Planner II/III

Summary

Discover Medford: Employment, Applicant Support, and Benefits within Our Vibrant City

The City of Medford is seeking a planning professional to join our team as a Planner II or III. Whether you're looking to deepen your experience in long-range comprehensive planning or thrive in the fast-paced world of current planning and development, this role offers the opportunity to do meaningful, community-shaping work in a collaborative environment. You’ll engage with city staff, elected officials, and the public to guide responsible growth, interpret and shape policy, and support projects that impact residents citywide.

The ideal candidate is analytical, well-organized, and comfortable navigating complex or sometimes controversial topics with composure and clarity. If you're ready to contribute your expertise to a city that's growing and evolving, we’d love to hear from you.

Required Education and Experience:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; and

Planner II, requires two (2) years (Planner III, requires three (3) years) of professional planning experience, preferably in the public sector.

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, or other specific area of study as deemed applicable, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Available Schedules:

8 hours daily, Monday - Friday

Opportunity for alternate schedule after the first 90-days:

9-80 (nine-hour workdays with a three-day weekend every other week)

Compensation & Information on Benefits

This position is part of the AFSCME employee group.

Learn more about our benefits HERE.

Effective July 1, 2025, the salary schedule shall be increased by a 2.0% salary adjustment,

plus a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Healthcare Benefits:

Medical, vision and dental benefits for employee and family, paid at 100% by the City with the opportunity to buy-up to a lower deductible plan

Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance – policy value of $50,000 paid by the City

Long-term disability insurance provided by the City

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA-VEBA) contributions provided by the City

Retirement Benefits:

Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) lifetime pension after retirement at no cost to employee

PERS is 100% fully paid as the City pays both the employer and the employee’s (6%) contributions

Deferred Compensation retirement plan (Section 457 Plan) for employee's retirement planning

Additional Benefits:

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The City’s Wellness Program promotes physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and environmental wellness with various goals and challenges to participate in throughout the year. Employees may qualify for wellness incentives by completing milestones set within the program up to $200 annually

Access to the City's fully equipped fitness center 24/7

Examples of Job Duties

Essential Functions of the Position:

Prepares and reviews a variety of written plans, studies, staff reports and Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Reviews, analyzes and processes development permits, plans, maps and related documents to completion; makes change recommendations.

Reviews reports and consults with department staff on project review issues.

Assists the public with inquiries and requests for information regarding the planning process, code standards, layout and design issues and environmental standards such as floodplain and riparian requirements.

Serves as department representative and gives presentations to committees, commissions and the public.

Assists in the research and development of City planning policies and procedures as required.

Assist with researching, applying for, and managing grant opportunities.

Scope of the assigned area will depend on departmental and/or citywide operational structure and is at the discretion of the Planning Director.

Other Functions of the Position:

Performs other duties as assigned to support the overall function of the department and organizational goals.

Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.

Handles job stress and interacts effectively with others in the workplace.

Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.

Is an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.

Competencies:

Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information. They take responsibility for ensuring that their peers and supervisors have the current and accurate information needed for success.

Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances. They can demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation and continue performing steadily and effectively.

Customer Orientation - Effective performers attend to customers in a timely manner. They view the organization through the eyes of the customer and go out of their way to anticipate and meet customer needs. They continually seek information and understanding regarding market trends.

Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers can identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment. They isolate causes from symptoms, and compile information and alternatives to illuminate problems or issues. They involve others as appropriate and gather information from a variety of sources. They find a balance between studying the problem and solving it. They readily commit to action and make decisions that reflect sound judgment.

Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented. They identify with the larger organizational team and their role within it. They share resources, respond to requests from other parts of the organization, and support larger legitimate organizational agendas as more important than local or personal goals.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Performs work indoors in an office environment with regulated and minimal environmental conditions. This role may involve time spent sitting at a desk. The noise level is typically minimal to medium. When fieldwork is required, you will be exposed to the elements (rain, heat, cold) and work within congested traffic areas. The outside work environment can include walking on uneven terrain. This environment may also include interactions with the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. This position may require extended periods of standing, walking, and sitting. The employee must be able to crouch, bend, stoop, twist, turn, and balance. The employee regularly operates office equipment, including computers, printers, copy machines, calculators, and telephones. Good eyesight, hearing, and dexterity are required.

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT (Please read):

It is important your application shows all the relevant experience you possess.

Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application; an application will be considered incomplete with a "see resume" response.

Please complete the application and answer the supplemental questions thoroughly to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience as we compare applicants.

How to Apply:

Applications are only accepted online and must be received by the posted closing date/time.

Selection procedures and timelines subject to change.

Those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country.

Use of AI-Generated Content in Employment Applications

Employment with the City of Medford can be competitive, often there are many qualified applicants for each open position. We want to see application materials that reflect an applicant’s unique personality and that accurately reflect their experience. The use of AI-generated content to complete employment applications and/or supplemental questions is discouraged and may result in disqualification. Each submission will be verified for originality and authenticity. However, AI tools for grammar checking and resume formatting are permitted.

Hiring will be subject to successful completion of the following:

Criminal history background investigation

Favorable driving record

Clear drug screen following federal law

Professional reference check

Questions or Assistance:

If you have questions about the job posting, please contact the Human Resources department at .

For technical assistance completing your online application, please contact Government Jobs at .

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VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference during the hiring and/or promotional selection process. As verification of eligibility, a Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) must be uploaded with the online employment application. Disabled veterans must also upload a copy of the veteran's disability preference letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:

The City of Medford is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

ADA:

The City of Medford complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you consider yourself disabled and require assistance in the application process, please contact or email: .