Associate Planner

Are you ready to shape the future of our community? Join our team to guide land use, review plans, and make a real, lasting impact on the places people live, work, and play. As a mid-level Planner position, between Assistant Planner and Senior Planner, performs routine professional activities supporting the administration of current planning programs. Work involves responding to public requests for information, assisting the public on zoning and land use inquiries, processing building permit applications, subdivision applications, site plan review, shoreline management permits, conditional use permits, zoning variances, and related project environmental review. Why join us? • Impactful Work: Every project you guide strengthens the heart of our community. • Professional Growth: Access to continuous learning opportunities and career advancement. • Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, retirement plans, and generous paid time off (vacation and sick). • Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated and supportive team passionate about public service. • Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work schedules and a commitment to your well-being; 14 paid holidays plus a floating holiday. The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. • Reviews permit applications for building, clearing, and grading, and tree removal, code violations, and accessory dwellings; approves plans, certifies compliance, and conducts follow-up inspections. • Identifies and confirms recorded plats, applicable land use, environmental, zoning, and design regulations; issues correction requests for code compliance including zoning, setback regulations, and environmental impact. • Provides information to architects, engineers, planners, contractors, landowners, and others regarding city planning processes and timelines, land use, zoning, and community development projects. • Assists in code development or long-range planning activities including subarea planning, comprehensive plan amendments, or ordinance development that includes working with the Planning Commission. • Processes and reviews moderately complicated land use permit applications such as shoreline exemptions, short plats and site plans, zoning variances, and conditional use permits. Reviews applications for code compliance including zoning, setback regulations, environmental impact, etc. • Coordinates activities and assigned special studies with planning staff and other departments, county and state agencies, city advisory boards and consulting professionals; compiles information and prepares reports, images, and recommendations as requested. • Performs site visits, assisting with inspections for various building permits and code enforcement cases; works with departmental staff, property owners, and developers to achieve compliance requirements. • Prepares staff reports and recommendations for the Hearing Examiner, with a moderate coordination with their supervisor; may attend public hearings regarding land use applications as a representative of the city, or to assist the assigned city representative as needed. • Conducts research, compiles information, and makes recommendations on special studies. • Provides written recommendations pertaining to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determinations for project permit applications. • Assists in code development and/or simple long-range planning activities including but not limited to, sub-area planning, drafting amendments to the comprehensive plan, developing ordinances, and interacting with the City Planning Commission. • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. • May be required to attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events based on organizational responsibilities and/or requirements. SUPERVISION EXERCISED • This position has no supervisory responsibilities. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in urban, city, or regional planning, or related field; supplemented by at least one (1) year of professional planning experience and/or in a permitting office; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience. Employees must be residents of Washington State. CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES None required. • May be required to possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Two (2) years of experience working for a city or county government, reviewing development applications, and providing public information. KNOWLEDGE OF • Principles and practices of municipal or city planning and permitting processes. • Analytical techniques pertaining to regional planning. • Permit tracking systems. • City organization, operations, policies, and objectives. • Research techniques and procedures. • Interpreting land descriptions, maps, drawings, charts, plans, survey records, and aerial photos. • Principles and practices of file and records management. SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Prepare reports and graphic presentations. • Research and maintain a variety of technical records using computerized systems and applications. • Meet schedules and legal timelines. • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. • Analyze and apply Municipal Code and understand legal descriptions, deeds, plat books, maps, and software procedures manuals. • Create and manage geodatabase and perform spatial analysis for project areas. • Use of Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department/organization specific software and ability to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required. • Clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing, and use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation • Responsive and flexible handling of work assignments and prioritizing work to complete assignments accurately and timely • Maintain a customer service orientation and positive image of the city to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, adhering to strict confidentiality requirements. • Regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, fumes, temperature, weather, and noise extremes). SENSORY REQUIREMENTS Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity. Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Apply tot his job