Associate OR Senior Planner

This recruitment will remain open until closed with the first review date being August 17, 2023. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. Salary Ranges: Senior Planner: $8,067.97 - $10,208.55 Monthly Associate Planner: $7,058.25 - $8,930.92 Monthly The City of Lake Stevens, Department of Planning & Community Development, is now hiring for a great career opportunity! Recruitment is now open for the position of Senior OR Associate Planner depending on applicant qualifications. A highly qualified candidate will have experience in long-range planning. Duties and required qualifications for a Senior and Associate Planner are available in the linked job descriptions. This position will play a crucial part in supporting the Department's goal to: Maintain a unique and vibrant community that promotes economic growth and healthy neighborhoods with sustainable development and environmental protection. About City of Lake Stevens Lake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community - the second fastest-growing city in Snohomish County - with a population of over 40,000 makes us the 4th largest city in the county. Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family. The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city’s motto, “One Community Around the Lake”, embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council’s commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents. Why City of Lake Stevens? • Work-Life Balance - We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle. • Flexible Work Schedules- The city offers a variety of work schedules to include potential hybrid/remote work dependent on meeting business necessities and supervisor approval. • Work Where you Live! The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including: • Retirement- through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. • Deferred Compensation- with city match. • Excellent healthcare options- including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA). • Paid leave- including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave. • Tuition reimbursement! • See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees. Position Purpose:Senior Level: This is an advanced professional level position. Responsibilities involve planning, coordinating and participating in activities which require analysis of complex issues, program administration and/or coordination with other divisions, outside agencies and the public, and providing responsible and complex staff support. Work is performed under general direction from the Planning Manager with initiative, discretion and independent judgment in the performance of duties based on extensive knowledge of city policies, procedures, operations, and planning methodology. Typical assignments may include review of land use proposals for consistency with adopted codes, managing long-range planning projects including comprehensive plan and code amendments, and providing analysis of varying policy documents. This class is distinguished from Associate Planner by the level of complexity of work, including project management, level of expertise exercised in completing assignments, and independence required to complete projects with minimal supervision. Associate Level: This is a professional planning position of moderate difficulty. Responsibilities include the timely and efficient processing of development applications, the preparation of studies and reports and the preparation of new and revised development codes; and preparation of maps and maintaining data for the City's Geographic Information System. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner by the lower level of complexity of work and the support nature of planning responsibilities rather than project management and the level of expertise exercised in completing assignments and more routine tasks and differentiates from an Assistant Planner by having less immediate supervision. Senior Level: Essential duties may include but are not limited to: • Perform long-range planning activities such as Comprehensive Plan, annexations, rezones, subarea and/or master planning, Shoreline Master Program, SEPA reviews, zoning and subdivision ordinances, and specific community development projects • Conduct detailed planning studies including urban growth analysis, development regulation comparisons, statistical analyses, and opinion surveys • Update demographic and employment forecasts, environmental assessments, and growth management benchmarks; make reports on diverse professional subjects including population, housing, economy, and environmental quality • Lead team efforts related to the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements and environmental checklists pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Develop appropriate mitigation measures and provide the local SEPA Official with recommendations concerning environmental threshold determinations • Represent the city and present oral reports at public hearings; provide staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; provide background and technical assistance to boards and committee members; attend and participate in professional groups and committees • Direct and/or perform current planning activities such as compliance review of land use and other development permit applications consistent with local, state and federal legal requirements • Coordinate community participation processes and staff citizen advisory committees • Conduct design reviews and make recommendations to the Director • Ensure timely coordination of permit application reviews among other reviewing agencies, applicants, the public, and other city departments • Assist the public and the Planning Manager or Director by interpreting and applying Comprehensive Plan policies, land use ordinances and related environmental laws • Answer inquiries of and be available to the public and other planning agencies regarding information on the City's land use planning, development codes and permit review process • Maintain professional expertise by attending appropriate conferences and seminars from time-to-time • Assist and mentor the Associate and Assistant Planners Associate Level: Essential duties may include but are not limited to: • Processes development applications to assure compliance with applicable development regulations, zoning, subdivision, land use and environmental policies in a timely matter. Field visits and studies may be required. • Coordinate project proposal reviews with other agencies and City departments; organize, participate