Summary:

The City of Iowa City, Iowa invites applications for an Associate Planner position with the Urban Planning team of the Development Services Division. Under the supervision of the Senior Planner, this position performs a wide variety of technical duties related to planning including development reviews, staff support to Boards and Commissions, researching a wide variety of planning policy issues, and assisting the public.

Iowa City is an exceptional place to live and work with steady population growth and demonstrated development investment. As a recipient of a $3.75 million PRO Housing Grant from HUD Iowa City is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan. The city is also about to embark on a parking study to right-size parking policy as well as other efforts to develop innovative tools and approaches to implement the Comprehensive Plan in an inclusive, just and sustainable way. The City continues to make a significant commitment to affordable housing in partnership with non-profit agencies to support housing choices. Iowa City also continues to pursue climate action and adaptation efforts setting the table to become a national leader.

The ideal candidate for this position will be an individual that is curious, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic customer-focused, deadline driven environment that is significantly influenced by public involvement.

Iowa City offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, group life, Employee Assistance Program, and a deferred compensation 457 plan. The City participates in IPERS, or Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System, a state administered retirement system. The City also offers a Flexible and/or Remote Work option after completion of six months of work, at the discretion of department directors and direct supervisors.

Essential Functions:

The Associate Planner performs a wide variety of land use-related administrative functions, including:

• Providing customer service regarding a wide variety of development related issues through front-counter, phone and on-site assistance; including interpretation of codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Reviewing, researching and evaluating planning and development projects such as annexations, rezoning applications, subdivision plats, special exceptions, development site plans, design review plans, historic reviews and text amendments.
• Processing development permit applications and assisting with reviews of building permits in form-based code districts.
• Assisting with public outreach and resident planning workshops to update comprehensive plans.
• Researching best practices and drafting amendments to the comprehensive plan, zoning code, and subdivision code.
• Preparing staff reports for Boards and Commissions, as assigned, making findings and conditions of approval.
• Attending Board and Commission meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Performing research and data collection and preparing reports on a variety of relevant topics including development activity, code amendments; maintaining records, logs and other databases related to various topics and department activity.

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of development process and local government operations including zoning, site planning, and/or subdivision regulations. Working knowledge of principles and practices of land use planning. Ability to use basic GIS operations as well as the ability to create, maintain, classify, tabulate, categorize, and manipulate data. The ability to read and interpret site, infrastructure and construction plans, legal documents, and engineering drawings. Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing and maintain effective working relations with other employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a closely related field from an educational institution accredited by a DOE recognized accreditation body required. One year of experience in urban planning, land use regulation, site plan review, urban design, or form-based codes required. Five years of related experience and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

A more complete job description is available online at https://www.icgov.org. 

Preferred Qualifications:

A master’s degree from an educational institution accredited by a DOE recognized accreditation body and one year of experience in urban planning, land use regulation, site plan review, urban design, form-based codes preferred. Six years of related experience and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

Application deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025

Visit www.icgov.org/jobs to apply online