Senior Planner

Salary : $82,472.00 - $123,739.20 Annually
Location : Community Development Center | 231 NE 5th St., McMinnville, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Community Development
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Position Summary

The City of McMinnville is hiring a Senior Planner. Serves in a lead capacity providing direct assistance to the Community Development Director, as a subject matter expert, in the performance of all aspects of a variety of complex land use planning work in such areas as land use, community development, cultural, special planning studies, urban design and architecture, transportation planning, and code and policy development. Assists in implementing regional planning initiatives in coordination with other local, state, and federal agencies. The Senior Planner is the advanced journey-level classification within the Planner series and serves as a team leader, project coordinator and resource for other planners to access. This position provides technical information and interprets laws, ordinance, rules and regulations for land developers and the public. The Senior Planner conducts research and prepares detailed analyses and recommendations for land use issues. This position is required to perform complex and challenging specialized functions with minimum direction and supervision.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please apply by the first review date on Monday, September 21st.

Interested in other planning opportunities with the City? We are currently recruiting for both a Senior Planner and an Associate Housing Planner. If your qualifications align with one or both positions, we encourage you to review both postings on our and apply for any position(s) that best match your experience and career goals.
Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Long Range Planning

1. Prepares research reports, plans, maps, and charts related to short- and long-range comprehensive planning, zoning, permits, and community development.
2. Serves as a project manager in the development of short- and long-range plans through the approval process. Prepares reports and related data as required and conducts inspections.
3. Identifies community's attractors and liabilities as it pertains to planning and makes recommendations to amend the department's programs and policies appropriately.
4. Researches, develops, and recommends new programs, projects, or program improvements to enhance the enduring value of the community for future generations.
5. Manages and participates in large planning projects with developers, agencies, civic groups, and special interests.
6. Prepares grant application forms and administers grants awarded to the City as assigned.
7. Prepares requests for proposals, reviews consultant qualifications, negotiates contracts, prepares budgets, and tracks expenses.
8. Prepares work programs and timelines, reviews consultant work, prepares progress reports and other similar tasks associated with completing the work program.
9. Develops plans and assists in developing policies and guidelines to direct community growth.

Current Planning

1. Reviews and analyzes development applications and plans.
2. Writes ordinances, legal findings, and decision documents.
3. Presents land-use applications to the Planning Commission and City Council as appropriate.
4. Reviews development proposals, working with the customer to complete a land use solution that complies with laws and regulations in an expedited process.

Customer Service and Program Support

1. Confers with developers and the public in both office and field locations.
2. Conducts on-site inspections at construction sites.
3. Oversees the work of outside consultants.
4. Performs complex and challenging specialized functions with minimum direction and supervision.
5. Provides general and technical information and interprets planning laws, ordinances, and codes for land developers, the public, and other City staff.
6. Receives input from citizens and assesses public opinion on planning matters.
7. Provides staff support to the Planning Commission and various other commissions and committees, including the City Council.
8. Makes presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding plans and ordinance amendments, conditional uses, rezones, etc.
9. Attends meetings and hearings with official and public groups and contributes to such, with discussions and presentation of materials, as assigned or appropriate.
10. Assists staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting city codes and master plans.
11. Administers zoning ordinances and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission as appropriate.
12. Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned. Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
13. Performs major work toward implementation of City plans and policies with State and regional planning agencies, including evaluating and preparing reports on the relationship of existing City policies and regulations to State and regional planning goals, policies, and regulations.
14. Prepares reports for review by Department and City management indicating how State and regional goals, policies, and regulations affect the City, including suggesting appropriate courses of action.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.
• Participate in committees when requested.
• Maintain proficiency in job requirements which may include attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility, which may require travel.
• Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
• Maintain confidentiality, data integrity, and comply with all related city, state, and federal standards related to confidentiality.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to qualify would be an advanced degree in a related field and at least five (5) years of related experience. This position also requires:

Knowledge of:

• Planning and land use laws and comprehensive plans (including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement), environmental studies, urban design/architecture, geography, report preparation, and presentation methods.
• Data gathering and research techniques.
• Design and distribution of questionnaires and other citizen survey tools used in the planning process.
• Theory and methods of formulating land use and other policies.
• The methods used for citizen involvement in planning projects.
• Planning applications for land use theory, urban design, economics, municipal finance, land use law, environmental design, resource development, and ecology.
• Computer applications for word processing, desk top publishing, creation of spread sheets and computer-generated business graphics.

Skill and Ability to:

• Use advanced math tools, such as geometry and statistics.
• Conduct on-site inspections at construction sites.
• Analyze data gathered and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Speak publicly to make reports and informational presentations about planning and community development activities to citizen, business, and other interest groups.
• Clearly explaining policies, regulations, and procedures orally and in writing.
• Identify regulatory actions such as the creation of zoning code provisions or changes in the zoning map that implement the City's policies.
• Design documents to provide information to the public and/or to involve the public in planning issues.
• Draft ordinances and resolutions, which amend the City's policies and/or codes in minor ways.
• Prepare reports, including recommendations for the creation or amendment of policy and/or zoning.
• Work with organizations to facilitate their development of positions on planning related matters or in the development of their planning documents.
• Exemplify traits that reflect the City's culture, including integrity, customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility, and a willingness to change.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING/LICENSES:

• Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is not required but desired.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Responsibilities: Applicants with demonstrated education, training, or professional experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) may be assigned GIS-related responsibilities in addition to the core duties of the position. These duties are not required for consideration and will only be assigned if the selected candidate possesses the desired qualifications and experience. Such responsibilities may include:
  • Performing routine and complex technical work to develop, maintain, and support the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) for the Planning Division.
  • Participating on interdepartmental teams and collaborating with the Engineering Division's GIS/CAD Specialist on GIS projects and initiatives.
  • Creating, refining, and maintaining ArcGIS Online map services, web maps, and StoryMaps.
  • Researching, analyzing, designing, and developing GIS data, applications, and mapping solutions.
  • Developing, maintaining, and improving automated GIS systems and related information resources.
  • Assisting with short- and long-range GIS planning, analysis, and implementation.
  • Updating and maintaining GIS property, zoning, and land use data.

Candidates without GIS experience are encouraged to apply. GIS knowledge and experience are considered a desirable qualification and are not a minimum requirement for this position.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The position requires regular (80%+) ability to use dexterity and fine motor skills. Continuous (81% of the time) use of office equipment. The position requires minimal (5-20%) physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or movement, etc. Movements required to complete work are not difficult, and only require some degree of agility and hand eye coordination. The work environment is usually well-protected, with minimal hazards or obstacles (5-20%). There is little or minimal element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are usually comfortable, with minimal (5-20%) issues of confinement, temperature change, incident of noise, or interactions of a disagreeable nature, inside/outside work, dirty conditions, exposure to contagious disease, etc. Position may have minimal responsibility for driving.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervision of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Responsible for lead duties and may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel and may assign work to student workers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general direction of the Planning Manager.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required documents must be provided at the time of application. Please remove any personal information such as photographs, date of birth, gender, social security number, and other protected information from your documents. Documents containing protected information will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history check, driving record check (if driving is required for position), and education/certification verification. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.
• The City of McMinnville does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• Positions are subject to budget consideration and approval. For the candidate who is hired into this position, salary placement will be based on guidelines in the handbook or association agreement (as applicable) to assess education and experience. For this reason, please be sure to include everything in your application that you want considered towards placement.

The City of McMinnville only accepts applications through our online application system at We want you to be successful in applying with us. We highly encourage you to complete and submit your application in advance of the deadline. For technical assistance, please call (855) 524-5627.