Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : 101 N.W. "A" Street, Grants Pass, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-54
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
About the PositionJoin the Community Development Team as an Associate Planner or Senior Planner!Ready to make an impact? This is your chance to join a dynamic City team that's shaping the future of our community.
Our Planning Division is at the heart of community growth and innovation. We guide residents and developers through the City's Comprehensive Plan and land use policies. Every day, we apply the Development Code and review a wide variety of land use applications-from subdivisions to variances.
If you want to help drive thoughtful development, support a thriving community, and be part of a team that's passionate about making a difference, we'd love to have you onboard!
Questions regarding these opportunities can be addressed to or 541.450.6050.
Minimum Qualifications Associate Planner Salary Range: $66,949 to $84,712A Bachelor's Degree in city planning, community development or a related field and two years of government related land use planning experience are required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed in the
- Valid driver's license, Oregon Class C with an acceptable driving record
Senior Planner (This position is exempt from overtime.)
Salary Range: $76,761 to $103,071A Bachelor's Degree in planning or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience including one (1) year of supervisory experience are required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the
- Valid driver's license, Oregon Class C with an acceptable driving record
- American Institute of Certified Planners certificate preferred
(This position is exempt from overtime.)
How to Apply Application materials must be submitted by the closing date in order to be considered for this position.
Required materials to be turned in for this recruitment are:
1. City Application
2. Supplemental Questionnaire
3. Resume
4. Cover Letter
5. Attach an educational or professional writing sample, authored by you in the last 3 years.
Ranking and Selection The ranking and selection of applicants to proceed in the process includes: experience, responses to supplemental questionnaire, and meeting minimum qualifications of the position. The initial selection process for this position includes the following steps: application review and oral interview. The final selection process following interview includes the following steps: tentative offer, criminal history check, background/reference check, drug screening and final offer of employment.
All candidates will be notified of the status of their application after the closing date.
Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request prior to the application deadline to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application process.
Directly related work experience and qualifications will be evaluated alongside others who perform work of comparable character as required by Pay Equity Law.
Summary of Benefits2026Health InsuranceThe City provides a full family healthcare package that includes medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance. Full family coverage includes spouse, registered domestic partner or same sex domestic partner and children up to age 26.
Most employees are currently provided two options for health insurance and may elect to have their portion of the health insurance premium deduction taken out of their paycheck on a pre-tax basis. Employee rates for 2026 for health and dental coverage range from $185 to $194 per month depending on the coverage selected.
In addition to health coverage, the City contributes $234 per month to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA/VEBA) on the employee's behalf.
Dental InsuranceThe City provides two carriers for dental coverage, PacificSource with two options available. PacificSource Dental allows employees to select any dentist covered by PacificSource.
RetirementThe City participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). An employee is eligible for PERS after six months of service (unless the employee is already a PERS member, then contributions are immediate). The employee's contribution of 6% is paid by the City under each collective bargaining agreement and the personnel rules at this time.
Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)An employee who is new to Oregon public service and was hired on or after August 29, 2003, becomes an OPSRP Pension Program member if the employee works six full calendar months in a qualifying position for an OPSRP-Participating employer. The six-month waiting period cannot be interrupted by more than 30 consecutive working days and must be served with the same employer.
Life InsuranceThe City provides life insurance to all full-time employees at one time their annual salary. An employee can voluntarily choose to purchase additional life insurance, spousal life and/or dependent life.
Accidental Death and DismembermentThe City provides accidental death and dismemberment insurance to all full-time employees at one time their annual salary.
Long Term DisabilityThe City provides benefits at the rate of 60% of salary with a maximum monthly benefit of $9,000 and a maximum covered salary of $15,000 per month. This benefit has a 90-day elimination period.
Flexible Spending/125 ProgramEmployees may elect to set aside monies pre-tax for out of pocket medical (maximum deferral $3,400) and/or dependent care (maximum deferral $5,000) expenses.
FICA and MedicareThe City participates in Social Security and pays the employer's portion of FICA and Medicare for each employee.
Deferred Compensation ProgramDeferred compensation is a voluntary program which allows employees to designate a dollar amount or percentage of their pay for pre-tax retirement savings. These funds are deducted from an employee's check after FICA taxes, but before state and federal taxes, are applied. These funds are held state and federal tax free until the employee begins to withdraw funds. An employee is eligible to withdraw funds upon separation of service. The City provides four different carriers from which the employee can select. Employees may defer a maximum of $24,500 in 2026, with "catch-up" provisions that apply to those employees nearing retirement.
Worker's CompensationApproved on-the-job injuries are paid at approximately 66 2/3% of regular salary upon acceptance of the claim. The difference between employee's normal net and worker's compensation claim is paid by the City under the terms and conditions set forth in Administrative Policy 5-1 and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Holiday/Holiday CompensationManagement, supervisors, non-represented, and Grants Pass Employee Association employees receive 10 paid holidays per year. Police personnel receive a holiday compensation bank of 48 hours each July 1 and January 1. Fire represented personnel receive a holiday compensation bank of 132 hours (56-hour schedule) each July 1 based on the prior years' service.
Personal HolidayGrants Pass Employee Association and Confidential-Classified employees receive 2 personal use-it or lose-it holidays per year, pro-rated based on the total months of service for the prior calendar year. Management and supervisory employees receive 1 personal use-it or lose-it holiday per year.
VacationVacation accrual is provided to each regular full-time and regular part-time employee based upon their job classification, labor group, and scheduled workweek. Accruals and their availability for use are determined by a collective bargaining agreement or Personnel Rules, Regulations and Policies.
Sick LeaveSick leave accrual is provided to each regular full-time and regular part-time employee based upon their scheduled work week. Sick leave accrual is available for use immediately. Full-time employees working a 40-hour schedule receive 96 hours per year, which accrues at 3.69 hours per pay period. Fire personnel on a 56-hour schedule receive 156 hours per year, which accrues at 6 hours per pay period.
Emergency LeaveEmergency leave is provided to employees to attend the funeral of an immediate family member, or to visit a member of your immediate family whose illness may result in death. Firefighters may take a 24-hour shift and all other employees may take up to 24 hours or 3 days emergency leave days per calendar year. Sick leave and/or vacation may also be utilized with approval.
Employee Assistance ProgramThe EAP provides an employee and the employee's dependents up to four confidential visits per issue during a year at no cost. Visits may be for counseling, assessment or referral help in dealing with the various stresses in life.
Fitness Reimbursement PolicyFull-time employees are eligible for a $40 per month individual reimbursement towards monthly membership dues to a health/fitness facility upon proof of payment and attendance. Reimbursement is processed on a quarterly basis through payroll. Regular part-time employees are eligible for a pro-rated reimbursement.
Educational Reimbursement PolicyA portion of the registration and fee costs associated with educational courses taken at an accredited institution and related to a regular full-time employee's job will be reimbursed upon successful (Grade C or better) completion of the class. All employees who have completed their trial service period are eligible for this benefit. This program is dependent on budget availability and limitation of the program.
Direct DepositEmployees may voluntarily elect to have their paycheck electronically deposited in their bank(s) of choice.
All employees, excluding those classified as management and therefore "at will", are required to a serve a trial service period. Most positions require the incumbent serve a 12-month trial service period. Uncertified Police Officers and Dispatchers will be required to serve an 18-month trial service period. Some benefits identified in this summary become available upon satisfactory completion of said period.
Collective Bargaining Agreements are located at:
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We appreciate your interest in becoming a member of the City of Grants Pass' team. Working in service of our citizens and community is important and we value your time and effort to complete the application process. We have prepared supplemental questions as part of our selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in the position for which you've applied. These questions should be answered accurately and thoroughly based on your work history. If you are requesting veteran's preference, indicate that you are a veteran AND upload a copy of your DD214 or veteran administration letter indicating your disabled status if applicable. Veteran preference documentation must be submitted by the closing of the announcement. I have read and understood all of the information listed above.
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Please describe the approach, and/or key steps you would take to review a new residential subdivision application. (This question is not intended to be answered using Grants Pass-specific codes but rather to demonstrate your understanding of more generalized elements and principles of current land use planning.)
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Did you attach an educational or professional writing sample, authored by you?
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Which position best
