Planner III- Austin Planning

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

The Austin Planning Department's mission is to provide equitable, people-centered planning services and shape an Austin where everyone can thrive.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under general direction, perform professional planning work for the City including zoning, urban, transportation and/or site planning.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Researches information as requested and/or needed. Analyzes data to discover patterns and/or discrepancies.
  
• Writes information reports. Writes/drafts legal documents, i.e. contracts, regulations, ordinance amendments, resolutions, etc.
  
• Answers citizen questions and provide assistance. Speaks as City representative before boards, commissions, public groups, etc.
  
• Reviews plats and site plans for compliance with policy codes, ordinances, standards, etc. Reviews traffic impact analyses.
  
• Provides technical advice and assistance to citizens, contractors, departments, management, etc. Coordinates meetings between consultants, public, etc. and city staff. Coordinates division/section activities with other divisions/sections.
  
• Interprets/explains/enforces city policies and procedures, building/land development codes specifications, ordinances, etc.
  
• Conducts field checks to verify correctness of data. Reviews and evaluates various reports and studies. Maintain project files and records.
  
• Develops short/long range plans.
  
• Seeks/evaluates/recommends purchase of city property. Monitor contract expenditures.
  
• Plans and develops survey instruments, i.e. questionnaires, rating scales, etc., and methodology for use.
  
• Utilizes and modifies computer models and statistical packages for planning application.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of the principles of community and urban planning.
  
• Knowledge of federal and state laws relating to planning and urban development.
  
• Knowledge of planning techniques.
  
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
  
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in use of computers and related software.
  
• Skill in planning and organizing.
  
• Skill in collecting, tabulating and analyzing demographics statistics.
  
• Ability to work under the pressure of rigid and/or short work cycle.
  
• Ability to apply statistical tools to data.
  
• Ability to maintain a degree of confidentially.
  
• Ability to give public presentations.
  
• Ability to explain and enforce city policies.
  
• Ability to develop and maintain current knowledge in procedural, ordinance, charter and changes in current job practices.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus three (3) years of experience in planning related work.
  
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six (6) months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
  
• Experience in planning related work may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in managing a project or elements of a project from beginning to end - identifying the scope of a project, objectives , deliverables, stakeholders, associated risks and timeline.
  
• Experience collaborating, communicating and facilitating dialogue with stakeholders of varying backgrounds and areas of interest, including boards and commissions, community organizations, and people whose voices have been historically excluded from planning processes.
  
• Experience or knowledge of planning at different scales ranging from comprehensive planning to area planning (corridor, district, neighborhood plans, station area plans, etc.) and applying principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in planning work.
  
• Experience and proficiency with data analysis, interpretation, and visualization through various tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Microsoft Office Suite (PPT, SharePoint, Word, Excel), Power BI, SketchUp, Adobe Acrobat Pro (InDesign, Illustrator), or other.
  
• Experience in technical writing for planning, including the preparation and review of area or comprehensive plans and policy documentation with a focus on land use and /or community development.
  
  

Notes to Candidate:

The Austin Planning Department is seeking a Planner III to help further the mission and goals of the department. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

District Planning:

District-scale planning falls between Comprehensive Planning and other types of small area planning occurring under the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Station Area Planning. District-scale planning serves as planning practice that connects the various scales of planning . In this role you will be responsible for the following:

W ork as part of a team; conduct background research and analysis on D istrict planning approaches and considerations; develop draft planning reports, updates, and prese ntations; conduct plan area assessments and resulting plan updates; collaborate with plan partners to ensure D istrict P lans and associated plans are in alignment with best practices; develop plan and meeting content (text, illustrations, tables, photographs, chart s, graphs, etc.); re vie w projects for plan compliance; develop and implement community engagement and outreach strategies and techniques (visual/written, virtual, and in-person ) , identify, plan, and develop responses for risks ; and other planning activities as needed to support the development of equitable planning activities in the department.

A hybrid schedule is available. Position may require evening and weekend meetings.

Salary: $29.89 - $37.37 hourly

Physical Location: 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Austin, TX

Posting Duration: The Department may close this posting any time after 7 days.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-11-13

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• City of Austin

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