Community Development Assistant Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

The Community Development Technician is a new role supporting operations within the City's Community Development Department. Under the direction of the Community Development Director and in collaboration with department staff, this position performs project-based administrative and technical support work across the Planning, Building, Code Compliance, Housing, Economic Development, and Special Projects functions of the department. This position focuses on defined projects with clear scope, timelines, and deliverables, including records modernization, archiving, data management, webpage updates, inventory maintenance, permit tracking, and operational housekeeping initiatives. The position also supports research, surveys, historic resource inventories, site visits, application development, and workflow improvement efforts intended to enhance departmental organization and efficiency.

The ideal candidate is an organized and adaptable individual who can support a variety of department functions, manage assigned projects through completion, and contribute to overall operational effectiveness through attention to detail, initiative, and willingness to assist across multiple Community Development disciplines.

The regular schedule for this position is part-time, approximately 20 hours per week. While this is a limited-duration position, it is expected to continue into the next fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2027, subject to funding and operational needs.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the recruitment may close early to begin the interview process. We encourage you to apply sooner rather than later to be considered.

• Provide flexible administrative and technical support across Community Development functions, including Planning, Building, Code Compliance, and Special Projects, and carry assigned projects and operational tasks through completion with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Conduct large-scale archiving, scanning, digitization, and records organization projects, including building permits, historic files, microfiche, planning records, and compliance documentation.
• Assist with modernization and updating of historic resource inventories, land use inventories, and related planning datasets.
• Support permit intake, tracking, file organization, and application workflow improvements.
• Assist with case tracking and documentation support for Code Compliance.
• Update and maintain Community Development webpages, forms, applications, and public-facing materials.
• Conduct research, data collection, surveys, and organizational tasks related to housing initiatives, site inventories, development projects, or departmental studies.
• Assist in creating or updating internal forms, applications, tracking tools, and workflow documents.
• Assist with special projects and operational initiatives intended to improve organization, efficiency, workflow, or departmental service delivery.
• Support GIS data cleanup, spreadsheet organization, digital filing improvements, and document management efforts.
• Conduct limited site visits or field verification tasks related to inventories or research assignments.
• Provide general administrative support, including file organization, database entry, scanning, correspondence drafting, and records management.
• Work collaboratively across divisions and under assigned project leads as directed by the CDD Director.
• Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.
• Follows all safety rules and procedures established for various work areas.
• Follows policies, procedures, and guidelines as described in the City of Astoria Personnel Manual and other documentation related to this position.

Knowledge

• Basic understanding of municipal government operations, planning, permitting, building, and code compliance functions, including a willingness to learn related processes and systems.
• Knowledge of office procedures, records management, and document organization.
• Familiarity with database systems, spreadsheets, and digital recordkeeping practices.
• Awareness of planning terminology, permit tracking systems, and municipal workflow processes.
• Understanding of public records retention principles and digital archiving standards.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage assigned projects and tasks through completion with attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Strong organizational skills, including maintaining accurate records, tracking data, and managing multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to research, organize, and synthesize information into clear and usable formats.
• Ability to identify organizational needs and support improvements to workflows, processes, and operational efficiency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn department software systems, including permitting, GIS, spreadsheet, and document management platforms.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing assignments, priorities, and departmental needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multiple divisions.
• Willingness to learn new systems, procedures, and Community Development functions while contributing positively in a team-oriented environment.

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. High school diploma or GED.
2. Two (2) years of administrative, technical, project support, or organizational experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions.
3. Basic computer proficiency and ability to learn department systems.
4. Post-job offer a background check (including state and federal criminal records, social security number trace, sex offender registry). If driving on City time, a motor vehicles records check will be included in the background check. 

1. Demonstrated interest in local government, planning, permitting, housing, or community development functions.
2. Coursework or degree in planning, public administration, geography, business, construction management, or a related field, with demonstrated interest in local government or community development functions.
3. Experience in a municipal planning, building, or code compliance environment.
4. Experience with records archiving, digitization, GIS, data management, inventory projects, or workflow/process improvements.
5. Familiarity with permit tracking software, document management systems, or related department technology platforms.

Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with occasional fieldwork or site visits related to inventories, records verification, or project assignments. Duties involve prolonged sitting, computer use, scanning, filing, data entry, and regular handling of records and documents. The employee may occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Noise levels are generally moderate, consistent with a business office setting.