Principal Planner

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Pittsburgh, PA
Job Type: CS Non-Competitive, Full Time
Job Number: 26-PPCP-01
Department: City Planning
Opening Date: 10/05/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 4:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 09


POSITION SUMMARY


Leads, oversees, and participates in more complex and higher-level work of the staff providing planning services to the City of Pittsburgh. Performs a variety of complex and technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
Department: City Planning

Salary: $76,476 per year.

Posting Type: Announcement/Bid

Union : This position is included in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 2719 bargaining unit and will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the collective Bargaining Agreement.


Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive

REQUIREMENTS
General Application Requirements :

You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
  • Click to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
• A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License is preferred, but not required.

NOTE : If your name appears on the current Principal Planner eligibility list, you may not reapply at this time. Please to check if your name is on the list before submitting an application.

NOTE : The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify their post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh. Transcripts must be submitted at the time of any/each job interview you have with the City of Pittsburgh.

Qualifying Requirements:

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status via email.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show four (4) years of full-time experience in planning, urban design, engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Master's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
• EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position(based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above).The Total Qualifying Requirement is ten (10) years.(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
Civil Service Examination(s) :

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

• Written : None required for this position.
• Performance : None required for this position.
• Medical : None required for this position.

POSITION DUTIES

General Position Duties :

• Performs advanced professional work on key policy issues affecting the City, which may include land use, sustainable development, economic growth, housing supply and affordability, climate change mitigation, transportation, fresh food access, community planning, and/or civic participation.
• Researches and creates topic-specific plans or policies to guide how the City of Pittsburgh addresses those issues outlined above.
• Acts as a team lead and coordinates the work of lower-level planners and interns on assigned projects.
• Facilitates discussions and builds professional relationships with other divisions, departments, state or federal agencies, advocacy groups, researchers, community stakeholders, and residents.
• Provides support for and assists in the development and implementation of the City of Pittsburgh's Comprehensive Plan.
• Attends public meetings and hearings of planning and zoning boards and commissions.
• Makes public presentations of reports and other findings to the public, city staff, boards and commissions, and elected officials.
• Manages and directs the work of consultant team retained to support planning projects; assists in the selection of project consultants.
• Represents DCP at community meetings, conferences, etc., as needed.
• Provides information for and participates in the development of grant applications.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Specific Position Duties:
In addition to the position duties, the Development Review Principal Planner also:

• Manages and supports the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and/or takes major projects through Planning Commission and City Council and supports Commission and City Council with necessary information to make decisions as needed.
• Prepares letters, reports, decisions, testimony, and position papers for Planning Director, staff, Commissions, Zoning Board of Adjustment, etc.
• Facilitates, manages, and expedites community input into development proposals.
• Drafts Zoning Code legislation and zoning map amendments and facilitates through appropriate legislative process.
• Leads and participates in small groups or teams on Code projects, policy development, and development reviews.
• Administers provisions of Zoning Code and reviews applications, site plans, surveys, landscape plans, grading plans, and related documents for compliance with the applicable Zoning Code regulations, as needed.
• Serves as a primary contact and customer service provider for architects, engineers, developers, property owners, and the public on applications for development.
• Writes and coordinates procedures and policies for reviewing applications in the electronic permitting system.
• Interprets and assists in administering the provisions of Zoning Ordinance regarding special use matters such as Council conditional use exceptions, Board of Adjustment special exceptions, and administrator exceptions.

In addition to the position duties, the Historic Preservation Principal Planner also:

• Acts as a point of contact and facilitator of the Historic Review Commission (HRC) for the City, including providing guidance and customer service to applicants.
• Oversees the Historic Review Program to review the impact of development projects on buildings and neighborhoods with special historical significance to the City of Pittsburgh.
• Performs a wide variety of professional analysis, planning, and project coordination activities related to historic and cultural preservation to preserve and protect historically and archaeologically significant structures, sites, districts, and cultural resources through various land use planning strategies, governmental programs, and financial incentives.

In addition to the position duties, the Public Art or Design Review Principal Planner also:

• Oversees the Public Art Program, which maintains and preserves the city's collection of monuments, memorials, and other works of public art.
• Manages all aspects of the Design Review Process to review the impact of development projects on the public realm. Works with architects, engineers, developers, property owners, and the public on design review applications.
• Staffs the City's design review board, currently comprised as the Contextual Design Advisory Panel, by scheduling projects, preparing agendas, drafting letters, organizing materials, acting as recording secretary, and presenting reports at public hearings and meetings.
• Manages the staff design review process as it relates to review for architecture and urban design.
• Provides customer service and guidance to applicants, property owners, Boards and Commissions, and to the public on public art projects or design review applications.
• Acts as the point of contact and facilitator of the Public Art and Civic Design Commission or Contextual Design Advisory Panel.

In addition to the position duties, the Climate Policy or Environmental Review Principal Planner also:

• Coordinates and develops policy on climate, resilience, or environmental planning.
• Works with other departments, authorities, NGOs, and stakeholders to develop project plans, outreach, and integration of resilience approaches into operations.
• Tracks and reports data relating to the City's climate goals.'
• Assists neighborhood groups and individuals in identifying needs, setting goals and priorities, and in evaluating alternatives for short- and long-range environmental planning.
• Administers provisions of Stormwater Management Ordinance and processes development plan submittals.
• Coordinates with other departments, authorities, non-profit partners, and the community to develop policy on environmental planning issues such as stormwater management, floodplain development, tree canopy, undermined and landslide-prone areas, amongst others.
• Works with supervisors in the Department of City Planning and elected officials to bring regulations on environmental planning issues through the legislative process.
• Provides information for development projects and zoning staff related to floodplains, stormwater management, undermined areas, landslide-prone areas; reviews project plans and reports for regulatory compliance.
• Incorporates environmental planning goals into plans as well as zoning & land use regulations.
• Provides technical assistance to property owners regarding environmental issues and regulations.
• Advances biodiversity in the City, including planning for the City's urban forest.
• Advances park, greenway, open space, and trails projects.

In addition to the position duties, the Long-Range Planning Principal Planner also:

• Manages the development and implementation of plans in a specific geography (neighborhood or series of neighborhoods) or topic area (e.g. housing, vacant land, economic opportunity, building performance, food policy, mobility/transit-oriented development, climate mitigation and resilience).
• Directs the development of all or a portion of the City's comprehensive plan, specific city plans, and the development and implementation of planning standards and criteria, and develops City policy for the development, growth, land use, equity, sustainability, transportation, natural resources, housing, and utilization of resources.
• Plans, manages, and directs major community and special planning projects.
• Guides, reviews, and evaluates planning initiatives for complex and multifaceted development projects that are germane to the city or region; gives advice and direction, and recommends modifications to plans and projects, and provides alternative solutions.
• Provides strategic planning advice on long-range and short-term planning initiatives; develops policy and strategic alternatives regarding planning goals and makes recommendations on highly visible or sensitive issues to planning staff, city officials, boards, commissions, the public, and other stakeholders.
• Performs complex research and analysis on planning, design, and development issues; solicits information from the community to establish priorities, determine problems, and develops proposals, and responds to community concerns by providing information and explaining the City's role in addressing issues.
• Oversees the production of plans, policies, and other project documents (i.e., whitepapers, maps, promotional materials, etc.).

Click here to view the full job description, including knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.
Full-time City employees receive a comprehensive benefit package including :

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Pension
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Days

(Benefits may be modified based on collective bargaining unit terms.)
01


Did you remember to attach your complete resume with this application?

• Yes
• No

02


The City of Pittsburgh welcomes all applicants, including those who would need to relocate to satisfy the Residency Requirement prior to starting this position. Please elaborate on your plans to relocate to Pittsburgh if you do not already live within the City of Pittsburgh municipality. If you already reside within the City of Pittsburgh, please write N/A.
03


Do you understand that OFFICIAL transcripts must be submitted to the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service if you are selected to fill this position?

• Yes
• No

04


Please select the one answer most closely describing your minimum professional work experience/education:

• I possess four (4) years of full-time experience in planning, urban design, engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture AND a Master's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I posses six (6) years of full-time experience in planning, urban design, engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture AND a Bachelor's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I posses eight (8) years of full-time experience in planning, urban design, engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture AND an Associate's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I possess ten (10) years of full-time experience in planning, urban design, engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture AND a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I do not possess any of the minimum amounts of education and/or work experience listed above.

05


Which position(s) are you interested in?

• Development Review
• Historic Preservation
• Public Art or Design Review
• Climate Policy or Environmental Review
• Long-Range Planning

Required Question