| Location | Lincoln, NE |
| Salary | $65,811.20–$101,608 Per Year |
Planner I or II
Salary
$65,811.20 - $101,608.00 Annually
Location
Lincoln, NE
Job Type
Full time/probationary or status
Job Number
202600399
Department
Urban Development Department
Opening Date
07/31/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Central
Job Posting Information
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska is looking to hire an experienced Planner to be part of the Urban Development Department's Economic Opportunity Division. The Urban Development department is responsible for managing Lincolns share of federal Community Development Block Grant funds, serving as the Citys Redevelopment Authority, coordinating acquisition of Right of Way and sales of City property, and managing public parking resources. The Economic Opportunity Division encourages and incentivizes neighborhood reinvestment and redevelopment projects and programs that strengthen Lincoln and its neighborhoods primarily using tax increment financing, but also with grants and other resources. The Division also works closely with our Livable Neighborhoods Division in planning projects and programs that improve the health and vitality of our low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and increase and maintain access to affordable housing.
Lincoln is a steadily growing city with a population of over 300,000. Our city has a diversified economic base, excellent school system with high graduation rates, a burgeoning startup community, and access to multiple higher education opportunities. This State Capital and college town offers the excitement of a big city with the convenience and friendliness of small-town living.
Lincoln continues to rank high among cities in the United States for its economy, jobs, parks and trails, health, happiness, etc. Lincoln ranks 9th as being one of the "Best-Run Cities in America," WalletHub June 2026. Among state capitals, Lincoln ranks 6th overall for affordability, economic well-being, quality of life, education and health care according to a 2025 study by Wallethub.com. Lincoln is ranked number 39 of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US" by livability.com, 2025. The City is also the 2nd most financially healthy City among the 75 most populous cities according to a 2025 analysis by truthinaccounting.org.
Lincoln is at the forefront of innovative policies and practices using Tax Increment Financing. The City incentivizes the use of TIF toward affordable housing. We also use TIF in bridging projects together to create more complete streets and connections to neighborhoods, parks, and public facilities. Lincoln is a great place to start your career or enhance your seasoned career in Planning. We look forward to meeting qualified candidates!
Nature of Work/Examples of Work Performed
The position primarily includes professional work in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of redevelopment and revitalization projects and programs. Projects include working with neighborhoods on public reinvestment projects and private redevelopers and business owners on private reinvestment.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
While the City prefers to hire an experienced candidate, the right combination of skills, abilities, and education may allow the best applicant to grow into the position through appropriate training. Applicants with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply if they meet the minimum qualifications for a Planner I listed below.
Desirable Knowledge, Abilities & Skills/Desirable Training & Experience
Preferred Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in one of the social or engineering sciences, supplemented by a master's degree in city, regional or urban planning and considerable experience in city planning.
Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Minimum Qualifications/Necessary Special Requirements
Necessary Minimum Qualifications for Planner I ($31.64- $42.20): Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in planning or in one of the related social or engineering sciences; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.
Necessary Minimum Qualifications for Planner II ($36.62-$48.85): Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in one of the social or engineering sciences with planning experience in current or long-range planning or in one of the following specialties: transportation planning, historic preservation, wireless telecommunication facilities, or other specialized planning function; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.
We value each City of Lincoln employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position:
01
CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer. 1. I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and/or supplemental questions with details, I may not receive full credit for my education and/or experience. 2. Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (e.g. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation. 3. All employers, work and volunteer experience, and education described in the following Supplemental Questions must also be listed on the application. 4. I understand that I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application and my responses to the supplemental questions.
02
Indicate if you have college-level coursework in the following:
03
If checking related field, please specify.
04
Indicate if you have a degree in one or more of the fields listed in Question 2.
05
Do you have work experience in developing and writing plans and related documents?
06
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
07
Do you have work experience in preparing spreadsheets and graphs, analyzing data, and summarizing that data for reports and/or presentations?
08
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
09
Do you have work experience in public engagement with community organizations, neighborhood organizations, and/or the public?
10
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
11
Do you have work experience in working with attorneys, real estate developers, and/or business owners?
12
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
13
Do you have work experience in working with appointed or elected officials?
14
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
15
Do you have work experience in managing a variety of funding sources, including Tax Increment Financing, Tax Credits, Federal Entitlement Grants or other local, state, or federal sources?
16
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
17
Do you have work experience in developing budgets and/or analyzing projects for the purposes of public financing (e.g. use of tax increment financing)?
18
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
19
Do you have work experience in project management?
20
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
21
Do you have work experience in reviewing construction documents and/or architectural plans?
22
If yes, please list the employer(s) from your application where you acquired this experience AND describe your work duties.
23
I understand that if selected for an interview I will be asked to submit writing samples of plans, reports, and/or studies where I was the primary author.
Required Question
Employer City of Lincoln/Lancaster County
Address 555 South 10th Street, Room 302
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508
Phone (402) 441-7597
Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/lincolnne/default.cfm