Senior Planner

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Pittsburgh, PA
Job Type: CS Non-Competitive, Full Time
Job Number: 26-SPCP-01
Department: City Planning
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026 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: $ 73,545 per year.
Posting Type: Contractual Right 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.
Union Bid Form: None required. Your application for this position will serve as your union Bid Form.
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: 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 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 must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.


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 two (2) years of full-time work experience in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.(Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis).
• EDUCATION/TRAINING : The application must clearly show a Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, 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 eight (8) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS


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.
• 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:

Senior Planner when assigned to Development Review :

• Administers provisions of Zoning Ordinance and reviews applications, site plans, surveys, landscape plans, grading plans, and related documents for compliance with the applicable Zoning Code regulations, as needed.
• Manages the queue for planning and zoning applications in the online permitting system, sorts applications by review type, and assigns applications to staff.
• Serves as a primary contact and customer service provider for architects, engineers, developers, property owners, and the public on applications for development.
• Acts as the point of contact and facilitator of the Planning Commission and/or Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City.
• Researches and drafts Code amendments to update the city's Zoning Code and advance key goals around development within Pittsburgh.
• 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.

Senior Planner when assigned to Historic Preservation :

• Acts as a point of contact and facilitator of the Historic Review Commission (HRC) for the City.
• 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.

• Provides customer service and guidance to those submitting HRC applications.

Senior Planner when assigned to Public Art or Design Review :

• Oversees the Public Art Program, which maintains and preserves the city's collection of monuments, memorials, and other works of public art.
• Oversees the Design Review process to review the impact of development projects on the public realm.
• Provides customer service and guidance to applicants, property owners, and the public on 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.

Senior Planner when assigned to Climate Policy or Environmental Review :

• Coordinates and develops policy on 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.
• Administers provisions of Stormwater Management Ordinance and processes development plan submittals.
• Provides information to developers, the public, and zoning staff related to stormwater management, undermined areas, and landslide-prone areas. Reviews related project plans and reports for regulatory compliance.

Senior Planner when assigned to Long-Range Planning:

• 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)
• Manages data and/or programs related to the specific geography or topic above.

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


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

• I possess a Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field AND two (2) years of full-time work experience in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I posses a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field AND four (4) years of full-time work experience in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I possess an Associate's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field AND six (6) years of full-time work experience in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I possess a High School Diploma or G.E.D. AND eight (8) years of full-time work experience in Planning, Urban Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• I do not possess any of the minimum amounts of education and/or work experience listed above.

04


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

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