Senior Planner

Salary : $77,472.00 - $87,192.00 Annually
Location : College Place, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2000041
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/05/2024
Description
The City of College Place is looking for a Senior Planner to coordinate, organize, direct, and carry out both long range and current planning functions including code application and administration, State Environmental Policy Act application, Growth Management Act functions, and Comprehensive Plan development. Researches and analyzes technical data to apply planning and zoning regulations to complex and/or highly sensitive development, construction, and land use issues. Participates in the development of department goals and objectives. Provides staff support to a variety of planning boards, commissions, and committees.
**Open until filled with the first review of applications on 8/19/2024**
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General direction and oversight is provided by the Community Development Director.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of the Administrative Assistant and planning interns in the Directors absence.
Essential Job Functions & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all the following duties, which are a representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this class.

• Employees of the City of College Place are expected to model and foster the City's core values: Open and Honest, Cooperation, Respect, Service, & Diversity .
• Prepare agenda and reports for the development review committee, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, the Hearing Examiner, and City Council.
• Provide advice and input on decisions regarding code interpretation and level of review of development applications.
• Lead review, coordination, communication and processing of multi-faceted development applications; monitor project progress through to completion.
• Attend and participate in inter-departmental site plan review meetings to review and evaluate development proposals.
• Meet with developers for preliminary analysis and issue identification on development proposals.
• Research and prepare drafts of zoning code amendments; participate with the planning team in the development of the comprehensive plan elements.
• Consult with City departments on various aspects of a development application or citizen inquiries. Assume responsibility for united decisions among various departments and communication of requirements to the applicant.
• Implement the zoning code, subdivision code, critical areas ordinance, and short-term rental ordinance.
• Conduct Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Hearing Examiner meetings/hearings as directed.
• Make presentations before Planning Commission and Council on moderate to complex development issues; maintain accurate records.
• Write or assist in writing grant applications as needed; administer grants and comply with grant regulations; maintain accurate records and evaluate end product.
• Serve as staff liaison on committees as assigned, including multi-jurisdictional projects.
• Enforce zoning and critical area regulations that includes coordination with code enforcement.
• Attend seminars and meetings to remain current on Federal, State and local planning and environmental laws and ordinances.
• Organize and conduct City planning functions, both current and long-term.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, effective, and courteous working relationships with developers and other customers, interest groups, other City departments and divisions, and co-workers.
• Represent the City and the department in a professional manner under a wide range of circumstances.
• Write clearly in order to communicate complex planning and development issues.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrate punctual, regular and reliable attendance, which is essential for successful job performance.
• Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
• Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes, work independently and effectively with little direction.
• Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
• Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
• Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience; Licenses, Certifications & Other Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Contemporary principles and practice of urban planning; working knowledge of building permit processes, modern land use theory and regulatory tools and techniques.
• Federal, State and local planning and environmental laws and ordinances.
• Planning research techniques and resources including graphic and statistical presentations.
• Project and time management.
• Community involvement process and techniques.
• Operation of personal computers and use of planning related computer software (user knowledge) for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, GIS (ARC View) and permit tracking system.
• Read and interpret maps, development plans, detailed site plans, landscape and grading plans, and some utility plans.
• Effectively work in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Prioritize and schedule work; initiative to be self-directed while working on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Operation of computers and use of computer software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, GIS (ArcView), Bluebeam, and permit tracking software.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination equivalent to: Bachelor's degree in urban planning or a closely related field and four (4) years increasingly responsible experience in current or long-range municipal planning; including preparation of comprehensive plan amendments; implementation and evaluation of zoning and development land use codes and policies; knowledge and implementation of the Growth Management Act; understanding and processing of state and federal environmental reviews; plan review and permit processing; and inter-department communication and coordination. Valid State driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in planning or related field is highly desirable and may substitute for one (1) year experience. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) membership. Bilingual in Spanish.
Working Conditions
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Speaking to deliver presentations. Operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment; adequate mobility to conduct job duties in an office setting or in the field. Maintain concentration and attention to detail for extended periods; sitting and standing for extended periods of time; ability to communicate effectively virtually, on the telephone, or in person; seeing to verify accuracy and completeness of development proposals and documents. Operate a vehicle.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office environment; site locations; vehicles for transport between locations.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Created: 07/27/2024
FLSA: Exempt, Non-Union
The City of College Place offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Full-time positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent preferred provider medical plan with substantial City-paid contribution
• City-paid dental and vision plans
• $100,000 basic life insurance with the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Membership in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• Generous vacation leave (8-13.34 hours/month depending on tenure)
• Sick leave (8 hours/month)
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Flexible spending plan
• AFLAC

Benefits may vary based on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) with the City; employees should consult their respective CBA for specific information about their benefits.