Planner w/ Otak (pdx)

chj.tbe.taleo.net/chj05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=OTAK&cws=1&rid=826
Description
Are you interested in all aspects of planning? Are you curious and inquisitive? Are you excited about understanding the intersections between private development and public planning?

The natural and built environments continually face challenges related to growth and the quality of our communities. Our planners and urban designers are experts at working with our public and private clients to envision a desired future and creating distinct places with enduring value. Otak’s sustainable and practical designs help ensure viability and livability for years to come.

We are looking to hire a Planner for our Portland office. You will work in a highly collaborative team environment on a variety of long range planning, land development, and land use permitting projects for both private and public sector clients. These projects are typically located in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This position will also involve collaboration with our long-range planning team in pursuit of sub-area plans, comprehensive plans and public planning efforts.

What you’ll do:

• Provide support for current land use and development applications
• Provide support for long range planning projects
• Participate in public engagement efforts for public-sector projects
• Prepare land use and development application compliance reports to explain how a proposed project complies with the approval criteria of the reviewing jurisdiction
• Conduct analysis and prepare reports, studies, and correspondence as needed
• Develop project implementation strategies
• Give presentations at neighborhood meetings and public hearings
• Give advice, guidance, and recommendations to property owners and developers regarding planning, zoning, and subdivision matters
• Meet with developers and review agencies regarding potential development proposals
• Work with clients to identify and develop business opportunities
• Work with co-workers and other consultants to develop proposals, project reports, and presentations.
• Research best management practices

What you bring:

• Must have at least 2 years of professional work-related planning experience in land use and/or land development permitting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography, or related field is required; Masters Degree is preferred.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite is preferred
• Understanding of Oregon and Washington land use law and practices
• Experience with land development or planning projects in the Pacific Northwest is highly preferred
• Ability to represent Otak and our clients in public meetings and hearings

Why work for Otak?
You’ll find Otak is different from any other A&E firm. We imagine, plan, and create exceptional places that add to the communities where we live, work, and enjoy life. Our planning, design, engineering, architectural, and project management professionals take their responsibility to future generations seriously. We value sustainability, social equity, and community involvement.

Our staff is connected, engaged, and fulfilled in their professional and personal life. Giving back to the community is rewarded (you can earn extra PTO for volunteer days). We have a sense of community and collaborative spirit in both our professional and personal lives. (You might find yourself at a Wine-down Wednesday or an office camping trip.) We laugh about it, but if Otak were a car, it’d most likely be a Subaru: adventurous, dependable, and fun with a loyal and spirited following.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Otak is leaning in on diversity through our Equity and Inclusion initiative. We are actively exploring ways to accelerate professional and leadership advancement for women and the under-represented. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individual with a disability where appropriate.

​Sound like a place you’d like to spend some time and advance your career? Join us! Apply online and include a cover letter that sells your skills with your resume.