JOB DESCRIPTION

About the City of Portland Planning and Urban Development Department (HP Division):

The Planning and Urban Development Department plans for the vitality, livability, and prosperity of one of the most dynamic cities in the northeast. The Department’s work involves comprehensive planning; implementing and amending the City’s zoning and land use policies; site plan, subdivision, and historic preservation review; design review; managing the City’s Public Art program; and leading transportation planning and other long-range planning projects. Learn more about the Department. 

The Historic Preservation program, which is a part of the Department of Planning & Urban Development, is responsible for design review for compliance with the historic preservation ordinance; long range planning to document, assess, and protect Portland's historic resources; participation in related planning initiatives; and management of consultants and grants for historic preservation projects. 

Job Summary:

This is professional and technical planning work with a focus on Historic Preservation. It involves applying specialized knowledge and skills to review development proposals affecting properties within Portland’s historic designations, ensuring compliance with the historic preservation ordinance. The Associate Preservation Planner is one of two preservation positions in the department, and requires professional expertise in historic preservation principles. The role involves making technical determinations, exercising independent judgment, problem solving with property owners and their designers or contractors, and preparing written documents and public presentations to the Historic Preservation Board. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Reviews applications for both administrative/staff review and Historic Preservation Board review, including coordination with planners, permit reviewers, and other City departments.

• Prepares reports with supporting documentation for and makes public presentations regarding Planning Board or Historic Preservation Board reviews.

• Prepares letters of staff and Board decisions and maintains Historic Preservation Program records and files. 

• Responds to public inquiries, requests for pre-application meetings, and reports of violations. 

• Conducts regular field inspections, pre-construction meetings, and site visits to review work in progress, identify potential violations, and ensure compliance with approved plans for over 2300 historically designated properties. 

• Reports and pursues identified violations of the Historic Preservation ordinance in conjunction with Corporation Counsel's office.

• Performs related work as required.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

City Hall is open from  8:00am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday; attendance at evening meetings as required (typically twice per month). The Department supports up to two days of remote work per week.

Applications accepted until filled. 

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Hiring Process: 

• Interested candidates should include a cover letter, resume, and two brief relevant professional writing samples. 

• Start date negotiable, no sooner than June 15, 2026.

Interested applicants should review the complete job description, including required and preferred skills and experience on the City of Portland Employment Opportunities webpage. 

BENEFITS

City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College