Zoning Administrator Jobs
Zoning Administrator jobs are open across municipal government, county agencies, regional planning authorities, and consulting firms, from entry-level code technician roles to senior administrator and director positions, with specializations in land use review, variance processing, and zoning code enforcement. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Zoning Planner
- DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING
Posted on
11/09/2026
- Full-time
Location
MANHATTAN
- Exam may be required
Department
Zoning
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Job Description
THE AGENCY
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the future of New York City, working to create thriving and dynamic neighborhoods with access to housing and jobs, resilient infrastructure, and a vibrant public realm. The Department engages communities to develop inclusive plans, expands housing access and economic opportunity, and plans for long-term sustainability.
DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of hundreds of land use applications. The Department also advises on citywide strategic and capital planning, analyzes data, conducts policy analysis, and creates open data and civic engagement tools. DCP is also the custodian of the official City Map, which designates streets, parks and other public places.
Department of City Planning offers staff meaningful opportunities to help shape the future of New York City and address some of its most pressing challenges. The Department values public service, collaboration, and creativity, and supports professional development. Learn more about DCP and view current job openings at www.nyc.gov/planning.
THE DIVISION:
The Zoning Division is responsible for maintaining and updating the City’s Zoning Resolution. To do this, the Division works with other DCP divisions and stakeholders to develop and implement citywide zoning changes to address broad planning issues, such as promoting coastal flood resiliency or affordable housing development. Zoning Division also collaborates with the agency’s borough offices on zoning changes necessary for neighborhood planning efforts, and with applicants considering zoning amendments, to create clear consistent regulations that reflect best planning practices. The Division also provides information to the public to help make zoning rules more understandable, such as through its online webtools (Online ZR and ZoLa) and the Zoning Helpdesk, and works with other city agencies, such as the Department of Buildings, to implement and interpret the Zoning Resolution.
THE ROLE:
The Zoning Division is seeking a Zoning Planner to help maintain and improve the division’s web tools and public information about zoning. These include the Online Zoning Resolution and ZoLa, as well as public materials about zoning on the DCP website. It would also include longer-term Division projects looking to digitize historical zoning information and make it available to the public. The Zoning Planner would also support the Editor of the Zoning Resolution with the day-to-day upkeep of the Resolution and work with other Division staff on ongoing studies and text amendment proposals.
Under supervision, with latitude for independent judgment, the Zoning Planner will:
- Work with Division and other DCP staff to identify ways to improve the division’s web tools and public zoning information. Oversee the implementation of these improvements for the Division.
- Support the Editor of the Zoning Resolution with the day-to-day upkeep of the Resolution.
- Organize the work program to digitize and make available historical zoning information.
- Develop knowledge of the Zoning Resolution through research and project experience.
- Support the development of text amendment projects and planning studies and coordinate this work with other divisions of DCP.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Experience with GIS software, graphics programs, and web programming
- Strong research, copy editing, analytical, and data management skills.
- Strong presentation, written and communication skills.
- Interest in or experience with NYC zoning
- Ability to work independently as well as in teams to complete assignments in a timely fashion.
TO APPLY:
Visit cityjobs.nyc.gov and follow the steps below:
1. Search for job ID number: 810300
2. Click on the job business title: Zoning Planner
3. Click on “Apply” at the bottom of the posting
IMPORTANT: Only candidates with permanent Civil Service status in the City Planner civil service title, those reachable on the City Planner active civil service list (exam #5045), or those serving in a comparable civil service title can be considered for this position.
Please include a copy of your Notice of Result card or indicate if you are already permanent in this title with your application.
Note: All interested candidates must submit their applications via https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/. Applications via regular mail or e-mail will not be accepted.
Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all minimum qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.
Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and labor unions.
NOTE: If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during your visit or have questions regarding the accessibility of our facilities, please reach out to accessibilityinfo@planning.nyc.gov or call 212-720-3508 at least three business days prior to your arrival.
