Planner I

Position: Planner I

Department: Community Development - Planning

Salary: $26.72 - $33.81 per hour (depending on experience)

General Position Summary
This is an entry- to intermediate-level professional planner position that performs a variety of current and long-range planning duties under general supervision. The Planner I position assists the Planning Director and higher-level planners in administering the County’s land use regulations, processing development applications, and providing information to the public regarding planning, zoning, and related development requirements. Work includes customer service at the public counter and by phone, technical review of applications, data collection and analysis, and preparation of clear written reports and recommendations.

Essential Functions
The following may not be all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Provide courteous, professional customer service to developers, contractors, property owners, and the general public at the counter, by phone, and via email regarding planning, zoning, land use, and related permitting requirements.
• Receive, log, and process planning and related permit applications, including checking for completeness, accuracy, and required supporting documents and fees.
• Review moderately complex land use, development, and site plan applications for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances, and other applicable regulations, under the direction of higher-level planners.
• Interpret and explain applicable ordinances, codes, and policies to applicants, staff, and the public, referring more complex questions to the Planning Director or senior staff as appropriate.
• Assist in drafting and updating planning documents, including portions of staff reports, findings, conditions of approval, public notices, and agenda materials for the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.
• Collect, organize, and analyze planning-related data (e.g., land use, zoning, permits, demographics) to support recommendations for plan amendments, ordinance updates, or process improvements.
• Enter and maintain accurate permit and planning case information in the County’s permitting and tracking systems, and compile simple reports on planning and permitting activity as directed.
• Prepare public notices, notification lists, and mailings in accordance with legal and procedural requirements; ensure that notice and posting deadlines are met.
• Prepare and maintain case files, maps, correspondence, and related records; index materials by parcel and permit numbers and assist with archiving of records.
• Assist higher-level planners at public meetings and hearings by assembling materials, presenting basic information, and responding to questions within area of responsibility.
• Coordinate with Building, On‑Site Sanitation, and other divisions or agencies to route applications, track review status, and communicate requirements and decisions to applicants.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve permit and planning processes and in implementing approved changes to procedures.
• Perform related clerical and administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, answering telephones, copying, scanning, and filing to support the Planning Division as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education, Certification, & Experience

• Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates knowledge of basic planning concepts, principles, and land development techniques.
• Experience in city, county, or regional planning, land use, permitting, construction, or closely related field is desirable but not required for otherwise qualified applicants.
• Current Oregon Driver’s License or ability to obtain within a reasonable period of time.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Basic principles and practices of land use planning, zoning, and community development.
• State and local procedures, regulations, and ordinances associated with land use planning or ability to learn them within a reasonable time.
• Basic research methods, data collection, and statistical techniques for planning analysis.
• Reading and interpreting maps, plans, drawings, and aerial photos; familiarity with legal descriptions is desirable.
• General building, subdivision, and site development concepts sufficient to review proposals for completeness and conformity to standards.
• Standard office practices and recordkeeping, and basic use of permitting or database systems.

Skill in:

• Providing effective, tactful, and timely customer service to a diverse public, including in sometimes difficult or sensitive situations.
• Preparing clear, concise, and well-organized written correspondence, reports, and recommendations.
• Using computers and software such as Microsoft Office, internet applications, and planning/permit software (e.g., Accela, ArcReader or GIS viewers, and related systems).
• Performing basic mathematical calculations including percentages, ratios, areas, and other quantities used in planning and permitting.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply County and State land use regulations, procedures, and permit processes.
• Read, understand, and explain regulations, policies, site plans, and basic construction or development drawings to the public and co‑workers.
• Collect, organize, and analyze information, identify issues, and make logical recommendations within established policies.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, appointed and elected officials, other agencies, and the public.
• Manage multiple tasks and deadlines, prioritize work, and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Work independently within established guidelines, and as an effective member of a team.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical documents, ordinances, maps, and regulatory materials related to planning and permitting.
• Ability to write routine reports, staff comments, business correspondence, and procedure documentation in a clear and organized manner.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the public, developers, contractors, and other staff in group or one‑on‑one settings.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations, including fee calculations, area and density calculations, and related planning metrics.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as area, frontage, and dimensions from plans and maps.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect relevant data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions within the framework of applicable codes and policies.
• Ability to interpret and apply written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule instructions, and to exercise sound judgment in situations where limited standardization exists.

Computer Skills:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and internet software.
• Ability to learn and use the County’s permitting and planning software (such as Accela) and basic GIS or mapping tools.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl in the course of field visits or file retrieval.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (e.g., boxes of files or plan sets).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with a moderate to loud noise level.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule:

• The normal work schedule is 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; exact schedules are assigned by management.
• It is the attendance standard of the employer that all employees be present and on time each shift they are scheduled to work.
• Full or partial absence during any scheduled shift, arriving late, or leaving early, for whatever reason, may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
• Time off may be approved if allowed by applicable policies covering illness, injury, or other personal emergency.