Planning Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $65,968.00 - $92,378.00 Annually
Location : 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, OR
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 202600039
Division: Planning & Public Affairs
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 04/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
The mission of the District is toequitably reduce flood risk and prepare for and respond to flood emergencies by maintaining levees, conveying water when necessary, and finding innovative and nature-based ways to live with more water around us while supporting community safety and the region's economic vitality, contributing to the health of the river and watershed, planning for a more climate-resilient future, and promoting equity in all we do.
The District manages the flood safety system in northern Multnomah County. The system reduces flood risk for 8,000 residents, 60,000 businesses, 2,000 acres of natural habitat, and critical services such as Portland International Airport and the region's secondary supply of drinking water from being flooded by the Columbia River.
Job Description
This position is open from Wednesday, April 22nd until filled. To be considered for first review, applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 10. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
The Flood Safety District is seeking a Planning Assistant to support impactful planning work that helps build safer, more resilient communities in the Portland Metro area!
The Planning Assistant will participate in a variety of interdisciplinary strategic and infrastructure planning initiatives, long-range and action plans, and support permitting and planning functions within the Flood Safety District. This position will be involved in plan development, research and updates, and providing general planning support across the organization. This role involves community outreach and engagement to gather input and ensure inclusive planning processes, support for projects and planning related to natural resource enhancement and other planning functions, and performing research and analysis to inform plan revisions and updates.
Examples of Duties
General Planning Support

• Provide coordination and analytical support for planning initiatives, including strategic plans, long-range plans, and infrastructure planning efforts.
• Conduct research and compile data related to planning initiatives, including demographic trends, economic conditions, environmental data, and best practices.
• Analyze data and prepare clear and concise reports and presentations summarizing findings.
• Collaborate effectively with other departments within the agency to ensure alignment of planning efforts with organizational goals.
• Assist with meeting scheduling, coordination, agenda preparation, and documenting planning discussions and decisions.
• Track project deliverables, schedules, and reporting deadlines.
• Assist with preparation of formal reports, memos, grant documentation, presentations, and other planning documents.
• Support planning, real estate, and natural resource projects through coordination, analysis, and other project support.

Agencywide Permitting and Environmental Support:

• Support routine operations, capital project development, and other initiatives with general permitting and regulatory compliance support.
• Assist staff in tracking permit requirements and compiling materials needed for permit applications and reporting.

Duties Applying to All Employees:
It is the duty of all employees to:

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Strive to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization.
• Apply an equity lens to your work to ensure barriers to participation are removed for all;
• Comply with public records requirements and other District policies.
• Perform the duties assigned during an emergency.
• Complete required Incident Command System training within a planned timeframe of hire, to be specified by the District.
• Remain within a 10-hour response time during the District's Partial Emergency Activation or as specified by the Executive Director.
• Work well with community and be a strong ambassador for the District.
• Exemplify the workplace safety culture.
• Create a culture that promotes respect, inclusion, and equity for the diversity of all people in our workforce and community.
• Participate in the development, monitoring, and management of the division's budget and related business function expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational priorities.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• General principles of planning including plan development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research, data analysis, and report writing.
• Basic understanding of environmental regulatory programs at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.

Ability to:

• Independently manage time, organize workload, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize the work of a team in a changing environment.
• Show initiative in performing job functions andmanagetasks and time effectively to meet multiple schedules and timelines.
• Communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively, both verbally and in writing. Prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents. Communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Learn and develop content expertise to fulfill the job duties and support the District's mission. Gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and make sound recommendations.
• Create positive relationships and work environments: Create a work environment thatfosters teamwork and collaboration. Maintain cooperative working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and members of the public. Facilitate inclusive participation.
• Support andparticipateineffective and inclusive meetings with District staff, stakeholders, and partner agencies.
• Proficiency in standard business software including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Pro.

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, regional planning, public policy, environmental planning, or a closely related field or similar field, or equivalent training or experience to gain expertise that supports the essential duties and responsibilities.
• One (1) to two (2) years directly related experience. Any combination of relevant training and experience may be accepted at the discretion of the hiring supervisor.

Preferred skills & qualifications:

• Experience with public sector planning and/or infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with natural resource management, environmental permitting, or watershed programs.
• Familiarity with GIS, parcel data, or spatial mapping tools.
• Basic understanding of real estate records, property ownership, easements, or title research.
• Familiarity with document tracking systems or project coordination tools.
• Familiarity with emergency management and the Incident Command System.

