Planner 1

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$33.85 - $41.51 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Services (DCS)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

August 20, 2025

The Opportunity:

*only apply for this position once*

OVERVIEW

Multnomah County Land Use Planning is seeking two (2) community-focused professionals to join the team as a Planner 1.

The Planner 1 is an entry-level professional position in the planning series here at Multnomah County Land Use Planning. As a Planner 1 you will focus on Current Planning and will provide support to Planner 2s and Senior Planners while learning to apply professional planning principles. In this role, you will assist rural Multnomah County property owners with land use matters by implementing local, state, and federal laws and policies that preserve the rural farm and timber economy, protect the environment, and maintain the quality of life in our unincorporated communities.

Some of your duties will include:

• Assisting the public by explaining zoning regulations and finding solutions to land use issues in person, over the phone, via email and/or via video calls.
• Reviewing Type I and some Type II land use cases from intake to decision or recommendation. Type II reviews include writing staff reports with land use findings and conditions.
• Researching local, state, and federal policies and regulations and researching land use and permitting history.
• Conducting field inspections.
• Identifying and conducting research to support zoning code updates.
• Contributing to internal process reviews.
• Providing public engagement support at public meetings and events, attending neighborhood meetings as assigned.
• Contributing to the development of public information materials.

In this role, you will need excellent time and self-management skills to prioritize reviews and meet regulatory timelines. You must be willing and interested in providing excellent service to applicants and providing clear, and helpful information. You must be able to work independently, fairly and consistently exercise discretion and judgment when reviewing land use cases. You will also show initiative in terms of identifying solutions and seeking assistance and guidance, and identifying areas in which you would like to build your professional planning expertise. You will be a core member of a small and growing team at the County. Contributing to the team’s cohesion as it grows and navigating changes that will come with the development and adoption of the new Zoning Code will be part of the Planner 1 duties.We are looking for curious and interested candidates who want to learn, grow their planning expertise, and provide high-quality public service.

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*:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, public administration, or related field (equivalent experience may substitute for a degree).
• One (1) year of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position including the provision of creative solutions to nuanced issues for constituents.

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 being in a generalist role, and helping applicants through the land use process.
• Experience with County-level land use planning.
• Ability to learn and understand the program area subject matter and related laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ability and willingness to navigate change as the County updates the Zoning Code.
• A strong interest in being part of a growing staff team; and demonstrated skills in working cooperatively and harmoniously with staff, peers, superiors, community members and special interest groups to gain cooperation and support.
• Ability to explain complex regulations to people with no previous land use experience using simple terms and accessible language.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure, demonstrating the ability to think clearly and quickly, and make sound and reasoned decisions.
• Interest in growing planning-related skill sets and professional expertise to support the Land Use Planning Division.
• Business letter writing and basic report preparation techniques, including proper spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Basic mathematical principles, drafting and graphic techniques.
• Understanding of the basic legal principles of the planning process.
• Ability to work independently under deadlines.

*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

Please be sure to provide all the 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: 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. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

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, as well as an 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 candidate's 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 don't 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 Messina

Email:

marisa.messina@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 3139319

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:

6068 - Planner 1