Senior Planner (Sound Transit/Long Range)

Employer: City of Federal Way
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 19-073
Salary: $6,088 - $7,710/month
Location: Federal Way, WA
Opening Date: 11/26/2019
Closing Date: When Filled; 1st Review 1/10/2020

Job Description:

Note: This position is funded by Sound Transit and is expected to last three (3) years or longer.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Senior Planner performs a variety of complex and professional current or long-range planning duties including: oversee municipal planning projects and programs; research, analyze and interpret data; perform planning research and review related to the Sound Transit Federal Way station development, and the planning of the Federal Way Tacoma Dome link extension; develop land use policies, prepare revisions to the Comprehensive Plan and implement Interlocal Agreements with the County; and perform lead duties as assigned.

Job Duties:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Perform a variety of complex and professional planning duties, including direct and coordinate municipal planning projects and programs; research, analyze and interpret data; develop land use policies and codes, implement Interlocal Agreements.
This Senior Planner position has a key role in participating in the development of light rail facilities planned in Federal Way.
This position will coordinate and manage the department’s review of Sound Transit land use planning activities and construction applications for the light rail facilities.
Plan, organize, coordinate and participate in major long-range Community Development planning projects and activities; develop project criteria and policies; train, provide work direction and review work of assigned project personnel; assure the timely and proper completion of work.
Coordinate interdepartmental review and review by outside agencies of long-range planning and policy issues, transportation plans and capital improvement plans; prepare staff reports and make presentations.
Coordinate and direct investigation, research, analysis and preparation of documents for public policy issues, planning and community development related to the Sound Transit facilities and other long range planning activity; coordinate the development of specific recommendations for the drafting or revision of City policies and legislation related to local and regional planning.
Advise elected officials and community leaders of public policy issues, planning procedures, special and comprehensive plans, codes and regulations; prepare and present reports to various committees and community groups to explain City and State policies, regulations and requirements.
Draft land use regulatory ordinances, ordinance amendments and Community Development plan revisions; process through review procedures.
Represent the planning section before the City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, other boards and commissions and the public; present reports, recommendations and other materials.
Meet and confer with developers, architects, contractors and others regarding specific development plans; develop checklists, comments and critiques; interpret and explain City, State and federal laws, codes, regulations and requirements.
Develop land use and zoning regulations that implement long range plans; analyze and evaluate long-range effects of current development plans; prepare revisions to elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
Coordinate planning activities with other City departments and federal, State, local and private agencies as necessary; provide information, policy interpretations and services related to plans, projects and studies.
Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Principles and practices of municipal planning and zoning, including land use policies and zoning regulations.
SEPA, Environmental impact assessments.
Permit review including site plan review and issuance procedures.
Governmental and legal procedures related to planning, zoning and land use.
Applicable land use laws, codes and regulations necessary to conduct long range planning activities.
Oral and written communication skills.
Public speaking techniques.
Public relations and interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
City organization, operations, policies and objectives.
Operation of computer equipment.
Statutory authority regarding land use and development requirements.
Research methodology as applied to the collection and analysis of planning data.

ABILITY TO:

Perform a variety of complex and professional planning duties including directing and coordinating municipal planning projects and programs, and researching, analyzing and interpreting technical and planning data.
Conduct and participate in long-range planning projects for the City.
Work effectively with other City departments, municipalities, County, State, and federal agencies, developers, contractors and the public.
Make effective oral presentations of technical information at public hearings and meetings.
Prepare effective, accurate and concise reports and graphic presentations, including reports on current and long-range planning.
Use a computer for word processing, data analysis, project tracking and/or geographic information systems.
Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Plan and organize work.
Work independently with little direction.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Physical ability to perform the essential job functions.
Demonstrated ability to positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to:

Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Geography, Urban Design or closely related field and five years increasingly responsible municipal planning experience including comprehensive planning, environmental analysis, development of land use policy, zoning implementation, plan review and application processing.
A Master’s degree will count as one year toward meeting this requirement.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: