Housing Acceleration Planner

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is excited to announce an opportunity for an experienced local government planner to join our Housing Division as a Housing Planner 3. This position plays a central role in the implementation of Statewide Planning Goal 10 – Housing including providing subject matter expert support to local governments completing Contextualized Housing Need analyses, Housing Capacity Analyses, Housing Production Strategy reports, and in administering the Housing Acceleration Program. This role serves as a primary technical and policy resource for local governments, drawing on your on-the-ground experience in planning practice to help communities develop and adopt clear, implementable housing policies. This requires the ability to interpret and apply Oregon statute and Oregon Administrative Rules related to Statewide Planning Goal 10 – Housing. The incumbent will help local governments understand these obligations and support them through implementation. Important for this role is the ability to research and analyze housing barriers generally as well as those specifically faced by historically and currently underserved communities, and to support local governments in translating that analysis into meaningful actions within their Housing Production Strategy reports or through audits in the Acceleration Program. Experience supporting local governments as they develop actions that affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH), such as addressing disproportionate housing burdens, removing regulatory barriers, expanding housing choice, and promoting equitable access to opportunity, is highly valuable for this position. The role will also serve as a key point of contact in the administration of grants and technical assistance to local governments throughout the state. As part of DLCD’s mission, in partnership with community members and local governments, we foster equitable, inclusive, sustainable, vibrant communities, while protecting our natural resources legacy for current and future generations. A day in the life as a Housing Planner you will: Research policy issues related to site planning, land use review, and housing development; Review and provide comments on the work of technical consultants on these issues; Coordinate with interested parties, other state agencies, and local governments on these issues; and Provide direct technical assistance, guidance, and expertise to local governments related to Statewide Planning Goal 10 – Housing and their obligations to meet Oregonians’ housing needs and promote housing choice; Support in the audit and remedy of local government barriers to housing production, affordability, and choice as directed under the Housing Acceleration program; Assist with discussions and presentations on these issues to the public, the Land Conservation and Development Commission, professional groups, local governments, and the Oregon Legislature; and Support the development of tools, resources, and guidance to support the implementation of Goal 10 – housing. For a copy of the full position description, please email Human Resource Analyst, Jan Guerrero, [email protected]. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion One of DLCD’s foundational goals is to become a diverse, equitable, and inclusive agency that implements an equitable and inclusive planning program for Oregon. Efforts are supported by the State of Oregon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan and an agency Strategic Plan/Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan, and Committee. At DLCD, all employees are expected to recognize value in individual and cultural differences; lead activities in their division to promote and foster a diverse workforce; actively engage in implementing the DEI Work Plan and associated activities including achieving the agency’s affirmative action objectives and goals. We recognize that to successfully meet our mission and agency values, our commitment to racial equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion must be at the center of our work. DLCD values the lived and professional experiences of individuals from historically and currently underserved and under-resourced communities and honor our Government-to-Government relations responsibilities with Oregon’s federally recognized Native American Tribes. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, belonging, and equitable working environment for all employees. Candidates with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, language fluencies, lived experiences, and skillsets are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Social Science, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Geography or a related field AND three years of progressively responsible planning experience related to the job; OR Note: A master’s degree in Regional Planning, Public Administration, Social Science, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Geography or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Six years of planning experience related to the job; OR
• An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in local government current planning and/or long-range planning, housing policy, or comprehensive planning.
• Experience interpreting and applying Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules related to Statewide Planning Goal 10 – Housing, including the practical implications for land use, development codes, land and housing supply, and increased equity of housing outcomes for historically underserved communities in Housing Production Strategy reports.
• Practiced project, task, and timeline management in highly collaborative and asynchronous remote work environments
• Iterative thinking style and comfort with dialogue regarding differing perspectives to generate well-rounded group decisions
• Strong research, analysis, and synthesis skills across a variety of research methods like quantitative data analysis and qualitative records review and interviews.
• Proficiency in writing to prepare technical memos, formal correspondence, bulletins, model ordinances, and other explanations for various audiences including local governments, the department’s Land Conservation & Development Commission, and all Oregonians.
• Oral presentation skills, sufficient to conduct or assist in conducting training sessions, technical workshops, and public forums.
• Ability to establish and nurture collaborative relationships with local government staff, community groups and members, and other interested parties.
• Lived or professional experience serving or representing individuals from historically and currently underserved and under-resourced communities.
• Spanish language fluency. Individuals with fluency in other languages are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Research policy issues related to site planning, land use review, and housing development
• Review and provide comments on the work of technical consultants on these issues
• Coordinate with interested parties, other state agencies, and local governments on these issues
• Provide direct technical assistance, guidance, and expertise to local governments related to Statewide Planning Goal 10 – Housing and their obligations to meet Oregonians’ housing needs and promote housing choice
• Support in the audit and remedy of local government barriers to housing production, affordability, and choice as directed under the Housing Acceleration program
• Assist with discussions and presentations on these issues to the public, the Land Conservation and Development Commission, professional groups, local governments, and the Oregon Legislature
• Support the development of tools, resources, and guidance to support the implementation of Goal 10 – housing

Benefits

• Opportunity to collaborate with a team of talented professionals who are passionate about the agency’s mission and priorities
• Flexible work location, with a mix of remote and in-office work
• 11 paid holidays per year and additional personal business time off
• Comprehensive benefit package options
• The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation and sick leave.
• In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• After a qualifying period, new employees are enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• State employees also have access to benefits like deferred compensation plans through the Oregon Savings Growth Plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level