Supplemental Information
Working Environment
This position requires sitting at a computer, occasional lifting of boxes of documents. This position is not considered safety sensitive. This position is expected to work 5 days a week, fulltime and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hours may vary but should generally fall between 7:30am and 5:30pm. Some travel may be required to attend conferences and events. Occasional weekend and evening shifts may be required.
This position may have business-related driving to various locations in support of departmental operations and assignments.
Compensation: Our organization adheres to established salary ranges for each position to ensure equitable pay practices in compliance with the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements. However, final offers are determined based on various factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and considerations of internal pay equity. Unless a candidate's qualifications justify, the appointment will likely be made between $65,968 and $79,173 annually to preserve room for future growth.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Please contact Tracy Olmedo at (503) 281-5675 or for any questions on accessibility or accommodation during the hiring process
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' Preference when applying for the District positions. If you are a veteran and would like to request Veterans' Preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents (Copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214 or 215; Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's Disability Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with your application submittal in the attachments section. Documentation must be received by the closing date and time of this recruitment for the applicant to receive Veterans' Preference.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
This position is not represented.
This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on employment status.
Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District strives to provide its employees with a comprehensive, equitable, and cost-effective benefits package in recognition of the influence employment benefits have on their economic and personal welfare.
Benefits are generally available to all regular full-time and part-time employees, whether exempt, or non-exempt, unless otherwise stated in a particular benefit plan.
Seasonal employees are not eligible for benefits, other than paid sick time accrual benefit and paid vacation accrual benefit equal to a rate of two (2) weeks per year. These benefits will be pro-rated based on the number of hours worked.
Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
UFSWQD currently offers health, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage to employees who meet specific eligibility criteria and their dependents.
Retirement
As a public agency, UFSWQD participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
Employees hired into qualifying positions on or after August 29, 2003, and who meet certain requirements are members of OPSRP.
OPSRP is a hybrid (defined contribution/defined benefit) pension plan with two components: the Pension Program (defined benefit plan) and the Individual Account Program (defined contribution plan). UFSWQD contributes to the OPSRP system in accordance to PERS requirements.
For specific information about eligibility and plan details, please call 503-598-7377 or go to www.oregon.gov/PERS.
Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
UFSWQD offers voluntary tax-deferred compensation plan to its eligible employees.
Vacation Benefit
All full-time and regularly scheduled part-time employees are eligible for vacation based on the schedule below. Relevant experience prior to work at UFSWQD will be determined by the hiring manager. You will earn vacation benefits according to the following schedule for full-time vacation accruals, unless otherwise determined by the Executive Director:

• Years of Relevant Experience: 0 through end of year 5
  • Monthly Accrual: 6.67 hours
  • Days per Year: 10 days
  • Hours per Year: 80 hours
• Years of Relevant Experience: 6 through end of year 10
  • Monthly Accrual: 10 hours
  • Days per Year: 15 days
  • Hours per Year: 120 hours
• Years of Relevant Experience: 11 through end of year 15
  • Monthly Accrual: 12 hours
  • Days per Year: 18 days
  • Hours per Year: 144 hours
• Years of Relevant Experience: 16 through end of year 20
  • Monthly Accrual: 13.33 hours
  • Days per Year: 20 days
  • Hours per Year: 160 hours
• Years of Relevant Experience: 21 through end of year 25
  • Monthly Accrual: 14.67 hours
  • Days per Year: 22 days
  • Hours per Year: 176 hours
• Years of Relevant Experience: 26+ years
  • Monthly Accrual: 16.67 hours
  • Days per Year: 25 days
  • Hours per Year: 200 hours

Sick Leave
Regular employees receive 8 hours of paid sick leave per month for full-time employment and a prorated amount for part-time employment. Temporary and seasonal employees are able to earn and utilize up to 40 hours per year of sick leave.
Family Medical Leave
In accordance with federal and state law, and the UFSWQD policy for medical leave, UFSWQD grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons.
Transportation and Wellness Benefit
UFSWQD offers a Transportation and Wellness benefit program that provides incentives and subsidies to employees who commute to work using environmentally sustainable transportation methods such as bicycling and public transit, as well as employees who are engage in activities to improve their mental and physical health. This benefit is available to all employees, regardless of classification.
Paid Holiday Benefit
UFSWQD observes the following holidays each year, and our offices are officially closed on these days: