The Assistant or Associate Planner provides a range of professional planning services to the public, City departments, Planning Commission, City Council, and other advisory boards and commissions. Primary responsibilities include managing land use applications. Conducts research and makes recommendations regarding the City’s general and long-range land use studies, public facilities studies, environmental studies and/or master plans.
Full-time, 40 hours per week
AFSCME-represented position
12-month probationary period
Must meet all qualifications and requirements as listed in the position description.
Assistant Planner $29.04 - $36.91
Associate Planner $36.41 - $46.32
The Planning Division is actively engaged with the community, supporting several exciting long range planning projects that will help implement the Imagine Corvallis 2040 vision. This includes development of Specific Area Plans for our comprehensive neighborhoods, updates to our Land Development Code and mixed-use and housing policies, and implementation of goals from the Historic Preservation Plan.

Assistant Planner

Conducts and makes recommendations regarding the City's general land use studies, public facilities studies, environmental studies and/or long range capital improvement studies and master plans.

Assists in the development of land use plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans, and related planning programs, services, or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups, and interested persons.

Performs on-site inspections to assist in the evaluation of land use applications and to determine compliance with conditions of approval

Conducts technical research studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local plans and regulations, projecting trends, monitoring socioeconomic data, etc. Prepares staff reports for the Historic Resources Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council; and conducts public presentations. Guides applicants and community members through the public hearing and administrative development review processes.

Assists City staff in the enforcement of local ordinance and in interpreting City codes and master plans.

Updates a variety of maps; prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications, or meetings. Assists in maintaining the data base of information for planning purposes.

Facilitates land use planning efforts for the community consistent with State mandates, the Imagine Corvallis 2040 Vision, and the Climate Action Plan. This includes providing staff support to appointed boards, commissions and identified community groups.

Operates and drives a motor vehicle safely and legally.

Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in the City through own actions.

Conforms to all safety rules and performs work in a safe manner.

Delivers excellent customer service to diverse audiences.

Maintains effective work relationships.

Adheres to all City and Department policies.

Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.

Associate Planner
Manages City review of land use development applications for compliance with adopted City policies and standards. Land use development applications include staff-level and public hearing items. Coordinates reviews with City Staff from other disciplines, as well as with appropriate staff from other local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and with private service providers. Prepares recommendations on development proposals; develops staff reports for the Planning Commission, Historic Resources Commission, and City Council; and conducts public presentations. Guides applicants and community members through the public hearing and administrative development review processes.
 
Conducts research and makes recommendations regarding the City’s general and long-range land use studies, public facilities studies, environmental studies and/or master plans.
 
Assists in the preparation and/or updates of the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, facilities master plans, land use maps, and/or other types of planning documents.
 
Manages and/or conducts ongoing and/or special projects. Such projects may include, but are not limited to downtown redevelopment planning, code amendments, area specific land use studies, strategic plans, master plans, natural resources management, historic preservation, Land Development Information Report, etc.
 
Facilitates public review, public involvement, and input opportunities in the land use and decision process.
 
Develops recommendations and prepares and presents reports to elected and appointed officials on the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, and other ordinances and regulations.
 
Responds to public requests for general information on planning regulations and procedures.
 
Provides staff support to City Council, appointed boards, commissions and identified community groups.
 
Drafts measures to implement the Comprehensive Plan (ordinances, regulations, special studies) and presents recommended actions to officials.
Completes grant applications for various special studies involving land use planning, historic preservation, and significant natural features within the Urban Growth Boundary.
 
Conducts field inspections of development sites to ensure compliance with all planning related development requirements.
 
Facilitates land use planning efforts for the community consistent with State and Federal mandates, the Corvallis Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Operational Plan, Historic Preservation Plan, the Imagine Corvallis 2040 Vision, and the Climate Action Plan.
 
Operates and drives a motor vehicle safely and legally.
 
Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in the City through own actions.
 
Conforms to all safety rules and performs work is a safe manner.
 
Delivers excellent customer service to diverse audiences.
 
Maintains effective work relationships.
 
Adheres to all City and Department policies.
 
Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.

Education and Experience

Assistant Planner

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or a related field.

One year experience in land use planning. A Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geography or a related field may substitute for the one year of experience.

Associate Planner
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or a related field.Four years experience in Urban Planning. A Master’s degree in Urban Planning or Public Administration may substitute for two years’ experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Assistant Planner
Knowledge and ability to implement urban planning principles in the areas of land use, zoning and development review. Thorough knowledge of City codes and ordinances, public policies and legal requirements of land use planning.

Working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is desirable.

Excellent research, analytical, and interpretive skills.

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to manage and negotiate conflicting positions.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, work on complex projects, and maintain responsiveness to public needs and requests.

Ability to get along well with coworkers and the public and maintain effective work relationships.

Associate Planner
Knowledge and ability to implement urban planning principles in the areas of land use, zoning and development review. Thorough knowledge of City codes and ordinances, public policies and legal requirements of land use planning. Experience with ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, including both static and web map publication and spatial analysis is desirable.Experience with database queries is desirable.Experience with digital publishing and illustration is desirable.Excellent research, analytical, and interpretive skills.Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to manage and negotiate conflicting positions. Ability to function very independently on projects that have high visibility in the community and/or are debated by regulatory commissions, advisory boards, and the City Council. Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, work on complex projects, and maintain responsiveness to public needs and requests.Ability to get along well with coworkers and the public and maintain effective work relationships. 

Special Requirements

Assistant Planner
Attendance of occasional evening and/or after hours meetings required.

Possession or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Oregon Drivers License. 

Demonstrable commitment to sustainability.

Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion.

The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.

Ability to pass a pre-employment background and/or criminal history check. 
Associate Planner
Possession or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Oregon Driver’s License. Attendance of occasional evening and/or after-hours meetings required.Ability to travel to project development sites and conferences as needed.Demonstrable commitment to sustainability.Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion.The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace. 
Ability to pass a pre-employment background and/or criminal history check. 
Qualified applicants must submit an online application located on the City of Corvallis website (click on “Apply” above). Position is open until filled with first review of applications on March 20, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter and resume with the online application; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted/considered.