[Hiring] Senior Planner @Lane County

Role Description

Lane County is seeking an experienced planning professional to join our team as a Senior Planner. This position serves as a lead resource on complex land use planning projects and plays a key role in shaping the future of our rural communities. The Senior Planner manages multiple high-profile planning initiatives, conducts advanced research and analysis, prepares findings and recommendations, and provides expert interpretation of land use regulations.

This position works at the intersection of policy, development, and public service, applying the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan, Land Code, and Oregon's statewide land use planning requirements to real-world projects and community needs. Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and approving land use applications
• Determining regulatory compliance
• Preparing staff reports and findings
• Presenting recommendations to decision-makers
• Representing the County before advisory committees, public hearings, and community groups

The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem-solver who can navigate complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and balance competing interests while advancing thoughtful, legally defensible planning outcomes.

If you are passionate about community planning, enjoy solving complex land use challenges, and want to help shape the future of Lane County, we encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the communities, natural resources, and landscapes that make Lane County unique.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in regional or urban planning or a related field
• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in city, county or regional planning, including one year of lead responsibility
• Knowledge and experience working with Oregon Land Conservation and Development Goals & Rules (preferred)
• Knowledge and experience processing Comprehensive Plan Amendments (preferred)
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that will demonstrate the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying

Requirements

• Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background.
• The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications.

Company Description

Lane County operates one of the premier land use programs in the state. Within Lane County there are:

• 35 rural communities
• 12 cities
• A large regional metropolitan planning area
• Millions of acres of farm and forest-zoned lands

Lane County stretches from the Coast to the Cascades and it is the only jurisdiction in the State of Oregon where all 19 Statewide Planning Goals are implemented. Strong development pressures and organized anti-development interests make Lane County an exciting and dynamic place to practice planning.