National Scenic Area Land Use Planner

~ The Columbia River Gorge Commission was established in 1987 through a bi-state compact approved by Congress in the creation of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA). ~

The National Scenic Area encompasses over 295,000 acres in Oregon and Washington along the Columbia River. The Commission is comprised of 13 members appointed by the Governors of Washington and Oregon, the six Columbia River Gorge counties, and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

The Commission develops and implements policies and programs that protect and enhance the scenic, natural, cultural and recreational resources of the NSA, while encouraging economic growth to occur within existing urban areas and allowing development outside urban areas consistent with resource protection.

Position Overview 

The Commission is seeking an energetic, dynamic, and passionate Land Use Planner for this unique opportunity. This position will conduct development reviews and assessments, assist with the 10-year update of the Management Plan for the National Scenic Area and support the Principal Planner and other Gorge Commission staff in building and maintaining relationships with all levels of government, business, communities, stakeholders and the general public.

General Purpose: 

Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical, and professional work to assist in the implementation and review of the Management Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This position works under the general guidance and direction of the Executive Director. 

Responsibilities 

Essential Functions: 

• Review development proposals for consistency with the Gorge Commission's land use ordinance and prepare decisions.
• Provide technical and professional advice on the phone or in person. Provide information on land use applications, ordinances, plans and related planning programs, services, or regulations to developers, contractors, landowners, community groups, and interested persons.
• Review county development review decisions to make sure they are consistent with the county's land use ordinance.
• Review amendments to county land use ordinance for consistency with the Management Plan.
• Provide technical assistance to counties implementing the plan.
• Conduct follow-up reviews to ensure compliance with issued decisions; carry out enforcement activities as needed.
• Implement elements of a program for monitoring implementation of the Management Plan, including developing workplans, carrying out research, analyzing results, and writing reports.
• Review, analyze, prepare, and give reports/presentations to the Executive Director, Gorge Commissioners, civic groups, and the general public on Scenic Area issues. This includes work on review of the Management Plan, plan amendments, urban area boundary revisions, and economic development.
• Review Scenic Area economic development certification applications, writes certification reports.
• Provide planning analysis of appeals coming before the Commission; participate in appeal hearings; assist legal counsel with litigation as necessary.
• Maintain regular job attendance and adherence to working hours. 

Other Duties: 

• Respond to requests for information from the Commission, staff and general public.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle as needed to perform duties.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• A Bachelor's degree in land use planning, geography or a related field is required. A Master's degree is preferred.
• At least 3 years of professional planning experience. A Master's degree may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of planning principles, techniques, trends and policies, including experience with resource conservation and rural area issues, desired.
• Understanding of administrative law and practices and local government land use policies and practices; ability to interpret and apply policies and standards to given factual situations.
• Ability to learn and know technical knowledge of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Management Plan, and implementing regulations.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively; ability to manage work assignments efficiently and effectively.
• Experience in providing planning assistance to applicants, and advising landowners to options for allowable developments; ability to work with the public and agency officials in a courteous and professional manner.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with all levels of government, business, communities, stakeholders and the general public.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and GIS applications. Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment used. 

Special Requirements: 

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver's license.
• Qualification standards include a requirement that the individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace. 

Tools and Equipment Used: 

• Personal computer, motor vehicle; phone; and copy and fax machines. 

Physical Demands: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed mostly in office settings.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate instruments, computers, and various pieces of office equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment 

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions that could be inclement and on uneven or rocky surfaces.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. 

Selection Guidelines 

• Formal application; rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.