Associate Planner

dppl; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid time off

Holidays

IMRF

Job summary

City of Des Plaines seeks a planning professional to advance development reviews, enforce zoning, and support ordinance administration. The role coordinates across departments and participates in public hearings to ensure regulatory alignment with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and development patterns.

The position requires strong planning knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects, with occasional evening meetings and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Course work toward a degree in urban planning or closely related field.
• Degree in urban planning or related field preferred;
• Prior internship or municipal planning experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review development plans for zoning compliance and consistency.
• Review building permit applications for zoning compliance.
• Prepare staff reports and present at public hearings.
• Coordinate with other departments to resolve information/records requests and zoning issues.
• Assist drafting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Code.
• Develop plans for land use including streets, parks, and districts.
• Represent the department at local, county, state meetings.

Skills

Urban planning

Zoning procedures

GIS knowledge

Technical writing

Communication

Project coordination

Public speaking

Professional demeanor

Education

Urban planning degree (in progress)

Urban planning degree or related field

Job description

COMPENSATION:

• Expected Starting Salary: $73,440 - $88,000.
• Salary Range: $73,440 - $102,635
• Actual salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position performs a variety of complex tasks in coordinating and facilitating the progression of development projects through the City’s development review process, supports the administration and enforcement of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Works under the guidance and direction of the Assistant Director – Planning, Zoning, & Licensing Division.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews development plans and proposals as assigned to ensure compliance with the various provisions of the City's regulations, consistency with existing zoning, and conditions of previous zoning approvals.
• Reviews building permit applications to ensure zoning compliance.
• Prepares staff reports and makes presentations for public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Board.
• Conducts routine studies pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning changes, and other current planning matters where the information to be gathered is factual and objective in character.
• Conducts pre-application meetings with homeowners, architects, and commercial developers.
• Explains zoning projects and answers questions to the general public.
• Resolves and/or coordinates with other departments to resolve information/records requests, zoning verification letters, zoning violations, neighbor disputes, and service requests.
• Assists with drafting text amendments to the City's Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Code that align with the development patterns and characteristics of specific areas of the City and reflect the conditions of approval for the zoning project.
• Participates in the creation of plans for land use, including layout of streets, parks, location of businesses, industrial and residential areas, and transportation facilities.
• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the profession; represents the department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Course work in progress toward a degree from a four-year college or university related to urban planning or a closely related field;
• Degree from a four-year college or university related to urban planning or a closely related field preferred; and
• Prior experience including internships or employment in municipal community development and/or urban planning preferred.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of urban and suburban development and planning principles, practices, and techniques;
• Knowledge of subdivision and professional planning and zoning procedures;
• Knowledge of landscape architecture or urban design principles and practices as they apply to properly assessing planning projects;
• Working knowledge of the methods and techniques of statistics and technical writing standards as applied to planning studies;
• Working knowledge of GIS applications;
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing with employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, City officials, and the general public;
• Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate, monitor, and implement multiple planning programs and projects simultaneously;
• Ability to represent the City in a professional manner at all times;
• Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
• This exempt position must have the ability to work the hours City Hall is open and may be required to attend City Council and/or Board meetings in the evenings from time-to-time. On occasion, this position may need to travel and attend evening meetings as required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• A valid State of Illinois Class “D” Driver’s License is required.
• Certified Planner designation (AICP) through the American Institute of Certified Planners is desirable.

EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer and various programs, telephone, copying machine, audio-visual equipment, and automobile.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is predominantly performed in an office setting where the noise level is usually quiet. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites where the noise level will be moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to inclement weather, including wet and/or humid conditions; or airborne particles.

BENEFITS

Check out our incredible benefits package!

• Comprehensive Healthcare: We’ve got you covered with medical, dental, and optical insurance options tailored to fit your needs—offering low deductibles, low premiums, and an overall low cost to you and your family.
• Generous paid vacation, personal, and sick leave for a balanced work-life experience.
• Paid holidays to enjoy special moments throughout the year.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance for peace of mind.
• Participation in the prestigious Illinois Municipal Employee Retirement System (IMRF).

Plus, as a member of the City of Des Plaines team, you get access to exciting financial benefits:

• Retirement Health Savings Account
• Transportation Spending Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Roth IRA
• Optional additional Life Insurance

This benefits package ensures your well-being, security, and a bright future!

The City may begin reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews as applications are received.

The position remains open until filled.