ASSISTANT PLANNER

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston’s Planning & Development Department is seeking an entry-level Assistant Planner who will assist residents and property owners with neighborhood planning and preservation programs, and prepare research, maps, notices, and case materials for public decision‑making.

Under close supervision, you will develop technical skills in GIS, zoning analyses, and public engagement, while building judgment and independence to manage routine assignments and support a dynamic planning team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, geography, public policy or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and basic GIS knowledge.
• Familiarity with planning principles and public engagement processes.

Responsibilities

• Receive and review applications and communicate missing materials clearly.
• Maintain electronic case files, trackers, and quality-control records.
• Explain program requirements to residents and stakeholders and coordinate meetings.

Skills

Planning principles

Written & verbal communication

Microsoft Office

ArcGIS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

You are invited to bring your passion for public service and improving the Houston community to the Planning and Development Department as an Assistant Planner. Join a dynamic Planning team that is actively working to improve the built and social environments of Houston. The work we do has a lasting impact on the future of our city.

Houston is a place where the cost of living is more than 25% below the top 20 metro average, and with no state income tax, home ownership is very achievable. As the fourth largest and most ethnically diverse city in the U.S., Houston has first-class access to medical care, recreation, food, festivals, sports, museums, and the performing arts.

The City of Houston’s Planning & Development Department is a key player in the mayor’s efforts to improve public safety and infrastructure, enhance the quality of life, and maintain an efficient government that works for more than 2 million residents. Much like Houston itself, we are a culturally diverse team that is committed to improving Houston’s built environment. Our team draws and retains passionate, curious, lifelong learners, and big‑picture thought leaders who make a difference every day by balancing the needs and interests of the community we serve. We strive to operate as a customer‑focused, goal‑oriented, and efficient organization. We treat ourselves, our partners, and our customers with respect while placing continuous learning at the center of our operations.

POSITION PROFILE

The Community and Regional Planning team is seeking an early‑career planner who is organized, curious, and committed to public service. The Assistant Planner will help residents and property owners navigate neighborhood planning and preservation programs, move applications through clear and timely processes, and produce accurate research, maps, notices, and case materials for public decision‑making. This is an entry‑level professional planning role with meaningful public contact. The position works under close‑to‑moderate supervision while building the judgement, technical skills, and municipal planning knowledge needed to manage routine assignments with increasing independence.

Primary Responsibilities

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Receive and review applications, conduct initial intake, confirm required materials, and communicate clearly about missing or incomplete information.
• Maintain complete electronic case files, status trackers, milestone dates, correspondence, calculations, and quality‑control records.
• Monitor deadlines and promptly elevate conflicts, unusual facts, or policy questions to the assigned planner or manager.

Community Engagement and Customer Service

• Explain program requirements, timelines, roles, and next steps in plain language to residents, property owners, applicants, civic groups, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to telephone, email, virtual, and in‑person inquiries accurately, courteously, and within established service standards.
• Help plan, coordinate, and staff community meetings, public hearings, workshops, and applicant consultations, including occasional evening or weekend assignments.

Research, Mapping, and Analysis

• Compile information from City systems, public records, adopted plans, ordinances, appraisal‑district records, geographic data, and other credible sources.
• Prepare and quality‑check GIS maps, boundary exhibits, parcel lists, tables, basic calculations, and other graphical representations of planning data.
• Analyze routine development patterns, neighborhood conditions, public responses, and program metrics; summarize findings for staff review.

Team and Operational Support

• Participate in cross‑training, standard operating procedure updates, records management, website‑content review, and continuous‑improvement projects.
• Balance multiple assignments, communicate workload risks early, and assist other planners with projects of varying complexity.
• Perform other duties consistent with the Assistant Planner classification and business‑unit needs.

DESIRED EMPLOYEE ATTRIBUTES

Specific Job Skills

• Knowledge of planning principles and practices, excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office with some ArcGIS experience.

Preferred Personality Traits

• Self‑driven, results‑oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and customer service; a natural forward‑thinking planner who critically assesses their own performance; mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with mid to high executive levels and politicians; reliable, tolerant, and determined; empathic communicator, able to see things from the other person's point of view; well‑presented and businesslike; keen for new experience, responsibility and accountability; able to work well with others and be a team‑player.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditioning.

This is a Planning and Development Department Position at the Tier III Level.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires basic knowledge of planning principles and practices. Knowledge of this level is typically obtained through a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geography, Public Policy or an equivalent in‑depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

Experience Requirements

No experience required.

PREFERENCES

• Bilingual speakers
• Applicants with ability to demonstrate knowledge of planning and transportation principles and excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Novice in ArcGIS, and Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines; adapts well to changes
• Demonstrated success working with diverse clientele.
• Should have an interest in how properties are planned for development. Development includes property acquisition, subdivision, and construction.
• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1‑6.

Selection/Skills Tests Required

The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. The department may administer a skill assessment.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

No

Salary Information

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade

15

EOE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.