District/Area Planner (City Planner II: Long Range)

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is currently seeking a City Planner II Long Range position to work in the bureau’s District and Area Planning team. The position is a regular position.  

City Planner IIs are responsible for developing and modifying plans, policies, design guidelines and zoning code provisions for long range planning projects. They conduct research and policy analysis in several program areas and engage the community in defining issues and identify opportunities to inform plans and policy. They are expected to exercise sound independent judgment and initiative in developing solutions and making recommendations to resolve problems. This position will be part of a project team that meets regularly and coordinates efforts internally, with other city bureaus, external stakeholders and the general public.

District/Area Planner
 

The District/Area Planning program focuses on local and place-based planning and development issues and projects across five districts — West, Southeast, North, Northeast, and East. District/Area Planners use their knowledge of local conditions and issues to work with communities and City bureaus on projects that address development and equity issues related to topics such as zoning, design, housing, community development, environment, transportation, and transit. District/Area Planners are often involved in projects managed by other agency partners and serve as a resource to connect projects with community stakeholders. 

The ideal candidate demonstrates an advanced understanding of equitable planning and community development with an understanding of tools and strategies to address structural racial disparities in city planning, housing, community economic/development and transportation. They practice cultural competency and humility and are able to work with people of diverse cultures. Knowledge of the local community-based organizations is desired but not required. They possess the ability to direct or manage complex multi-objective, multi-agency planning projects.

What will you get to do as a City Planner II: 

• Serve as project coordinators or lead planners on long-range planning projects to develop and modify plans, policies, guidelines and zoning code provisions. Specific responsibilities may include: 
• Draft zoning code amendments, ordinances and legal findings of fact; research, draft and recommend regulations. 
• Develop and amend land use plans, policies, regulations and guidelines and ordinances incompliance with Portland’s Comprehensive Plan and regional growth management policies.
• Draft and execute public engagement plans for specific projects.
• Apply culturally relevant methods to engage with communities to create long range plans that include the interests of underserved and underrepresented groups.
• Engage communities at all stages of the planning process and ensure communication materials are accessible to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities and/or those who learn in different ways.
• Manage the public testimony for various projects. 
• Research planning issues, using a variety of sources including mapped information, permit databases, legal documents (such as statutes, codes, ordinances and briefs), technical studies, abstracts, site visits, and field data. Evaluate data gathered for appropriateness and validity and assess trends. 
• Prepare a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, land use plans and legislative findings, correspondence, agendas, meeting minutes, public notices, public information materials. 
• Develop and monitor the work program of technical and community advisory committees, professional service contractors, inter-bureau work groups and ad-hoc project-specific teams; assist to draft scope of work documents, request for proposals, funding proposals, budget-related documents, and public outreach strategies. 

This classification is represented by Professional & Technical Employees Local 17 (PTE-17). To view this labor agreement, please click here.

About the Bureau

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability develops creative and practical solutions enhance Portland's livability, preserve distinctive places and plan for a resilient future. We are committed to advancing equity as a means of achieving prosperous, healthy, resilient communities. In collaboration with community partners, we provide; comprehensive land use, neighborhood, economic, historic and environmental planning, and urban design; policy and technical services to advance green building and a just transition to clean energy, waste prevention, composting and recycling, and a sustainable food system; policy to address climate change; policy, projects and outreach related to the Smart City PDX program and are responsible for administering the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. https://www.portland.gov/bps (http://www.portland.gov/bps )

BPS values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization. We encourage candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. Although not required, BPS encourages candidates that can fluently speak more than one language to include that information in your resume. BPS offers an excellent benefits package, flexible work schedules and support for training and skills development in a positive, engaging, and creative work environment.

Studies have shown that women, non-binary people, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. BPS considers lived experience, and transferrable skills as qualifying unless an item is labeled as required. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and the candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply.

City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
 
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, healthcare flexible and/or dependent care spending accounts, fertility counseling and resources, 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), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer. For more information on the City of Portland's benefits, please click here.
 

Work Location
Many positions within the City are designated as hybrid, most hybrid employees will be expected to perform at least half of their work in-person. City Council approved a human resources administrative rule in January 2023, HRAR – 4.045, requiring employees, including those who are fully remote and hybrid, to perform work within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Applicants must meet each of the following minimum qualifications.  Describe in their responses to the supplemental questions and résumé how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Ability to apply land use laws, procedures, and planning practices concerning a variety of planning issues and formulate recommendations for long range planning projects.
2. Experience coordinating long-range land-use projects and contracts, including budgets, schedules, and quality of work product.
3. Knowledge of a variety of data sources and techniques for communicating data in an understandable and compelling format.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences such as neighborhood representatives, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, City Commissioners, developers, and colleagues.
5. Ability to effectively use interpersonal skills to work with internal and external stakeholders from a variety of different social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, including diverse and under-represented communities, without imposing dominant culture norms in your work.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record, at the time of hire.
• Submit a sample of your writing.Examples of acceptable samples include:
  •  A letter or memorandum drafted for a work assignment.
  • An executive summary of a paper.
  • Planning-related work product, such as a land use plan or zoning code provision. 

Note: Writing samples should be no more than five (5) pages and should be in a word document or a pdf document. No zipped files or links will be accepted.

An evaluation of each applicant’s training and experience, as demonstrated in their responses to the supplemental questions and résumé, are weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the 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**