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CITY OF OLYMPIA
invites applications for the position of:
Senior Planner
SALARY: $39.54 - $48.07 Hourly
$6,852.92 - $8,331.37 Monthly
$82,235.09 - $99,976.45 Annually
OPENING DATE: 1.11.2022
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
DESCRIPTION:
Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "To Apply" section below to learn more.
New hires must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a condition of employment with the City of Olympia. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
About the Position
The Olympia Community Planning and Development Department seeks a qualified individual to fill the position of Senior Planner. The selected individual will be responsible for long range planning activities including but not limited to preparation of subarea plans, updates to the City’s Unified Development Code and amendments to the Olympia Comprehensive Plan including the upcoming 2025 periodic update. This position will also serve as the liaison to the Olympia Planning Commission. The ideal candidate will have substantial training in preparing a variety of code and comprehensive plan amendments and presenting proposals to advisory groups and elected officials.
Ideal Candidate Profile
• Serve as project lead for the most complex level of individual planning projects;
• Understand, explain and administer land use regulations and similar documents.
• Prepare staff reports and other documents that clearly and accurately convey complex information to the public, city advisory commissions and city council.
• Organize, direct, and control the preparation of a variety of ordinances, guidelines, opinions, official decisions, investigative reports, and numerical data related to planning, growth management, development and infrastructure impacts.
• Conduct meaningful and extensive public outreach processes.
• Respond to and resolve potentially confrontational situations.
• Build strong working relationships with other agencies and city staff.
• Work independently in successfully managing long-term projects and consultants hired for such projects.
• Manage time and prioritize responsibilities to perform the duties of the position with the resources available.
• Act in a responsible and respectful manner toward all members of the community.
• Grant and contract management experience.
To Apply
To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible. We do not accept resumes and cover letters. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 360.570.8305.
• This is a continuous recruitment. To be eligible for first review, submit your application by 5 p.m. February 1, 2022.
• Answer the Supplemental Questions included as part of this employment opportunity.
• Only electronic applications are accepted.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner at 360.570.3722 or via email at jphillip@ci.olympia.wa.us.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:
• Responsible for completing a variety of activities relating to the City's planning functions.
• Coordinate the preparation or administration of plans, land use regulations, design standards, information systems, or planning programs.
• Maintain the City’s Comprehensive Plan and ensure compliance with federal and state statutes.
• Present, explain and defend the City’s position on complex and controversial issues before appointed officials, elected officials, board and commissions.
• Undertake personal responsibility for the start to finish planning, implementation, and completion of the most complex individual projects, assignments, programs, and analyses within the scope of the division’s responsibilities.
• Conduct complex studies related to land use, transportation, shoreline, community and economic development, environment, or historic preservation.
• Manage or conduct investigations, analysis, and preparation of documents and reports on planning issues, policies, and their application.
• Manage consultant selection processes, contracts and scopes of work.
• Provide staff support to appointed committees on planning and zoning issues or special studies.
• Prepare and present reports to hearings bodies, committees, community groups, and private organizations to explain the impact of projects and developments.
• Provide technical and administrative assistance as staff planner for City Council and appointed Boards or Commissions.
• Respond to public inquiries with information on planning projects, processes and policies.
• Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Knowledge of municipal government policies, procedures, structure, operations, and objectives.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances including the Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, State Shoreline Act, and other land use statues related to urban planning.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the planning field.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal planning and zoning.
• Knowledge of research methodology as applied to the collection and analysis of planning data.
• Knowledge of planning information sources including demographic data, economic data, environmental factors, land development trends, and legal requirements.
• Knowledge of engineering, architecture, and/or cartographic illustration.
• Knowledge of general principles and practices of governmental budgeting, accounting, and purchasing.
• Knowledge of modern personal computer software, such as database, word processing, publishing, and spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of correct use of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Team and individual supervisory principles and practices.
• Knowledge of detailed technical aspects of one or more specialty areas of urban planning.
• Knowledge of use of research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures to define and resolve issues.
• Knowledge of effective use of interpersonal communication skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner.
• Knowledge of effective organization and expression of ideas through use of oral and written communications.
Education/Experience
• Graduate degree or equivalent experience in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field and four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the planning field.
• Experience in staff supervision desired, but not preferred or required.
• Additional related professional experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on a year for year basis.
Special Requirements
• Valid Washington State Driver's License may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Contacts
• The Senior Planner has significant daily contact with the public, elected/appointed officials, and a variety of staff members of external agencies and City departments.
• Contacts are primarily for information sharing and problem resolution.
• Some contacts may be confrontational, requiring the Senior Planner to explain, defend, and support City policies, ordinances, and procedures in a professional, concise, and respectful manner.
• Senior Planners also have daily contact with other City staff to share information, coordinate work, and resolve problems.
• Contacts with elected and appointed officials often take place in public forums or venues.
• The Senior Planner may be the primary contact between advisory boards and City staff.
Supervision
• Lead project teams as assigned.
• May assist in the training and/or supervision of less experienced staff members.
Accountability
• Senior Planners, under supervision of the Principal Planner, are responsible for speaking on behalf of and effectively representing the position of the City in sensitive planning and development issues.
• Incumbents must complete all assigned work in a timely and professional manner.
• Senior Planners are given broad latitude to use independent judgment in developing recommendations and making decisions in their program area.
Working Conditions
• Senior Planners work primarily in an office and also must spend a portion of time performing out-of-doors site investigations.
• Site investigations may require working on rough terrain, in and around construction sites, in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, on boats, and in proximity to heavy equipment.
• Frequent travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences during standard working hours is required.
• Periodic evening and occasional weekend work is required.
In order to participate in the recruitment process, accommodations for people with disabilities may be made by contacting Human Resources at (360) 753-8442.
The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage people who are Black or Indigenous, people of color, transgender, non-binary, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and women to apply.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.olympiawa.gov
PO Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507
360-753-8305
Position #2100166
SENIOR PLANNER
CW
Senior Planner Supplemental Questionnaire
* 1. How many years of experience do you have as an urban planner?
* 2. Please describe how your education, work and/or other experience prepared you for this position?
3. Describe your experience serving as staff liaison/support to boards and commissions appointed by a legislative body.
* 4. Describe your experience preparing a subarea plan.
* 5. Describe your experience developing and implementing a community engagement/public participation plan.
* 6. Are you willing to work on either long range or current planning/development review projects, or a combination of both current and long-range planning assignments?
* 7. Why do you want to work for the City of Olympia?
* Required Question
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