Assistant Planner - Zoning

# Assistant Planner, Zoning Division

## About the Role

The City of Jersey City is seeking a knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and community-focused **Assistant Planner** to support the Zoning Division. This role works closely with the City’s Zoning Officer and assists with planning and zoning oversight, site-plan review, zoning compliance, development application review, interdepartmental coordination, and community and economic development projects.

The Assistant Planner will play an important role in helping ensure that development activity, permit applications, Certificates of Occupancy, zoning reviews, and related processes are handled accurately, consistently, and in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances, procedures, and city planning goals. This position is ideal for someone with an interest in municipal planning, land use, zoning regulation, urban development, public administration, and community development.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, professional, and comfortable working with residents, applicants, developers, city departments, boards, commissions, and public officials. This role requires strong research skills, attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to interpret planning and zoning requirements in a practical municipal setting.

## Key Responsibilities

* Support the City’s Zoning Officer with planning, zoning, land use, and development review activities.
* Assist with the review of applications for permits, Certificates of Occupancy, zoning approvals, and related municipal processes.
* Review site plans, development proposals, application materials, zoning documents, and supporting information for accuracy and compliance.
* Help ensure residential development-fee payments are properly reviewed, tracked, processed, and documented in accordance with city requirements.
* Research zoning regulations, land use requirements, municipal ordinances, development standards, and applicable planning policies.
* Provide guidance and support related to zoning compliance, permitted uses, bulk standards, development requirements, and application procedures.
* Advise applicants, property owners, residents, internal departments, and stakeholders on zoning-related requirements and Municipal Land Use Law regulations.
* Coordinate with city departments, boards, agencies, and staff to support planning and zoning reviews.
* Assist with community and economic development projects that involve zoning, land use, redevelopment, housing, infrastructure, or neighborhood planning considerations.
* Prepare reports, memoranda, presentations, summaries, maps, findings, and recommendations for internal review or public meetings.
* Support the preparation of materials for planning board, zoning board, council, departmental, or community meetings as needed.
* Track application status, deadlines, required documentation, approvals, fees, and follow-up items.
* Maintain organized records related to zoning reviews, applications, fee payments, correspondence, reports, and approvals.
* Respond to inquiries from the public, developers, property owners, attorneys, consultants, and other stakeholders in a professional and helpful manner.
* Identify zoning issues, missing application materials, compliance concerns, or inconsistencies and escalate them as appropriate.
* Support continuous improvement of zoning review processes, recordkeeping, communication, and interdepartmental coordination.
* Assist with research and analysis related to land use trends, development activity, neighborhood conditions, and policy recommendations.

## Required Qualifications

* Knowledge of urban planning, zoning, land use, municipal government, public administration, community development, or a related field.
* Ability to research, interpret, and apply zoning regulations, municipal ordinances, planning policies, and development requirements.
* Strong attention to detail and ability to review applications, permits, site plans, reports, and supporting documents accurately.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to prepare clear reports, summaries, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations.
* Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple applications, deadlines, and priorities.
* Ability to work professionally with residents, applicants, developers, consultants, city staff, boards, and public officials.
* Ability to understand and explain zoning-related procedures and requirements.
* Comfortable using computers, spreadsheets, document systems, mapping tools, permit systems, and office software.
* Strong judgment, professionalism, and commitment to public service.
* Ability to work independently while supporting a collaborative municipal team.

## Preferred Qualifications

* Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, environmental studies, political science, public policy, real estate, or a related field.
* Experience working in municipal planning, zoning, permitting, land use review, community development, redevelopment, or public administration.
* Familiarity with New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, zoning ordinances, site-plan review, redevelopment planning, and local government processes.
* Experience reviewing permits, Certificates of Occupancy, development applications, construction-related documents, or zoning compliance materials.
* Familiarity with GIS, planning maps, zoning maps, tax maps, property records, and permit-tracking systems.
* Experience preparing staff reports, board materials, public presentations, or planning recommendations.
* Strong understanding of urban development, housing, redevelopment, neighborhood planning, transportation, infrastructure, or economic development issues.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced public-sector environment with a high volume of public inquiries and applications.

## Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a careful and service-oriented planning professional who is interested in how zoning, land use, development review, and public policy shape the built environment. This person should be able to review technical information, research regulations, communicate clearly, and help applicants and departments understand requirements.

The right candidate will be comfortable balancing customer service with regulatory compliance. They should be able to work with the public in a professional and respectful manner while also maintaining accuracy, consistency, and adherence to city procedures.

This person should enjoy working in a municipal environment where planning decisions affect neighborhoods, housing, businesses, infrastructure, and long-term community development. They should be organized, dependable, curious, and committed to supporting responsible development and effective public service.

## Work Environment

This position is typically performed in a municipal office environment and may involve interaction with residents, applicants, city departments, consultants, boards, commissions, and public officials. The Assistant Planner may attend meetings, review development materials, conduct research, prepare reports, and participate in planning or zoning-related discussions.

The role may require managing multiple priorities at once, responding to public inquiries, coordinating with several departments, and supporting time-sensitive application reviews. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a structured public-sector environment where accuracy, professionalism, and transparency are important.

## Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, location, and applicable city policies. Benefits may include:

* Competitive salary
* Full-time employment
* Health, dental, and vision benefits
* Paid time off
* Retirement plan options
* Professional development opportunities
* Public-sector work environment
* Opportunity to support planning, zoning, and community development initiatives
* Opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of Jersey City

## Equal Opportunity Statement

The City of Jersey City is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, skills, and business needs. The City is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and professional workplace.