Planner I or Planner II

These are full-time opportunities with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for these positions is $26.2952

• $31.5357 per hour, DOE. The Planning, Development and Sustainability Department is seeking a Planner I and/or Planner II to join their team. Planner I
• Performs entry level professional community planning and development work in Planning, Development and Sustainability Department. Planner II
• Performs professional level duties in community planning and development.

May be assigned to work on current planning and permitting, long range planning, and/or code development. Work involves complex issues and projects for the Planning, Development and Sustainability Department. May work on more complex projects or controversial issues as part of a team.

Details:

We are accepting completed application submissions from external applicants until 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2026 . Internal letters of interest can be emailed to gbrown@missoulacounty.us until 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 20, 2026. It is in your best interest to apply by this date. To Apply as an external applicant: Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is submitted. Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest, and a resume. Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources. Planner I

• Assists in preparation and coordination of community planning and/or development review projects, such as subdivision and rezoning applications and administration of land use policies and codes.

Issues procedural information to the public; offers interpretations of plans or regulations; and works towards resolution of conflicts. Prepares ordinances, resolutions, project narratives, maps or other visual aids, and project evaluations for review and approval by senior staff. Evaluates building and development permit applications for compliance with County land use and development regulations and approves permits when appropriate. Conducts inspections for code compliance. Investigates and resolves violations of County land use and development regulations. Stays informed of local, state and federal legislation and current issues in community planning and development. Conducts field investigations and research, compiles data and prepares technical reports for community planning and development. Prepares oral and written presentations and attends group meetings relative to community planning and development projects. Analyzes information and makes recommendations. Interfaces directly with the public, communicating complex and technical information. Provides staff support to governing bodies and citizen boards as directed, including making presentations, scheduling, preparing agendas, preparing meeting sites and materials, and answering inquiries from members. Serves as a resource to other staff members on specific issues. Planner II

• Prepares and oversees community planning and/or development review projects, such as subdivision and rezoning applications.

Participates in the general administration of community planning and development programs. Acts as team leader on specific projects. Serves as a resource to other staff on specific issues. Develops specialized skills in selected areas of community planning and development review and provides information and advice to County Officials, PDS staff, other county and city departments, and the general public. Issues procedural information to the public, offers interpretations of plans and regulations; works toward resolution of conflicts. Represents PDS as an expert in selected areas of community planning and development including attending meetings, participation in community task forces and making oral or written presentations. Stays informed of local, state and federal legislation and best practices in community planning and development. Prepares ordinances, regulations, resolutions and plans for review and approval by appropriate governing authorities. Evaluates complex building and development permit applications and conducts inspections and code compliance. Investigates and resolves violations of County land use and development regulations. Directs and conducts field investigations and research to compile data for community planning and development. Develops project narratives, analyses and reports; coordinates with GIS personnel to develop and access maps and other supporting information; interfaces directly with the public, communicating complex and technical information. Retrieves data in the form of reports using GIS and database programming capabilities; provides maintenance of the current planning database. Provides staff support to governing bodies and citizen boards as directed, including making presentations, scheduling, preparing agendas, preparing meeting sites and materials, and answering inquiries from members. Planner I

• Requires a Bachelor's degree. Degrees best suited for this position include planning, urban studies, environmental science, and geography. Four years additional, related experience may substitute for a Bachelor's degree. Requires one year of planning experience or comparable experience involving permitting, technical review, report writing, or community development. Planner II
• Requires a Bachelor's degree. Degrees best suited for this position include planning, urban studies, environmental science, and geography. Four years additional, related experience may substitute for a Bachelor's degree. Requires three years of planning experience or comparable experience involving permitting, technical review, report writing, community development, etc. Planner I
• The work requires the ability to travel to meetings and to visit remote work sites often located on rough, uneven terrain. May require attending evening and weekend meetings. Planner II
• The work requires the ability to walk over rough, uneven terrain and travel to remote work sites and meetings.

May require attending meetings before or after normal work hours. Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in a scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula! Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region. Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.