ASSOCIATE PLANNER

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed historic charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Are you an urban planner seeking to work in the planning department of a large city and get exposure to a wide array of land use and neighborhood planning tasks and challenges? 

The Associate Planner coordinates the land combination and division process, develops staff recommendations for projects seeking development approvals from the Board of Zoning Appeals, and carries out research, analysis, and public engagement to support various ongoing comprehensive planning, zoning, and land use related planning projects.

Land Use, Zoning, and Development Review

• Administer daily work activities of Land Use Planning, including processing Certified Survey Maps and public right of way vacation requests, reviewing applications, tracking project status, making recommendations, preparing and presenting files for Common Council review and providing ongoing technical assistance.
• Support Planning Administration activities including reviewing Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA) applications and preparing recommendations to BOZA.
• Research and recommend changes to processes and ordinances to improve land use planning processes.
• Maintain knowledge of best practices in the planning field, including legislation, case law, and professional practices and techniques.     

Planning Project Support

• Support the development of comprehensive area plans, commercial corridor plans, neighborhood plans, redevelopment plans and studies. Prepare GIS maps, perform research and analysis, assist in coordinating public engagement and information gathering during the planning process, and draft recommendations and guidelines.  
• Participate in the execution and completion of various planning, urban design, zoning or related research and development projects to support ongoing plan development and plan implementation projects.
• Present reports to public bodies such as City Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Common Council Committees.
• Contribute to maintaining Planning webpages on City website.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, geography, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. 
2. Two years of professional urban planning experience.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. A Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field may be substituted for the professional planning experience requirement.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

NOTE: Graduate students with less than one year remaining until graduation who are relying on their Master’s Degree to meet the minimum qualifications for this position may apply for this position but may not be appointed until their degree has been completed.

• Master’s degree in urban planning, architecture, geography, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of Adobe, InDesign or similar design software. 
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

TECHNICAL

• Knowledge of urban planning, economic development, land use planning, zoning, urban design, and transportation principles and practices.
• Ability to read survey maps and plats.
• Knowledge of mathematics to aid in data analysis. 
• Ability to conduct research, compile, and analyze data and produce reports.
• Skill in using geographic information systems (GIS), standard office software, presentation software and social media outlets.
• Proficiency using GIS software, word processing, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and database software.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL

• Customer service skills and the ability to exercise tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to positively interact with diverse groups of residents, business owners, architects, developers, and colleagues.
• Written communication skills to write clear business correspondence and technical reports.
• Verbal communication and presentation skills to effectively share information inside and outside the organization. 
• Ability to work effectively with people from all cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to accomplish program goals.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to exercise sound judgment on planning matters.
• Ability to work efficiently, both independently and as a team member. 
• Problem solving skills to recognize and recommend solutions.
• Ability to think critically and analytically.
• Ability to plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines and adjust priorities as necessary.
• Honesty and integrity to meet professional standards for handling confidential information and politically sensitive issues.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2EX) is $58,777-$65,989 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $60,540-$67,969. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

An Associate Planner with an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification will be paid an additional 3%.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test; a structured interview; or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.