The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a Planning Associate.  An employee in this position is responsible for the enforcement of municipal ordinances pertaining to nuisance and property maintenance, zoning and development, and erosion control. This position conducts inspections, data collection, field work, and serves as a liaison between the public and City regarding ordinance and/or code violations.

Essential Job Functions:

• Enforces City Ordinances pertaining to property maintenance, zoning issues, and erosion control and composes correspondence to individuals in response to complaints/ordinance violations; may assist inspection staff with non-technical inspections.  Routinely visits active construction sites and structures.
• Manages the Property Maintenance Program by developing procedures to improve the overall maintenance/appearance of properties in the City; develops and maintains a consistent system of ordinance compliance report organization utilizing ArcGIS and municipal permit tracking software through photography and report writing.

• Reviews and issues permit applications in tandem with Lead Building Inspector; inspects new development for compliance with conditions of approval.

• Assists Planning Director with processing and analyzing requests for planning/zoning applications and report preparation; meeting and agenda preparation; data collection; attends City Committee meetings as required during absence of the Planning Director or as requested.
• Assists City Engineer/Department of Public Works with report writing; stormwater utility calculations; and data collection/field work.
• Assists with the Urban Forestry Program by responding to customer inquiries/tree requests, data collection/field work, and coordinating/supervising contractor activity.
• Contributes to a cooperative working effort by demonstrating a willingness to perform other job- related work, as needed or requested. The interdependency of operations is recognized and the abilities and skills exist to do other work as needed or requested. Assistance is given to others and special projects completed as scheduled or requested.

Job Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in land use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, planning, geography, architecture, public management, or related field.  One (1) to three (3) years’ experience in a municipal environment, natural resources, planning, engineering or an equivalent combination of education and/or similar experience is required. Wisconsin Erosion Control certification within six (6) months of hire.  Maintain effective working relationships with businesses, developers, property owners, citizens, and elected officials. Excellent oral and written communication skills.  Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, GIS software (i.e. ArcMap). Valid driver’s license with good driving record is required. 

Compensation and Benefits: Annual wage range for this exempt position is $65,642 to $86,100 with a starting salary up to $69,302 (July 2025, Step 3) depending on qualifications.    

The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment.  For 2025 health insurance, the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $115.44 per month for a single plan or $283.53 per month for a family plan. There is no deductible or co-insurance amount for the health insurance plan.  Dental insurance is through Delta Dental and premiums are paid 100% by the City.  The position qualifies for automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan) providing a lifetime payment once vested and upon eligible retirement.  Additionally, the City offers a number of voluntary benefits such as vision, flexible spending, life insurance, disability insurance, deferred compensation, critical illness, cancer and accident insurance.  Paid sick leave, holidays and vacation.  Access to an employee assistance program (EAP).  The City of Onalaska is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Federal Program.

To Apply:  To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing https://cityofonalaska.com/jobs. Position is Open Until Filled (with a first review of applications on May 12th, 2025). For additional information please contact:

City of Onalaska Human Resources – City Hall (1st Floor)

415 Main Street, Onalaska WI  54650

            Phone:  608-781-9530 ext. 260

            Email:  afrandsen@onalaskawi.gov

Additional information: Selected candidate subject to background check and pre-employment/post-offer drug screen. EOE/Drug Free Workplace