Urban Design Planner



Urban Design Planner

Salary

$74,110.40 - $79,060.80 Annually

Location

Eugene, OR

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

3267

Department

Planning & Development Department

Division

Planning Division

Opening Date

06/03/2022

Closing Date

7/11/2022 5:00 PM Pacific

General Statement of Duties

Do you want to help make the great City of Eugene, Oregon even more livable, prosperous, and equitable?
The City of Eugene Community Planning and Design team is looking for a positive, productive and collaborative individual to help us turn our community vision into reality. The successful candidate will enjoy providing service to the community, thrive in a team environment, and demonstrate adaptability to a dynamic and fast paced work environment. The Urban Design Planner position focuses on design and planning projects related to implementing Envision Eugene and other work to further our community vision of a compact, connected, livable Eugene for all. The position will also play a role in urban revitalization in support of the City’s goals for Downtown, the 5th Street Market District, and the Riverfront District, home of the World Athletics Championships Riverfront Festival in July 2022.


Application Deadline: Monday, July 11, 2022 at 5:00 pm PDT 
ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY 

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Depending upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities possessed by the successful applicant, this position may be filled as either a(n) Assistant or Associate Planner classification. 

 

Salary Range:  $65,104 - $84,240 Annually; $31.30 - $40.50 Hourly
Department/Division:  Planning and Development/Planning

Work Location: 99 W 10th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401

Must reside in the state of Oregon and be able to report onsite for work as needed in Eugene, OR to meet business needs. 

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility per business need 

 

The City of Eugene will follow all required COVID vaccinations, exceptions, and guidelines based on the essential functions of the position. 

 

What You Can Expect from Our Application Process: 
1. Submit your application materials. 
2. Your application is reviewed for relatable skills and experience that can be used to meet the minimum requirements of the role. 
3. Your application supplemental question answers are reviewed by at least two people to make sure that distinct lenses are used to evaluate your unique perspective and characteristics. Take your time on your answers, they are really important! 
4. Interview invites are extended. (There can be more than one round of interviews.) We use panel interviews where all interviewees are asked the exact same questions to provide the same opportunity to each candidate. 
5. Finalists are identified, and references and backgrounds are checked. 
6. Pay equity reviews are performed to avoid any pay gaps or inequities. Oregon Pay Equity Act (OPEA) 
7. Offers are made. 

 
Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete. 
 
Our recruiting goal is the find the best candidate to help us grow and serve.  In order to do that, we are very intentional and mindful throughout each element of the process.  We know that means a little more time to get to the end, but we believe that making sure each employee is in a role that they can succeed in is important to our community's success. 


About the Planning Team

The Envision Eugene process started in 2010 and sparked the formation of a cooperative and highly flexible team to meet the significant social, environmental, and economic challenges of our times. The Urban Growth Boundary was adopted into Eugene’s Comprehensive Plan in 2017, and a number of planning projects were launched to implement the City’s growth management goals, including a new growth monitoring program, urban reserves planning, and land use code updates to align our regulations with our collective desired future. Urban design staff published the Community Vision, Community Design Handbook, and Urban Form Plan, among other resources, to serve as a bridge between adopted policy and the community’s built form. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the team shifted to remote work and continued to support high priority projects like Middle Housing Code Amendments and Pre-Approved ADU plans.  


There is currently one Urban Design Planner position on the planning team. This position plays a key role in helping implement Envision Eugene and manages a variety of projects or project components in the field of urban design and planning, including area/district/neighborhood planning, corridor and transit-oriented development planning, research and technical analysis, and new programs and regulations. 


Living & Working in Eugene 

For more information on living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more, visit this page.

Examples of Duties Performed - Duties may include but are not limited to the following

  • Serve as the City’s lead urban design reviewer for downtown housing and mixed-use projects seeking property tax exemptions through the City’s multi-unit property tax exemption program (MUPTE).
  • Work with City staff and design professionals to create pre-approved plans and guides for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and middle housing types including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and cottage clusters. 
  • Promote the City’s design resources such as the Community Design Handbook to developers, designers, and community partners such as AIA, ASLA, and the Homebuilders.
  • Attend project consultations as needed and staff design consultations to promote design excellence for all project types and scales within the city. 
  • Serve on multi-disciplinary project teams creating land use plans focused on walkable, mixed-use districts followed by drafting new, hybrid form-based codes to implement the plans.
  • Assist with Historic Review Board and preservation planning activities, grants, and land use application review.
  • Support the Planning team with planning and design research, analysis, writing, editing, and illustrations required to complete a variety of planning projects.  
  • Support Community Development downtown team on streetscape and façade improvements and grant application review.
  • Support Transportation Planning staff on long-term streetscape design solutions to transform the pedestrian realm of key commercial streets.
  • Support the design of public buildings, plazas, and community gathering places through an internal design review program.
  • Conduct public engagement with the broader community, stakeholders, partner agencies, other City staff, local boards and commissions, equity panels, and underrepresented groups to accomplish these projects. 
  • Potential to serve on public art committee, work on placemaking projects, and assist with neighborhood events and art projects as well as other city initiatives depending on skills, experience, capacity, and interest. 
 All work is part of a larger planning team with guidance from a Senior Planner and the Community Planning and Design Principal Planner.

