CITY PLANNER V (Zoning)

The City of Chicago is hiring a City Planner V (Zoning) for the Department of Planning & Development. The role involves coordinating urban planning projects, evaluating development proposals, and providing technical assistance on zoning inquiries. Applicants need a relevant degree and significant planning experience.

The position is based in Chicago, with a salary starting at $82,884. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

CITY PLANNER V (Zoning)

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Bureau of Zoning

Number of Positions: 1

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $82,884.00

New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees' pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 04/24/2026

Under general supervision, performs professional urban planning of a complex nature, typically requiring the coordination of projects relating to the development and revitalization of residential, commercial, and industrial communities, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Participates in and coordinates projects, reports, and/or studies related to zoning amendments, site plan reviews, and special uses
• Researches and makes recommendations related to best practices on zoning and land use policy
• Evaluates development proposals for conformity with City goals, objectives, and regulations
• Prepares reports and documents for Department of Planning & Development (DPD) zoning leadership, City Council committees, and/or the Zoning Board of Appeals
• Works with City departments, sister agencies, and private consultants on zoning related initiatives and proposals
• Reviews and interprets legislation from other jurisdictions pertaining to potential zoning ordinance amendments and provides comparative analysis and land use recommendations
• Facilitates development review process for specified development proposals, including intake meeting reviews and issuance of zoning denials
• Provides technical assistance to the general public and City staff concerning zoning related inquiries, policies, and interpretations
• Serves as project manager for zoning policy and ordinance proposals to ensure compliance with applicable specifications and regulations as required. Ensures external and internal deadlines and timelines are met
• Tracks data trends and provides summary reports, as requested
• Completes special zoning related projects and tasks, as assigned

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 121 N LaSalle St, 9th floor

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Transportation Planning, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of planning work experience; OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Transportation Planning, or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of planning work experience

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a skills assessment as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

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APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable.

Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates.

These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. The learn more about our hiring processes, please click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor