Design & Permitting Planner

Port of Portland; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid schedule

Job summary

The Port of Portland is seeking a Design & Permitting Planner to support land use, facility development, and operational enhancements. You will communicate technical findings and recommendations that guide the Site and Facility Design team through design studies, design reviews, and tenant construction.

This hybrid role collaborates with engineers and designers to advance the PDX Terminal Design Standards, influence tenant interiors and site concepts, and uphold accessibility and safety.

Qualifications

• Two (2+) years of experience in Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
• Bachelor's in Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
• Or equivalent combination of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the tenant improvement team by acting as intake specialist and coordinating with Senior Manager on project assignments.
• Administering the Port's Design Review process for airport tenant developments (concessionaires, airlines, government agencies).
• Assisting with processing Tenant Permit applications and organizing paperwork.

Skills

Architectural terminology

Project execution

Interior design principles

Construction techniques

CAD/drafting

Communication skills

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning/Architecture/Interior Design

Equivalent combination of relevant experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM software

Job description

The Port of Portland is hiring a Design & Permitting Planner.

We are seeking a collaborative professional who would be responsible for planning and design to support land use, facility development, and operational enhancements. This role would communicate technical findings and recommendations that support the Site and Facility Design team through design studies, design review, and tenant construction processes.

Do you love the new design of Portland International Airport? Do you arrive early to enjoy the local businesses, and experience firsthand the spaces crafted to make every passenger’s journey exceptional. Join our team to influence the future of PDX.
In this role, you'll support the Site and Facility Design department — the group responsible for the PDX Terminal Design Standards that define our signature look and feel. You'll influence tenant designs to ensure PDX continues to deliver its renowned, high-quality passenger experience.
You’ll collaborate with passionate colleagues who care deeply about wayfinding, accessibility, and the human experience. You'll partner with talented engineers across the Port to develop design concepts that shape how millions of people experience our spaces.
If you're curious about what it truly means to be a building owner — to steward a complex, beloved public facility — this is the role that will show you. It's a chance to make a meaningful impact in a place people love.

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that combines work-life balance with team collaboration. You'll be in the office Tuesday through Thursday to engage with colleagues and support our business lines, with the flexibility to work from home on Mondays and Fridays as business needs allow.

• Provide support to the tenant improvement team by:
  • Acting as intake specialist, sharing process information to incoming project teams and working with Senior Manager on project assignments.
  • Administering the Port's formal Design Review process for airport tenant developments, including concessionaires, airlines, and government agencies.
  • Assisting the Tenant Construction Coordinator with processing Tenant Permit applications and organizing paperwork.
• Design Studies: Prepare design materials associated with marketing proposals, leasing negotiations, and land acquisitions.
• Prepare materials for Port customer needs and perform site analysis and concept studies for prospective customers.
• Develop concept plans illustrating project function and alternatives, with sufficient detail to support cost estimating and business case development.
• Serve as a liaison between the Port and external partners.
• Provide information, participate on committees, and evaluate proposed tenant interior and site developments while representing Port interests.
• Support preparation of materials related to fire and life safety, including evacuation maps and the Fire Life Safety Master Plan.
• Provide graphics for signage requests in compliance with the signage masterplan.

Preferred Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2+) years of experience in Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
• Bachelor'sin Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, or related field.
  • Or equivalent combination of relevant experience.
• (Required) Successful clearance of a pre-employment background check (Airport Security Badging- Escort)

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Intermediate- Architectural terminology.

• Entry- Project execution methodologies and building codes, including ADA standards.
• Entry- Interior design principles and detailing, sustainability practices, exterior envelope detailing, and space planning.
• Entry- Construction techniques and terminology, computer-aided drafting techniques, and drawing collaboration software.
• Entry- Applying effective, professional written/ oral communications, and preparing graphic material for presentations.
• Entry- Producing, editing, and formatting professional-quality documents using current office applications.

Selection Process (Tentative Schedule):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of October 19, 2026.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

3. Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation on November 6, 2026. Panel Interviews will be held on November 17, 2026.