Planner I / Planner II

• SALARY: PLANNER I PW-16 STEPS 2-4 $5,568.21 - $6,093.61 LONGEVITY: STEP 5-8 $6 ,376.18 - $7,311.53 (DOE)

• SALARY: PLANNER II PW-19 STEPS 2-4 $ 6,125.48 -$6,708.01 LONGEVITY: STEPS 5-8 $ 7,021.30 - $ 8,058.32 (DOE)

• Participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) retirement program, with an optional deferred compensation program. Comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, plus County contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Employees receive up to 11 paid holidays annually, additional floating holidays as provided by the applicable collective bargaining agreement, and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave.

• SUMMARY

• Implements the mission of the Department in order to assure orderly growth of the County and coordination of planning efforts in Urban Growth Areas. Undertakes and coordinates professional planning services for a broad range of planning activities involving: long range comprehensive planning, drafting of development regulations, processing of discretionary and ministerial development applications, collection and analysis of geographic/socioeconomic data, and providing public information about County planning policies, regulations and activities.

• Serves as mid-level non-supervisory professional planner. Reports to Director and Assistant Director. Coordinates work with other staff when appropriate. Provides information to the public about County land use regulations and policies. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to the Director, Assistant Director, and hearing bodies.

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties, which are representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this classification.

• Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials – over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, through mail, and at meetings – regarding the County’s land use regulations and policies.

• Serve as a project manager of a wide variety of development applications requiring discretionary County approval, for example: land use permits, shoreline permits, Planned Developments and subdivisions, including some complex and controversial projects.

• Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments and, prepares written staff reports, and makes recommendations to decision makers.

• JOB DESCRIPTION – PLANNER II | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.

• Performs technical review of building and other code-regulated development permits to ensure compliance with zoning and related development regulations, comprehensive plan policies, and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits.

• Performs research tasks as assigned, prepares options, makes recommendations, and drafts proposed amendments to planning and regulatory documents such as: The Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Shoreline Master Program, Subdivision Ordinance, and Chelan County Code.

• Develops and implements public involvement programs.

• May manage demographic data and geographic information systems.

• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the County, Community Councils, developers, and civic groups as well as interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.

• Prepares and delivers public presentations of staff reports at public meetings and hearings before the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner and other hearing bodies.

• Works with individuals and interest groups to facilitate decision making on issues pertaining to development permits and planning projects.

• Prepares legal documents associated with development permits. Monitors maintenance and performance securities, including wetland mitigation and landscaping.

• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

• Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks including creating and/or revising administrative procedures to implement changes to policies and codes.

• May assist Code Enforcement Officer in performance of his/her duties.

• Collects and analyzes demographic, land use, and related data. May manage automated mapping, database, and geographic information systems.

• May assist the Director and Assistant Director in the preparation of budget requests for planning projects and in the preparation of applications for grants.

• May serve the County in a support role in the event of an emergency or disaster.

• Respectful, courteous, and friendly to customers, other County employees, and County leadership; demonstrates and maintains honest and ethical behavior. Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with peers and management

• A team player that helps the organization meet its objectives; takes initiative to meet department and county goals

• Effectively communicates with customers, County employees, and external agencies. Positively represents the County, maintaining the trust County residents have placed in each of us.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

• QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge of planning practices and land use codes.
• Advanced knowledge of one or more planning issues such as: rural planning, site design, agricultural issues, transportation, housing, natural resources, economic development, computerized information systems, comprehensive planning, and land use regulation.
• Growth Management Act, SEPA, Shoreline Management Act and other State land use laws.
• Principles and practices of research and data collection of land use information.

Skills in:

• Oral and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly and concisely to the public, elected officials, and stakeholders with tact and confidence
• Highly proficient in public relations and interpersonal communications and meeting facilitation
• Computer and equipment operations necessary to the functions of the position including the use of a variety of software programs such as Windows, MS Office (inclusive of Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), permit tracking, and ESRI GIS viewing products
• Being flexible and adaptable to changing priorities

Ability to:

• Work independently as well as work well with peers

• Follow direction of superiors

• Analyze code and apply the provisions

• Be flexible to changing priorities to organize and prioritize workload

• Organize and carryout the work program for complex long-range planning projects

• Communicate clearly both in writing and verbally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies, working groups, and diverse groups of participants

• Manage projects utilizing consultants, including assisting the Director and/or Assistant Director with RFQ development and consultant selection, scope of work development, developing contracts, and tracking and managing those contracts for complex long-range planning and code development projects

• Negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on planning issues

• Read and understand maps, architectural plans, and ability to use architect’s and engineer’s scales and perform mathematical calculations

• Perform site visits on varied terrain and conditions required

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE PLANNER 1

• A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in planning, law, architecture, engineering, natural resources, government administration or other closely related field.

• One (1) year of professional planning related experience with either city or county government or as a consultant.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE PLANNER 2

• A bachelor’s degree in planning, architecture, natural resources, government administration or other closely related field.

• Three (3) years of professional planning related experience with either city or county government.

• Equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions