BRAND Land Use Open Positions

Location: BRAND Land Use at 1720 Liberty Street SE Salem, OR 97302
Employment Type: Part-time or Full-time

Salary Range: $65,000 - $100,000 (DOE)

Benefits: 401(k) with company match (available to all employees), PTO (available to all employees), paid holidays (available to all employees), and medical insurance premiums fully paid by BRAND (only available for full-time employees)

About BRAND Land Use

BRAND Land Use is a dynamic and forward-thinking land use planning firm based in Salem, Oregon, serving both public and private sector clients across the state. With a reputation for excellence, responsiveness, and creative problem-solving, our work spans a range of planning disciplines. We work on a variety of application types including annexations, zone changes, comprehensive plan amendments, subdivisions, conditional use permits, master plans, and development applications in both urban and rural settings. We are a small, high-impact team with deep knowledge of Oregon’s complex land use landscape. Our clients trust us to guide them through the regulatory process with clarity and strategy. We take pride in crafting compelling narratives, navigating tough political terrain, and securing approvals that make meaningful projects possible. As we grow, we are looking for an experienced Land Use Planner to join our collaborative, mission-driven team.

Why Work With Us

• Impactful Work: You’ll help shape the communities where people live, work, and grow. You'll feel proud of working on projects with real impact right here in our community and around the state.
• Growth Opportunity: As a small firm, your voice matters. You’ll have meaningful input on project strategy, client engagement, and firm direction.
• Professional Respect: You’ll work with a Principal Planner with diverse experience, and a team that values ethics, diligence, and innovation. Our team is collaborative and seeks to provide our peers with top quality service just the same as is provided to clients.
• Balanced Life: We promote a healthy work-life balance and value trust, and autonomy.
• Diverse Projects: From small-town Oregon to regional centers, our work is varied and engaging—never repetitive.
• Team Building: We believe in the importance of a strong team and regularly treat the team to lunch outings and other activities. 

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare comprehensive land use applications, including narratives, findings, and exhibits
• Draft and review planning documents such as staff reports, zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, site plan reviews, variances, and conditional use permits
• Conduct site analysis and evaluate properties for development potential and zoning compliance
• Interpret and apply local, state, and regional planning policies, ordinances, and statutes (including Oregon’s Statewide Planning Goals and ORS Chapters 197, 215, and 227)
• Communicate directly with clients, city and county staff, legal counsel, engineers, and architects
• Represent clients at public hearings and community meetings, including preparing and delivering presentations
• Coordinate project timelines and ensure that deadlines and jurisdictional requirements are met
• Prepare public comment letters, code interpretations, and findings of fact for both private applicants and public agencies
• Stay current on land use trends, legislation, and case law affecting Oregon’s planning framework

Qualifications 

             Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, or a related field - working experience in the field may qualify as meeting this requirement 
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, persuasive, and well-structured planning documents
• Experience presenting in public to planning commissions, city councils, hearings officers, and neighborhood associations - other public speaking experience may qualify as meeting this requirement
• Excellent verbal communication and client service skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

              Preferred:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in land use planning, either in the private sector or with a city, county, or state agency
• Strong working knowledge of Oregon’s land use system, including the Statewide Planning Goals, DLCD processes, and local development codes
• Experience with project management and direct client engagement
• Familiarity with Oregon jurisdictions
• GIS proficiency and basic site design or mapping capability with Bluebeam 

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $65,000 - $100,000 (DOE)
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company match, fully vested after two years of service
• Holidays: 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Time Off: Accrual at 8 hours/month, increasing annually with years of service
• Medical Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurances 100% employer paid (full-time benefit)
• Work Environment: office-based in Salem, Oregon, private office available
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued training, conference attendance, and mentorship

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and interest in BRAND Land Use, and two writing samples (preferably planning-related) to britany@brandlanduse.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.