City Land Use Planner I
City Planners I - Land Use specialty in the Bureau of Development Services perform moderately difficult and responsible professional planning assignments ranging from evaluating building permit applications for compliance with applicable land use codes, to analyzing development proposals and preparing written findings as part of discretionary land use reviews. This position carries out individual responsibilities using initiative, creativity and independence.
City Planners I – Land Use should possess the ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound problem-solving skills and use professional judgment. This position will also meet the Bureau's expectations of providing excellent customer service in an equitable manner to meet the needs of the City of Portland's community. City Planners I provide services in three teams:
- Planning and Zoning Team – Duties include administering the zoning code through non-discretionary review of (mostly) electronic building permit plans for compliance with zoning standards and previously-approved land use reviews. Additional duties include providing zoning information and assistance to customers involved in the land use review or permitting process on the Zoning Information Line (by phone), in Virtual meetings, in the Permit Center, and in other settings.
- Title 33 Team –Duties include administering the zoning code through the review of development proposals involving a variety of discretionary land use reviews. Additional duties include providing zoning information and assistance to customers involved in the land use review or permitting process.
- Land Division/Environmental Team – Duties include administering the zoning code through the review of development proposals involving discretionary Land Division or Environmental land use reviews. Additional duties include providing zoning information and assistance to customers involved in the land use review or permitting process.
The current vacancy is within the Planning and Zoning team. However, the list may be used to fill future vacancies in the three teams. Fluency in a second language is desirable, but not required.
As a City Planner I in the Planning and Zoning Team in BDS you will:
- Review building permit plans, mostly in the virtual work environment, submitted to BDS for compliance with Zoning requirements and conditions of approved land use reviews. Permits are submitted to BDS electronically as PDF files OR using the Project Dox Permit review software. (Experience using Project Dox is helpful but not required).
- Provide zoning information to customers in writing, on the phone and in virtual meetings using Microsoft TEAMS and sometimes ZOOM software.
- Assist customers, on a periodic basis, with limited paper plan review services that BDS provides in-person in the Development Services Center.
- Answer questions and concerns from the public, BDS and other City agency staff providing strong customer service and a solutions-oriented approach.
- Complete Tier 2 zoning confirmation letters used by finance institutions for due diligence, zoning maps for liquor and cannabis business licensing, and location approval for state car dealer applications.
- Report in person to work at least 1 regular shift (1 day) per week at the Development Services building (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Portland OR 97201) or as required by the work needs of the team/City of Portland work policies.
As a person, you are:
- Self-motivated: You work independently and with a minimum of supervision on a variety of tasks and manage your work deadlines effectively.
- Detail-oriented: You are a careful reader of code regulations and can apply them to development proposals.
- Solution-oriented: You use strong communication skills to work with customers and colleagues to implement solutions that meet the code requirements.
- Inclusive: Use Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) concepts to guide and inform your work.
- Judicious: You use good judgment in applying regulations and consulting with your supervisor, team leads or co-workers.
This classification is represented by Professional & Technical Employees Local 17 (PTE-17). View the agreement at: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements .
About the Bureau:
Our Equity Commitment:
The Bureau of Development Services is committed to eliminating racism and all discriminatory practices in our services and in our workplace because we understand the positive value of equitable systems.
Equity: Conditions that allow everyone to flourish so that race, gender, ability and/or other held identities do not determine access or outcomes.
To learn more at The Bureau of Development Services equity commitment - please review our equity commitment: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/article/670171
Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in all people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland's benefits please click here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception, for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.
Work Location
Currently, many positions with the City of Portland are being performed remotely due to COVID. In the future, current positions classified as “full-time remote” will: 1) become a remote/onsite mix or 2) revert to full-time at a city work location.
The City is offering optional information meetings for this recruitment. Please see the Additional Information section below for details.
To Qualify
Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training, work experience and/or lived experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:
- Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning.
- Ability to understand, interpret, and explain laws and policies in their relation to planning principles and practices.
- Experience presenting ideas and requirements clearly and persuasively, both in oral and written forms.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, property owners, elected officials, bureau management and staff, representatives from other bureaus and agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of the work.
Applicant must also:
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
The Recruitment Process
An evaluation of each applicant's training and experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions are weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
** PLEASE NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies**
Recruitment Activity Schedule:
- Job Posting closes: 10/10/2022
- Applications Reviewed: week of 10/17/2022
- Eligible List / Notices Generated: week of 10/24/2022
- 1st Round of Interviews: early November
- Job Offer: late November
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit a professional resume and responses to the supplemental questions online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:
- Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
- Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
- Your resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, as identified below, please describe in your responses to the supplemental questions and resume any transferrable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.
Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment. All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. Do not attach materials not requested. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Additional Information
Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s), and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.
Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skill to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.
Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and review best practices for applying to the City. Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/events.
Contact Information:
Bureau of Human Resources
Karen Ehn, Senior Recruiter
An Equal Opportunity Employer
OPTIONAL INFORMATION SESSION
To assist you in understanding this position and the recruitment process, we will offer an Optional Information Sessions that will provide you with details about the position and about the application process. You are not required to attend to apply for this job. You are welcome to join us for the optional session below:
Information Session 1-City Planner I - Land Use
Tuesday, October 4, 2022: 5:00-6:00 PM
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Information Session 2 -City Planner I - Land Use
Friday October 7, 2022: 12:00-1:00 PM
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Agency
City of Portland
Address
1120 SW 5th Ave, 404
Portland, Oregon, 97204
Phone
503-823-4757
Website