Are you interested in all aspects of planning? Are you passionate about guiding projects through complex land use reviews to shape communities for the better? Are you inquisitive, detail-oriented, and excited to take on challenging projects that address key issues like housing supply, climate resilience, and multimodal transportation?

Otak, Inc., an award-winning multidisciplinary firm, is hiring a Senior Planner to support projects across the Pacific Northwest. You will work in a highly collaborative team environment on a variety of land use permitting, development code update, and long-range planning projects for both private and public sector clients. Come join a growing Planning & Landscape Architecture practice where sustainable and practical designs help ensure viability and livability for years to come!

This position can be based in either our Portland, OR, or Vancouver, WA office. A minimum of two days per week of travel to the Portland office will be required for project coordination.

What you’ll do:

• Coordinate with planners, urban designers, architects, scientists, engineers, subconsultants and clients on a wide range of project types, from comprehensive planning to land use permitting.
• Prepare permit applications, project narratives, technical reports, environmental analysis documents, and other publications.
• Participate and lead public, community, and stakeholder engagement activities including outreach, meetings, webinars, and surveys. Prepare client/public presentations and attend public hearings.
• Conduct entitlement and planning/zoning code analysis, offering insights that support project compliance and innovation.
• Support long-range public planning efforts through research, public outreach, concept and urban planning, graphics, and report preparation.
• Compile and submit permit applications, coordinate with agency staff, and monitor and track permit submittals through approval.

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in community development, community planning, and/or urban planning or associated discipline.
• Minimum 7-10 years’ experience in the field of land use planning for either public or private sector clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven track record of producing technically-sound documents.
• Knowledge of city and county comprehensive plans, zoning codes, development standards, and the implications on design.
• Demonstrated expertise in preparing and/or reviewing detailed land use applications, including rezoning, conditional use permits, variances, and other complex entitlement processes.
• Knowledge of Oregon Statewide Land Use Planning Goals and/or Washington Growth Management Act preferred.
• AICP preferred.

Please apply at: https://otakinc.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/9d7a5ef3-5cde-7073-b5db-b4b8ce22821e/apply?source=3244477-CS-54989

Benefits
At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match that is 100% vested immediately; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.

Why work at Otak?
We’re not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren’t just joining a firm — you’re joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don’t just believe in cultivating our own community; we’re also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we’re committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we’re expanding — and we’re dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

Equal Opportunity
Otak is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. The Equal Opportunity policy at Otak, Inc. provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, nation origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, protected veteran status or disability or any other status(es) protected by law. Otak ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and mandatory supplements to EEO (revisions).

At Otak, we recognize that inclusion is a practice, and we are determined to lead our industry by embedding that practice into our work. Cultivating an inclusive workplace environment is ongoing and consistent work, requiring dedication and commitment from every member of the organization. This commitment is reflected in Otak’s promise to significantly increase employee diversity, impact the communities in which we work, and establish ongoing relationships within these communities.

Otak’s Vision for an Inclusive Environment includes the following:

• We embrace diverse identities, and willingly engage across difference
• All employees can experience the workplace safely and show up as their authentic selves
• Fostering unique perspectives and an open exchange of ideas
• Engaging one another with curiosity rather than judgment
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect

If you are a minority, veteran, person with a disability, or a member of the LGBTQA Community, we strongly encourage and welcome you to apply to any open position of interest. If you want to learn more about Otak, this position, or the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, contact our Human Resources Department at GRPHumanResources@otak.com.

*Please note, Otak is not accepting resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies at this time.