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please review the classification specifications for: Assistant Planner and Associate Planner.

Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Studies have shown that women and people of color 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 with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.  The ideal candidate possesses a mix of knowledge, skills and abilities that includes:

  • Organize and manage complex tasks or projects to completion, including creatively negotiating barriers, within a fixed timeframe.
  • Develop and communicate effective urban design solutions to address diverse needs and interests from small-scale (site design) to regional scale (master plans).
  • Work proficiently with and between current design-related software programs, such as Adobe Suite, SketchUp, AutoCAD, and GIS to produce attractive, professional-quality graphic products in print and digital media.
  • Familiarity with the methods and economics of urban development, housing production and redevelopment, including financial feasibility and key barriers and challenges.
  • Efficiently and thoroughly conduct research on urban design, land use planning, and development using current methods. 
  • Clearly and confidently organize and communicate complex information with a wide variety of audiences, including oral presentations, technical writing, and visual communication.
  • Understand and apply a wide range of land use-related City, State, and Federal plans and regulations in both policy and regulatory situations, with special emphasis on implementing long-term community visions.
  • Effectively coordinate and facilitate public events and meetings. Understanding of and experience conducting public design charrettes and workshops is a plus.
  • Work well with a variety of people, including development interests, property owners, and community groups in challenging situations.
Minimum Requirements: 
Combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum qualifications will be considered.  Relevant professional level experience may be substituted for educational requirements on a year for year basis.  Relevant high-level or complex administrative support and/or paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the required years of educational training on a two for one year basis.  

Experience
  • At least 3 years of professional experience in design, architecture, landscape architecture, or city planning for an Associate level position, and 1 year for an Assistant level position.
Education 
  • Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, or a closely related field.  A Master’s degree in a planning-related field is desirable for an Associate Planner. 
MUST PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK  

Supplemental Information

Eligibility ListThis posting may also be used to establish an eligibility list of applicants for future vacancies. Candidates that are placed on the eligibility list will be notified via email which will include the duration of the list and how notification of call up will occur.  

Retirement Program: Upon eligibility, the City will contribute an employee contribution of 6%, as well as the employer contribution, to a retirement program administered by the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). In addition, the City will pay a 3% contribution to a deferred compensation program if the employee contributes at least 1%.     

Selection Process: Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Applicants selected to continue in the process will be notified within two-three weeks after the posting deadline. 


Current information about the status of a job posting is available by going to www.eugene-or.gov/jobs and selecting "Job Posting Status". 

 

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061. 

  

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States. 

  

The City of Eugene is committed to a Respectful Work Environment, we value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.  Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 



If a job posting indicates this position is temporary (not limited duration) then the employee serves at will. Temporary employees do not receive benefits through the City of Eugene unless required by City, State or Federal code/statute.

Salary and Benefits
The normal starting salary is the first step shown on the posting. Other placement in the salary range may be considered depending on qualifications and experience. Periodic advancement through the salary range is dependent upon merit. The City provides a full range of benefits, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, retirement benefits, deferred compensation, physical examination, life insurance, and long-term disability. Health, dental, and vision benefits are available.

To view a summary of benefits and/or benefit premium rates click the respective link. Click here to view information about Total Worker Health.

01
The supplemental questionnaire is scored and will be used to determine if you will proceed to the next phase of the selection process. Provide detailed answers to each question. Please do not reference your resume or application in your responses.
  • I understand.
02
Please describe your professional strengths, including how they align with the job responsibilities of the Urban Design Planner.
03
Describe your experience working with diverse communities and underrepresented groups. How do you view the role of urban design in advancing equity in Eugene?
04
What is your experience with current digital tools and technology related to the urban design and planning field? Please attach a portfolio – at least three (3) work samples – that you feel best represent your most outstanding design and visual communication capabilities, and that show how to apply the methods and tools of urban design to creatively address complex planning challenges. Clearly describe your role in each project.

Required Question

Agency
City of Eugene
Address
City of Eugene, Employee Resource Center
100 W. 10th Ave. Ste. 400
Eugene, Oregon, 97401
Phone
(541) 682-5061