Principal Planner
Deschutes County Bend, Oregon, United States
- Location: Bend, Oregon, United States
- Categories: Planning and Development
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Oct 31, 2025
Job Description:
Principal Planner
Description
SummaryABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department facilitates orderly growth and development in the Deschutes County community through coordinated programs of Building Safety, Code Compliance, Coordinated Services, Environmental Soils, Planning and education and service to the public.
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB:
This position provides the opportunity to supervise assigned personnel to achieve compliance with Deschutes County Code, state land use laws and interpret and explain land use regulations. This position will also research and analyze data for complex rural/urban planning projects as well as review and process applications for development projects.
The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public hearings in the evenings require attendance 2 to 3 times a month.
This position is anticipated to be focused on long-range planning, including land use policy with the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, community, and partner organizations. This position will oversee updates to the Comprehensive Plan and zoning regulations, coordinate regional planning projects, monitor legislative sessions, and serve on local, regional, and statewide committees, natural resources, growth management, and economic development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervises staff, assigns duties, evaluates performance, develops staff skills and coordinates training; and assures required deadlines are met.
- Reviews staff reports and land use decisions to ensure compliance with County regulations and policies.
- Perform skilled professional planning activities; uses knowledge of urban/rural planning and growth management theory, public policy, and land use law to review development plans and manage planning projects; analyzes data for planning projects, including zoning, ordinances, and traffic engineering and transportation planning.
Knowledge of or experience with:
- County, state, and federal laws, regulations and ordinances governing planning, zoning, code enforcement, building safety, municipal services, urban development, traffic engineering, and transportation planning.
- County land use and development regulations, zoning codes, and planning concepts and principles.
- Community development program planning and evaluation principles.
- Interpreting and applying complex development regulations, technical standards, review procedures, federal and state rules and regulations, and County policies and procedures.
- Analyzing issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.
Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.
Review the full job description by clicking HERE.
Compensation
$7,662.99 to $10,269.12 per month for a 172.67 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately.
BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Business or Public Administration;
- AND five (5) years of experience as a professional Planner;
- OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.
Necessary Special Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Preferred Qualifications :
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential.
Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.
Employer paid benefit offerings include:
- Life Insurance for employee and dependents
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
- Time Management Leave
- 125 Flexible Spending Program
- 457 Deferred Compensation Program
- Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance
Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific