Design & Permitting Planner

The Port of Portland is hiring a Design & Permitting Planner.

We are seeking a collaborative professional who would be responsible for planning and design to support land use, facility development, and operational enhancements. This role would communicate technical findings and recommendations that support the Site and Facility Design team through design studies, design review, and tenant construction processes.

From the hiring manager: "Do you love the new design of Portland International Airport? Do you arrive early to enjoy the local businesses, and experience firsthand the spaces crafted to make every passenger's journey exceptional. Join our team to influence the future of PDX.
In this role, you'll support the Site and Facility Design department - the group responsible for the PDX Terminal Design Standards that define our signature look and feel. You'll influence tenant designs to ensure PDX continues to deliver its renowned, high-quality passenger experience.
You'll collaborate with passionate colleagues who care deeply about wayfinding, accessibility, and the human experience. You'll partner with talented engineers across the Port to develop design concepts that shape how millions of people experience our spaces.
If you're curious about what it truly means to be a building owner - to steward a complex, beloved public facility - this is the role that will show you. It's a chance to make a meaningful impact in a place people love."

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that combines work-life balance with team collaboration. You'll be in the office Tuesday through Thursday to engage with colleagues and support our business lines, with the flexibility to work from home on Mondays and Fridays as business needs allow.

• Provide support to the tenant improvement team by:
  • Acting as intake specialist, sharing process information to incoming project teams and working with Senior Manager on project assignments.
  • Administering the Port's formal Design Review process for airport tenant developments, including concessionaires, airlines, and government agencies.
  • Assisting the Tenant Construction Coordinator with processing Tenant Permit applications and organizing paperwork.
• Design Studies: Prepare design materials associated with marketing proposals, leasing negotiations, and land acquisitions.
• Prepare materials for Port customer needs and perform site analysis and concept studies for prospective customers.
• Develop concept plans illustrating project function and alternatives, with sufficient detail to support cost estimating and business case development.
• Serve as a liaison between the Port and external partners.
• Provide information, participate on committees, and evaluate proposed tenant interior and site developments while representing Port interests.
• Support preparation of materials related to fire and life safety, including evacuation maps and the Fire Life Safety Master Plan.
• Provide graphics for signage requests in compliance with the signage masterplan.

Preferred Minimum Qualifications:

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Entry- Project execution methodologies and building codes, including ADA standards.
• Entry- Interior design principles and detailing, sustainability practices, exterior envelope detailing, and space planning.
• Entry- Construction techniques and terminology, computer-aided drafting techniques, and drawing collaboration software.
• Entry- Applying effective, professional written/ oral communications, and preparing graphic material for presentations.
• Entry- Producing, editing, and formatting professional-quality documents using current office applications.

Selection Process (Tentative Schedule):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of October 19, 2026.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

3. Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation on November 6, 2026. Panel Interviews will be held on November 17, 2026.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.

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