Planner Jobs in Iowa
Planner jobs in Iowa concentrate in urban and regional planning, transportation, supply chain, and community development, with demand at levels from entry-level associate planner to senior program manager. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City lead hiring activity, anchored by employers such as Principal Financial Group, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and the University of Iowa. The most sought-after specialties right now are land use and zoning, logistics and operations planning, and comprehensive plan development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ Planner jobs
Job Description
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is seeking a Rehabilitation Career Planner to join our team at the IowaWORKS office in Burlington, Iowa.
- Location: 550 S Gear Ave Ste 35, West Burlington, IA
- Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Work Flexibility: Hybrid telework and alternate schedules available after six months of employment and training have been completed.
- Work with customers to determine the programs and services they are seeking and/or need.
- Interact effectively with coworkers and partners while building and maintaining respectful professional relationships.
- Collaborate with team members within the American Job Center to enhance the overall customer experience.
- Provide feedback and identify potential solutions to support the team and leadership.
- Coach, motivate, and encourage job seekers on all aspects of the job search.
- Provide intensive career planning services to people with disabilities and ensure that individuals are connected to all Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and services that they are eligible for.
- Assist in the facilitation and development of Integrated Resource Teams (IRT's) in the American Job Centers (AJC) to blend services and funding around an individual customer's needs.
- Possess a strong working knowledge of programs and services regarding needs such as healthcare, Medicare, transportation, housing, and education/ training.
- Assist customers to build their personal and job skills for the primary goal of successful employment.
- Provide customer assistance with preparing and tailoring resumes and cover letters.
- Facilitate mock interviews for customers to appropriate workshops and employment events.
- Facilitate workshops or one-on-one appointments in-person or through virtual conferencing platform for customers/participants of system programs and services, update workshops and presentation as new information is available.
- Build and maintain partnerships with businesses, community organizations, disability groups, government agencies, and workforce partners.
- Provide information on employment services, Social Security work incentives, job accommodations, and disability employment resources.
- Conduct outreach and promote the Ticket to Work program to customers and community stakeholders.
- Participate in Disability Access Committee meetings and provide resources and support.
- Represent the organization through presentations, networking, and community engagement activities to strengthen services for individuals with disabilities.
- Connect unemployment claimants with re-employment activities at the American Job Center.
- Adhere to and refer to unemployment administration rules and Iowa law when working with customers regarding filing UI claims, answering questions, and addressing concerns.
- Use database systems to review salary histories and cross-reference database systems to ensure personal identification information matches.
- Adjudicate issues within unemployment insurance claims in accordance with all UI laws.
- Provide information to customers regarding UI appeals when necessary.
- Prepare for and participate in all UI appeal hearings relating to issued adjudication decisions.
IWD is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our IowaWORKS partnership.
- Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS)
- Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
- Hybrid telework opportunities for eligible classifications
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Vacation Leave
- Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
2) Four years of full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.
3) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.
Job Description
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is seeking a Rehabilitation Career Planner to join our team at the IowaWORKS office in Burlington, Iowa.
- Location: 550 S Gear Ave Ste 35, West Burlington, IA
- Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Work Flexibility: Hybrid telework and alternate schedules available after six months of employment and training have been completed.
- Work with customers to determine the programs and services they are seeking and/or need.
- Interact effectively with coworkers and partners while building and maintaining respectful professional relationships.
- Collaborate with team members within the American Job Center to enhance the overall customer experience.
- Provide feedback and identify potential solutions to support the team and leadership.
- Coach, motivate, and encourage job seekers on all aspects of the job search.
- Provide intensive career planning services to people with disabilities and ensure that individuals are connected to all Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and services that they are eligible for.
- Assist in the facilitation and development of Integrated Resource Teams (IRT's) in the American Job Centers (AJC) to blend services and funding around an individual customer's needs.