in, and lead meetings. • Prepare, file and maintain records throughout the life of a project. Ensure adequate project history for compliance with a variety of federal, state and local codes and provide base information to update existing records and map system. • Prepare and present staff reports and recommendations to the Director of Community Development, Hearing Examiner, City Council and other boards and commissions. • Respond to citizen inquiries regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning, Subdivision and Land Use Codes at the counter, over the phone, in writing, and at informal meetings. Researches and drafts revisions and amendments to City's development codes and regulations. • Research and prepare background data and draft correspondence and reports to supervisor and others, as requested, on both current and long-range planning projects. • Undertake special studies, reports and projects as assigned. • Investigate and respond to citizen complaints on zoning and land use issues and perform code enforcement activities under the direction of the Planning Manager or Director. • Prepare graphics and maps for written reports and/or presentations and maintaining the department mapping data using a variety of software including the City's Geographic Information System. • Work with the City Clerk's Office in the maintenance of department records and preparing documentation in response to requests for public record. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Physical Demands and Work Environment: Please see the attached questionnaire located in the above linked job descriptions for position specific physical requirements and typical working conditions. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described in the form are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions. Evening or variable hours to attend meetings is required.Associate Planner: Salary Range: $7,058.25 - $8,930.92 Monthly Education: Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field is required. Master's degree is preferred; AND Experience: Two (2) years of experience in a related field, including experience preparing maps and other presentation materials using GIS software. Experience with long range planning is desirable. Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications (examples listed below). Senior Planner: Salary Range: $8,067.97 - $10,208.55 Monthly Education: Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field is required. Master's degree is preferred; AND Experience: A minimum of (4) four years of progressively responsible experience in a public planning position, or as a private planning consultant working with municipal government is required. Experience with long range planning is desirable. Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications. Examples of these skills include: Knowledge of: • Modern principles and practices of urban planning and zoning including but not limited to an understanding of applicable laws affecting planning policies and practices. • State and federal statutes relating to current planning, zoning, land division, Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act and the Growth Management Act. • Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and ordinances. • Land use and environmental review requirements and their application in the overall permit process. • Principles and practices of research, analysis and data collection and interpretation. • Effective oral and written communication principles and practices. • Project management techniques and principles. • Detailed record-keeping techniques. Skilled in: • Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing, spreadsheet programs and web-based management systems. • Proper use of telephone etiquette and techniques and ability to assist in answering diverse inquiries. • Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. • Understanding and following oral and written directions. • Compiling, organizing, and summarizing complex, detailed material independently or from tape or oral instructions, letters, notices, bulletins or other material. • Maintaining a variety of complex filing systems, records, and reports. • Effective analysis, interpretation and documentation of research projects. Ability to: • Maintain regular, predictable and reliable attendance during scheduled hours. • Maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy. • Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team. • Work independently as necessary. • Maintain mapping database and prepare maps using the city's Geographic Information System (GIS) software. • Analyze, research and interpret codes, regulations, standards, plans and specifications. • Communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing • Facilitate public meetings • Operate and understand personal computers and typical office equipment • Be oriented towards community service and be sensitive to the public process • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, elected and appointed officials, and City employees. • Maintain a customer service orientation, be courteous and diplomatic in the exchange of information, and present a positive image of the City in a variety of circumstances. • Effectively communicate complex and technical concepts and ideas orally and in writing to variety of audiences in a clear, effective and professional manner. • Plan and organize work to meet required deadlines with a minimum amount of supervision. • Speak effectively in public in front of boards, commissions and City Council. License or Certifications Required: • Valid Washington State driver's license required. • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, preferred. • Multilingual is desirable. • Completion of a position-relevant background check. How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: • An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date. • An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role. • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. The City of Lake Stevens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. There are no limitations to who's a best fit to serve this community. If we contact you for an interview and you need specific accommodations, please let us know. Please contact Human Resources at (425) 622-9400, ten (10) days in advance to allow time for us to make proper arrangements. You're also welcome to mail your request to City of Lake Stevens Human Resources, P.O. Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258; or email to [email protected]. Apply tot his job