Associate Planner

Join Our Team as an Associate Planner!

Are you a 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.

What Youll Do:

• Perform moderately complex planning functions. Youll 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 for Associate Planner - Were Looking For (Minimum Qualifications):

  • Bachelors Degree in urban planning architecture public policy or a related field

  • Two (2) years of professional planning experience (a Masters Degree counts as two years of experience)
  • Special and Preferred Qualifications (review the job description linked above for more details)

  Why You Should Join Us:

  • Competitive salary
    • Hiring between $60985.60-$68598.40/year; max pay of $90272.00
  • Generous benefits package
    • 100% paid premiums for medical dental and vision for eligible employees and dependents
    • $2500 or $4000 per year paid into the employees 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: for professional growth and development
    • A supportive and collaborative work environment
    • The chance to make a difference in your community

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

How to Apply:

• 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

Recruitment Timeline:

• 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.
• The top applicant that receives the hiring recommendation and accepts the conditional offer must successfully complete the background. For this position it is an employment and education verification and a DMV records check for an acceptable driving record as driving is a requirement of this position to conduct site inspections. This part of the process takes about 1 week. The next step would be to confirm the offer and work together on a start date.

Our Hiring Process

• The top scoring applicants (after applying any Veterans Preference (see below)) from this initial interview round will be asked to conduct the Department Head interview.
• The Department Head interview is typically the final stage of the process and your chance to leave an impression through your enthusiasm preparation abilities and resume. After this interview the Department Head and the City Manager will meet to discuss the candidates and the City Manager will make the final decision based on the Department Managers recommendation. Human Resources will reach out to all applicants and confirm their status in the application process. The top candidate will receive a conditional offer that specifies what background procedures will be conducted (depends upon position).
• Applicants not selected may be placed on an eligibility list for the Department to use in the 6 months following the close of the recruitment. Applicants will be notified if they are placed on the eligibility list. This list will allow the Department to pick up with the candidates where they left off in the recruitment should another vacancy for the same position become available. The eligibility list may be closed at any time by the sole discretion of the Department Head.

Our Hiring Policies

• We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression transgender status sexual stereotypes age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability genetic information or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal state and local law. You can view our EEO Policy here: City is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants if needed during the interview process. To request an accommodation please email . You can view our ADA policy here: City adheres to Veterans Preference laws and practices. If you qualify for and wish to claim Veterans preference you must assert your Veterans Preference on the application and supply the required documentation by the closing date and time of the application. You can view information about what is required/qualifying here: Hiring Process
  • After you apply for the position we review all requested application materials to determine if your demonstrated knowledge skills and abilities qualify you for the position. We apply Veterans Preference points at each step in the process including this step (see below for more information about Veterans Preference).
    • You can use this time to prepare for a potential interview by reviewing our website including our interview tips: you are one of the best qualified we will reach out to schedule an initial interview. The initial interview is a panel interview that may be conducted asone-way video interview through our partner Spark Hire a video interview over zoom or in-person. If you are not selected after this stage we will let you know you were not selected. If this is you keep an eye on our open roles for the next opportunity that might be a match.
    • The top scoring applicants from this initial interview round will be asked to conduct an in-person panel interview key staff you may be working with. However this depends upon the position/ certain circumstances the City may forgo the in-person panel interview and move on to the Department Head in-person interview. All applicants will go through the same process.
    • The Department Head interview is typically the final stages of the process and your chance to leave an impression through your enthusiasm preparation abilities and resume. After this interview the Department Head and the City Manager will meet to discuss the candidates and the City Manager will make the final decision based on the Department Heads recommendation.
    • Human Resources will reach out to all applicants and confirm their status in the application process. The top candidate will receive a conditional offer that specifies what background procedures will be conducted (depends upon position).
    • Applicants not selected may be placed on an eligibility list for the Department to use in the 6 months following the close of the recruitment. Applicants will be notified if they are placed on the eligibility list. This list will allow the Department to pick up with the candidates where they left off in the recruitment should another vacancy for the same position become available. The eligibility list may be closed at any time by the sole discretion of the Department Head.

    Our Hiring Policies

    • We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression transgender status sexual stereotypes age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability genetic information or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal state and local law. You can view our EEO Policy here: City is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants if needed during the interview process. To request an accommodation please email. You can view our ADA policy here: meet the general notice requirements of the FMLA the City must display a poster in plain view for all workers and applicants to see notifying them of the FMLA provisions and providing information concerning how to file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division. Our compliance with this requirement can be found here: City adheres to Veterans Preference laws and practices. If you qualify for and wish to claim Veterans preference you must assert your Veterans Preference on the application and supply the required documentation by the closing date and time of the application. You can view information about what is required/qualifying here: Experience:

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