- Possess a strong working knowledge of programs and services regarding needs such as healthcare, Medicare, transportation, housing, and education/ training.
- Assist customers to build their personal and job skills for the primary goal of successful employment.
- Provide customer assistance with preparing and tailoring resumes and cover letters.
- Facilitate mock interviews for customers to appropriate workshops and employment events.
- Facilitate workshops or one-on-one appointments in-person or through virtual conferencing platform for customers/participants of system programs and services, update workshops and presentation as new information is available.
- Build and maintain partnerships with businesses, community organizations, disability groups, government agencies, and workforce partners.
- Provide information on employment services, Social Security work incentives, job accommodations, and disability employment resources.
- Conduct outreach and promote the Ticket to Work program to customers and community stakeholders.
- Participate in Disability Access Committee meetings and provide resources and support.
- Represent the organization through presentations, networking, and community engagement activities to strengthen services for individuals with disabilities.
- Connect unemployment claimants with re-employment activities at the American Job Center.
- Adhere to and refer to unemployment administration rules and Iowa law when working with customers regarding filing UI claims, answering questions, and addressing concerns.
- Use database systems to review salary histories and cross-reference database systems to ensure personal identification information matches.
- Adjudicate issues within unemployment insurance claims in accordance with all UI laws.
- Provide information to customers regarding UI appeals when necessary.
- Prepare for and participate in all UI appeal hearings relating to issued adjudication decisions.
IWD is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our IowaWORKS partnership.
- Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS)
- Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
- Hybrid telework opportunities for eligible classifications
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Vacation Leave
- Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
2) Four years of full-time work experience in career services, teaching or training to improve skills, job coaching, providing human services to individuals in need, sales, customer service, call center operations, or human-resources-related services involving interviewing, reviewing job applications, conducting employment-related assessments, or job placement.
3) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Workforce Associate.
See All 24 Planner Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Planner JobsPlanner Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Planner Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Manufacturing
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in planner jobs across Iowa.
- AICP certification recognized by the Iowa chapter of the American Planning Association preferred
- Bachelor's or master's degree in urban planning, public policy, or a related field
- Experience with GIS software for spatial analysis and land use mapping
- Knowledge of Iowa zoning codes, comprehensive plan processes, and state land use statutes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for public presentations and stakeholder engagement
- Proficiency in project management tools and ability to coordinate across multiple government agencies
Planner Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a planner in Iowa?
Most planner positions in Iowa require at least a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred for senior roles. Iowa does not issue a state-specific planning license, but the American Institute of Certified Planners credential, administered through the American Planning Association, is widely expected by Iowa municipal governments and regional planning agencies. Candidates typically build their path through internships with Iowa cities or county planning departments before moving into full-time roles.
Which companies hire planners in Iowa?
Employers hiring planners in Iowa right now include Wells Enterprises, Wells Enterprises, and Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's mix of state agencies, regional planning commissions, and large private-sector logistics and financial firms creates a steady range of openings at multiple seniority levels.
Which Iowa cities have the most planner jobs?
Le Mars, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque account for the largest concentration of planner openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the bulk of demand as the state capital and a hub for financial services, transportation planning, and municipal government, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City generate consistent openings through county planning offices, university-affiliated development projects, and regional infrastructure initiatives.
Are there remote planner jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many planner roles involve site visits, public hearings, and coordination with local government offices. About 33% of planner openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work most prevalent in policy research, long-range planning, and data analysis positions rather than in current planning or zoning review roles.
How can I get hired as a planner in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid internship or graduate assistant position with an Iowa city or county planning department, such as those offered through Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or the Mid-Iowa Regional Planning Commission. Recent graduates can also look for associate planner or planning technician postings, which accept candidates who have completed relevant coursework without requiring prior professional experience. A GIS certificate or a strong capstone project involving an Iowa community plan makes a measurable difference when competing for these roles.
Where can I find and apply to planner jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to planner jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 24 Planner Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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