CITY PLANNER - 22122
Minimum Qualifications
1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or a related field; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in city planning such as in the review and
development of housing, transportation, environmental, and city-owned land planning projects; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience that is equivalent to "1" above. Graduate education in city planning, urban planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, public administration, economic development or related fields may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college or university for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree.
4. To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, two additional years of professional experience as described in "2" above.
55a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
Save
Job ID
810300
Posted until
01/08/2027
Title code
22122
Civil service title
CITY PLANNER
Title classification
Competitive-1
Business title
Zoning Planner
- Experience level: Experienced (non-manager)
Job level
02
Number of positions
1
Work location
120 Broadway, New York, NY
- Category: Engineering, Architecture, & Planning
Zoning Planner
See All 40 Zoning Administrator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Zoning Administrator JobsZoning Administrator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Blew & Associates, P.A.11
- Emmet County, MI2E
- FCT1
- SAFEbuilt1
- Ogle County1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in zoning administrator jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field
- Experience interpreting and applying local zoning codes and land use regulations
- Proficiency with GIS software for parcel research and zoning map analysis
- Ability to present findings and recommendations to planning boards and the public
- AICP certification or eligibility preferred for mid-level and senior positions
- Familiarity with variance, special use permit, and site plan review processes
Tips for Your Zoning Administrator Job Search
Tailor your resume to code review
Highlight specific zoning ordinances you've interpreted, variance applications you've processed, and any GIS tools you've used for parcel mapping. Generic planning experience is less compelling than documented zoning work tied to real cases and decisions.
Get your AICP certification moving
Many mid-level and senior zoning administrator postings list AICP certification as preferred or required. If you're exam-eligible, note that on your resume and in cover letters. It signals you're on the professional track even before you pass.
Target postings by jurisdiction size
Small municipalities often want one generalist who handles everything from permits to board presentations. Larger counties hire specialists. Know which environment fits your background and filter your search accordingly to avoid mismatched interviews.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists zoning administrator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for scenario-based interviews
Zoning administrator interviews frequently include hypothetical cases: a nonconforming use dispute, a variance request with neighborhood opposition, or a code ambiguity. Rehearse walking through your reasoning process step by step, not just your conclusion.
Negotiate for professional development time
Many government zoning roles cap base pay through fixed pay grades, so direct salary negotiation has limits. Advocate instead for conference attendance, APA membership reimbursement, or exam prep support, which add real career value you can carry forward.
Zoning Administrator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most zoning administrators?
The most active employers for zoning administrators right now are Blew & Associates, P.A., Emmet County, MI, and FCT, and the most openings are in New York, Virginia, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. County and municipal governments consistently represent the largest share of open roles.
How many zoning administrator jobs are remote?
About 75% of zoning administrator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person nature of most public-sector planning roles. Sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility include zoning code consulting, compliance auditing for private developers, and policy research positions at regional planning organizations.
How do you become a zoning administrator?
Start with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field, then gain experience in a planning department processing permits, variances, or conditional use applications. Work toward AICP certification once you meet the experience threshold. Many zoning administrators move up from code enforcement officer, planning technician, or assistant planner roles within the same jurisdiction.
Can you get hired as a zoning administrator with little experience?
Entry-level zoning roles do exist, typically titled zoning technician, planning aide, or permit specialist, and they're the realistic starting point with limited direct experience. Employers hiring at that level prioritize attention to detail, familiarity with municipal processes, and comfort reading legal descriptions and site plans over years of tenure. Internships with a county or city planning department strengthen your candidacy significantly.
What does the zoning administrator interview process look like?
Most jurisdictions run a structured process that starts with a panel interview including planning staff and sometimes elected officials or board members. Expect scenario questions about handling a contentious variance request or interpreting an ambiguous code provision. Some employers add a written exercise where you review a site plan or draft a staff report, so reviewing sample staff reports beforehand is worthwhile.
Where can I find and apply to zoning administrator jobs?
You can find and apply to zoning administrator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find the roles that fit your experience level and jurisdiction preference, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 40 Zoning Administrator Jobs
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