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Project Planner - Long Range

Employer: Grays Harbor Council of Governments
Job Title: Planner II, III
Job Type: Planning
Location: Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County WA
Opening Date: 06/07/2019
Closing Date: 07/01/2019
Salary: $58,000 - $68,000

Job Description: The Grays Harbor Council of Governments (GHCOG) is a regional planning agency serving Grays Harbor County, all nine cities within Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor Transit Authority, the Port of Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor PUD, Timberland Regional Library, the Chehalis Tribe and the Quinault Indian Nation. We are seeking a motivated professional with a passion for helping rural communities to join our team.

This is a highly-responsible position involving developing, coordinating and organizing planning activities and initiatives and GIS/data as needed to support those activities. This position performs professional short & long range planning work including research and analysis, plan development, grant research and writing, reports, and presentations to councils, boards, and commissions, and creation, printing, and maintenance of maps to support those activities, works with local agencies to develop comprehensive plans, capital facilities plans, park, and recreation plans and other plans/studies as needed, including but not limited to transportation, land use, and infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, be an effective communicator and be willing to be a part of a small but collaborative work environment.

Job Duties: The following duties are not inclusive of all duties, and the incumbent performs other related duties as required.

General

  • Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Be organized and detailed oriented with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate the highest degree of ethical behavior.
  • Interact with federal, state, local government agencies and officials, Member Agency staff, and the public.
  • Plan/conduct meetings/presentations with individuals and groups to guide the decision-making process.
  • Attend and participate in public meetings and hearings held by Agency and Member Agencies as needed, including occasional evening sessions.
Planning
  • Research/prepare/present staff reports, planning documents and recommendations on planning and community development issues as requested by Member Agencies and assigned by the Executive Director. Subject areas can include land use, park and environmental plans, transportation plans, capital facilities plans, comp plans, community development, and similar areas.
  • Research, develop/edit grant applications for Agency and Member Agencies.
  • Research, understand, use and communicate population, housing, employment and economic data from a variety of state and federal resources.
GIS
  • Create, update, maintain and print mapping projects utilizing ESRI products/software, ArcGIS desktop software, ArcGIS online, HP Plotter.
  • Manage and organize GIS data sets.
  • Analyze proposed and existing GIS applications and databases to help determine equipment requirements, storage needs, and possible system enhancements.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills: 

Education

  • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in planning, urban studies, public administration or a related field.

Experience

  • This is a mid-level professional planning classification. Four or more years of planning work experience for one or more public agencies, preferably local public agencies, is desirable.

Proficient use of ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS online, HP Plotter, Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access), Microsoft Windows, Internet, and computer networks. Experience with website and/or graphic design software is a plus.

Ability to satisfactorily pass a background investigation which shows no criminal activity which could directly impact the ability to perform the job.

Requires a valid Washington State Driver’s License and appropriate insurance.

Requires knowledge sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibilities as illustrated by examples in the above description of duties.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the theories, practices, principles, and techniques of public sector planning.
  • Knowledge of GIS concepts and methods.
  • Knowledge of Washington State land use including the State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Critical Areas Ordinances and other related policies and procedures is preferred.
  • Skills in project management.
  • Skills in public presentations, public hearings, meetings, and other public review processes.
  • Skills in operating ArcGIS Desktop and Arc GIS online programs and Microsoft programs.
  • Ability to perform in an environment that requires independent evaluation, judgment and decision making.
  • Ability to implement local planning objectives.
  • Ability to prepare and/or assist in the preparation of comprehensive plans, reports, and studies.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, co-workers, Member Agency staff and the general public in a courteous and tactful manner.
  • Ability to organize work efficiently to meet deadlines and budget constraints.

How to Apply: Full job posting and requirements available at http://www.ghcog.org on the homepage under latest news.

Supplemental Information: 

Work Environment/Physical Demands: Work is performed in a normal office environment. Deadlines, volume of work, occasional evening work requires a flexible schedule. Requires sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, using a PC work station for extended hours, extensive reading, lifting up to 25 pounds on occasion, driving throughout Grays Harbor County and the region for presentations and participation in meetings and hearings. The person in this position must have the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges; be able to communicate via phone; vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.