experience in resource conservation environmental impact work floodplain management geography and/or GIS.
*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION:
The Application Packet
Be sure to provide the required materials below in your application submission:
Online application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.
Resume: Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the PDF document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail including dates all related work experience paid or unpaid.
Cover letter: This should expand on your resume address why you are interested in this position and demonstrate how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.
Note: The application resume and cover letter should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the Overview and To Qualify sections of this job posting. Please be thorough as these materials will be used to determine your eligibility for an interview.
Internal candidates: After you have applied you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire.
The Selection Process
For details about how we typically screen applications review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
Initial review of minimum qualifications
Evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates which may include phone interviews panel interviews and/or additional testing
Professional reference checks
Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. This recruitment will be used to fill any current and future full-time part-time on-call temporary and limited duration positions while the eligible for hire list is active.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime.
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. There may be some flexibility with the regular start and end times. There may also be the option to work a 9/80 schedule.
Work Location: This position primarily works onsite at the John B. Yeon Annex located at 1600 SE 190th Ave. Portland OR 97233 with the option to work one day a week at the Multnomah Building on 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland OR 97214. This position is designated as hybrid telework meaning you may be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. Full time at an onsite location is also available. This position will be expected to be in person at least three days during the work week. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidates relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County we dont just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability veteran or protected veteran status genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.
Veterans Preference: Under Oregon Law qualifying veterans may apply for veterans preference. Review our veterans preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.
Questions
Recruiter:
Marisa MessinaEmail:
Phone:
1 (971)Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Job Profile:
6075 - Planner 2Full-Time