First screening for this position is June 6, 2025, but the position remains open until filled. Union County offices are open 4 days a week and this position is a 34-hour work week. This is a great opportunity to start at the ground level and work your way into an associate planner then a senior planner position. The Grande Ronde Valley is an area of beautiful scenery, farms and ranches, with ample access to outdoor recreation in the surrounding mountains, while the City of La Grande and the other smaller cities offer urban amenities. Find your forever home in Oregon.

This position will be the main respondent to customer phone calls and front counter drop-ins. This position is best served by a detail-oriented, outgoing personality who enjoys interacting with people and researching property information. The assistant planning and the planning director are the only county planning positions. This position assists the planning director in administering Union County and State of Oregon land use regulations, including courteously and accurately answering citizen and public agency inquiries, researching land use regulations and property ownership records, explaining and assisting with land use application preparation, preparing staff evaluations for land use applications, conducting onsite inspections and presenting staff evaluations in writing and orally at evening public hearings.

The assistant planner must have a basic working knowledge of ArcGIS. The ability to comprehend and interpret regulations, policies and procedures is necessary. Other mandatory qualifications include course work in planning, geography or a related field. Skill in word processing, operation of office equipment, and general office practices and procedures; knowledge and skill in the proper use of grammar, spelling and punctuation; and ability to accurately file and retrieve documents and the ability to read maps and legal descriptions is necessary. Must have, or obtain by hiring date, a valid Oregon driver's license. Must be able to do on-site visual inspections.

The assistant planner should be able to establish and maintain a harmonious working relationship with other employees, departments, and the general public; meet and respond to public and private officials in a courteous, effective manner; and exercise good judgment, courtesy, and tact in public contacts.

Union County is not in the state retirement system but has their own retirement system. Other major benefits include medical/dental and vision coverage, life insurance, long term disability insurance, life flight air and ground membership, sick leave, and vacation leave.