Senior Planner (COM 3)

Description

Senior Planner (COM 3)
At the Department of Commerce we strive to be creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities and aim to promote equity in all aspects of our work. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we work to foster an environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the richness of the communities we serve. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local governments and community based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. It also provides grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities.

This position works within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit of LGD. This position provides technical assistance to counties and cities in Washington State through the review of comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances and development regulations on a statewide basis ensuring the GMS Plan Review system does not develop a backlog of review work. In addition, this position will assume one or more GMA related technical specialties and provide assistance related to the specialty to other GMS planners and counties and cities. This position requires a strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act.

Duties

• Position works within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit of LGD.

• Provides technical assistance to counties and cities in Washington State.

• Reviews comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations on a statewide basis.

• Ensures the GMS Plan Review system does not develop a backlog of review work.

• Assumes one or more GMA-related technical specialties.

• Provides assistance related to the specialty to other GMS planners, counties, and cities.

• Requires strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act.

• Serve as the GMS unit’s subject matter expert on one or more GMA-related specialties (e.g., rural lands, transportation, critical areas, resource lands, urban growth areas, housing, capital facilities, climate change, economic development, buildable lands, local project review and permitting).

• Independently determine jurisdictional needs and provide appropriate technical assistance regarding comprehensive plans and development regulations.

• Provide technical assistance to Washington counties, cities, and other stakeholders on issues related to the assigned technical specialty.

• Complete legislative bill analysis and draft testimony to the legislature.

• Serve as the lead for rulemaking related to the technical specialty.

• Provide contract management for growth management and other planning grants administered by Commerce.

• Develop, negotiate, and monitor financial packages for local governments, including scope of work and budget.

• Oversee the expenditure of funds and ensure the adequacy of deliverables.

• Analyze and review comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations from counties and cities in Washington State to alleviate temporary plan review backlogs experienced by the GMS unit during periodic update cycles and other times as needed.

• Use independent, critical thinking to determine appropriate plan review comments and prepare letters or other communications and feedback to local governments on items reviewed.

• Determine existing needs and communicate with the Regional Manager about alleviating temporary plan review workflow and bottleneck issues as they arise.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Seven years total of a combination of formal education, beyond high school equivalence (to include relevant college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs) and professional experience as described, which could include but are not limited to:

• Seven years of professional experience in local or regional government planning, implementation of state or federal requirements, contract management (particularly those funded with state grants or loans), or policy research.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree relating to urban and regional planning, or a similar field, and three years of any combination of professional experience in local or regional government planning, implementation of state or federal requirements, contract management (particularly those funded with state grants or loans), or policy research.

OR

• Master’s degree relating to urban and regional planning, or a similar field, and two years of any combination of professional experience in local or regional government planning, implementation of state or federal requirements, contract management (particularly those funded with state grants or loans), or policy research.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Washington state planning and plan implementation procedures.
• Specialized training or experience related to a GMA technical specialty.
• Experience with administration of state or federal grants for planning.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or ability to obtain AICP certification within two years of appointment.

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

Supplemental Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system atcareershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov.  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.