Planner

Join Our Team and Help Shape the Future of Newport!

Are you ready to make a tangible impact on how a community grows and thrives? The City of Newport is seeking a talented and motivated Planner, with opportunities available at either the Associate Planner or Senior Planner level, depending on your experience, expertise, and professional background.

Whether you are an early-career planner eager to develop your skills or an experienced professional ready to lead complex urban initiatives, we encourage you to apply.

We’re proud to offer a 4-ten-hour work schedule (Monday–Thursday), giving you three-day weekends to enjoy Oregon’s beautiful coast and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

For non-local hires, we’ll help you settle in with short-term housing - a furnished apartment with a partial rent subsidy for your first three months. Just bring your clothes!

Applications received by Monday, November 24, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in Newport’s planning and development efforts. You will help shape the community’s future through long-range planning, sustainable growth strategies, and responsive development review.

Depending on your experience, this position may be filled as an Associate Planner or Senior Planner. Associate Planners perform a variety of professional planning duties under general supervision and are provided opportunities to develop advanced technical expertise. The wage range for Associate Planner is $5,729 min. - $6,964 max. per month. Senior Planners take the lead on more complex, sensitive, or high-profile projects, providing professional guidance, policy analysis, and mentorship to others on the team. The wage range for Senior Planner is $6,483 min. - $7,880 max. per month

As a critical part of the Community Development team, you will balance policy and practicality while working across departments, engaging the public, and helping bring community goals to life. Assignments may include current planning reviews, comprehensive plan updates, and major urban renewal initiatives.

Why Join Us

Newport is a vibrant coastal community with a deep sense of place and a forward-looking vision for the future. Our planner helps turn that vision into reality, ensuring growth is balanced, equitable, and environmentally responsible.

You will enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment where innovation and initiative are valued. You will also have access to professional development opportunities and the chance to take on increasingly complex and rewarding work as you advance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or support long-range planning projects
• Review land use applications and prepare detailed reports, findings, and recommendations
• Recommend updates to zoning ordinances, subdivision codes, and comprehensive plan documents
• Translate City Council and Planning Commission policy direction into actionable plans and code amendments
• Conduct site inspections, approve Land Use Compatibility Statements, and ensure compliance with local and state regulations
• Serve as staff liaison to the City Council, Planning Commission, and other assigned committees
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal partners, including the Port of Newport and Lincoln County
• Present at public meetings and respond to inquiries from citizens, developers, and agencies
• Prepare meeting agendas, manage logistics, and draft minutes for assigned committees

What You Bring

• A passion for community planning, sustainability, and smart growth
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects with professionalism and attention to detail
• A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset and a commitment to public service
• Knowledge of Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals and local land use laws is highly desirable

If you are looking for meaningful work that combines technical expertise, creative problem solving, and community engagement, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

Apply today to help plan for a vibrant and sustainable future in Newport! 

Minimum Qualifications (Associate Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, geography, public administration, or a related field

• At least one (1) year of related professional experience

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Minimum Qualifications (Senior Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning or a closely related field

• At least four (4) years of progressively responsible planning experience, including work on complex or sensitive land use projects

• Advanced knowledge of municipal planning, land use law, and Oregon’s regulatory framework preferred

• Experience with project management, policy development, and interagency coordination

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in planning, public policy, or a related field

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification

• Supervisory or lead experience

• Direct experience with Oregon land use planning and familiarity with statewide planning goals

Special Requirements

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver’s license

• Ability to attend evening meetings

KNOWLEDGE:  Knowledge of urban planning, zoning regulations, various permit requirements, land use standards, and Oregon's statewide planning goals.  Knowledge of public policy analysis and architectural design. Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and such applicable software applications as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Mathematical principles, business letter writing, and the standard format for typed materials. Methods and techniques of proper phone etiquette. Methods and techniques for basic report preparation and writing. Methods and techniques for record keeping and filing. Customer service and public relations methods and techniques. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 
SKILLS:  Skill in the use of personal computers, various related software programs, and standard office equipment. Strong time management, analytical, organization, and prioritization skills. Customer service orientation and skills.  Exceptional interpersonal skills, and strong oral and written communications skills with a variety of audiences. Competence in business English, spelling, and punctuation. Strong reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving skills, combined with excellent judgment and professionalism.
 
ABILITIES:  Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with city management, employees, Council members, other entities, and the general public. Ability to learn the basic functions and structure of a municipal organization. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups, and to learn, apply, and explain in detail, tasks related to this position and the city's policies and procedures. Ability to communicate complex material in a simple, understandable manner.  Ability to enter data quickly and accurately using Word and Excel. Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality with critical and sensitive information, records, and reports. Ability to understand, interpret, and apply general administrative, city, and departmental policies and procedures. Ability to multi-task and work with interruptions. Ability to read, understand, and review documents for accuracy and relevant information. Ability to use applicable office terminology, forms, documents, and procedures in the course of the work. Ability to use sound judgment in following and applying appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Ability to compose correspondence, and compile and arrange data in a readable and comprehensible manner.  Ability to proofread and edit correspondence for errors in grammar or structure. Ability to coordinate activities, meet critical deadlines, and understand and follow instructions. Ability to honor the confidentiality required of this position. Ability to function independently with daily work. Physical ability to perform the essential job functions.
 

The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach, and manipulate objects.  The employee must have mobility, including the ability to frequently lift or move materials up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift or move materials up to 60 pounds.  The position requires the ability to operate a motorized vehicle.  Manual dexterity and coordination are required approximately 50% of the work period to operate such equipment as computers, keyboards, telephones, and standard office equipment.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
 Work location is primarily indoors where most of the work occurs under usual office working conditions. Outdoor work takes place during site inspections where the employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions. The employee is required to comply with safety standards, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
 All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofnewport

Only complete applications will be considered.  Please do not fax, mail or e-mail any documentation. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully submitted. 
 
The City of Newport is an EEO employer and veteran's preference provider. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.
 
All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a background check, reference checking, and in the case of safety sensitive positions, drug and alcohol testing.

The City of Newport follows Oregon law regarding Veterans’ Preference in Public Employment. If you are requesting Veterans’ Preference, you must complete the Veteran’s Preference Form and attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215. If you are a disabled veteran, you must also include a copy of your Veteran's Administration benefit summary/award letter with your application. 

Salary : $63,492 - $94,560