Senior Planner

Employer: City of Shoreline
Job Title: Senior Planner
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: Fully Benefited, $78,053.00 - $98,920.00 Annually
Location: Shoreline, WA
Opening Date: 08/08/2019
Closing Date: 08/25/2019

Job Description:

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity. The Shoreline Planning & Community Development Department is hiring a Senior Planner to join a planning team of six assistant, associate and senior planners in this rapidly growing inner-ring city of 56,000. The City is preparing for two Link Light Rail Stations, the mixed-use redevelopment of Shoreline Place and the update of several long-range planning documents. Be a part of the team implementing innovative deep green construction standards and transformation of the light rail station areas with sustainable, transit-oriented redevelopment.

The successful candidate will enjoy a fast-paced work environment and have experience and skills in evaluating complex policy documents; developing public outreach plans; making public presentations; managing and reviewing complex land use applications; interpreting and applying, applicable development codes; conducting environmental review; performing on-site building and landscape inspections; and providing customer service.

The Planning & Community Development department currently has 24 staff members including permit technicians, plans examiners, planners, inspectors, and support staff. Planners do both development review and long-range planning including staff support of the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, and City Council. City Staff is proud of our customer service focused work ethic and environmental sustainability goals.

DEFINITION To perform a variety of complex, professional planning functions in support of land use regulations and/or urban, regional and community development; to provide staff assistance to an assigned supervisor; and to perform and coordinate a variety of planning and development functions relative to assigned area of responsibility. 

Job Duties:

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

  1. Perform a variety of professional planning functions in support of land use regulations and urban, regional and community development; cooperatively develop and administer complex long-range planning programs and studies relating to assigned planning area, including the development of criteria and policies for program administration. Coordinate with staff from other departments for plan and regulation implementation.
  2. Act as a project manager and planning reviewer for land use and development permit applications including rezones; review special reports (eg. Traffic Studies, Critical Area Studies); review applications for compliance with SEPA and determine appropriate mitigation; prepare staff reports, decision documents, letters and public notifications regarding permit applications.
  3. Prepare SEPA checklists and Draft, Supplemental and Final Environmental Impact Statements for applicable project and non-project actions initiated by the City. Additionally, coordinate the review of Draft, Supplemental and Final Environmental Impact Statements for project and non-project actions proposed by non-City applicants occurring within the City.
  4. Make recommendations for new or streamlined permit and review processes.
  5. Review engineering, architectural and landscape plans as part of permit applications for compliance with development regulations and conditions.
  6. Provide excellent customer service by meeting with applicants for land use and development permits to evaluate proposals and assist with successful project implementation.
  7. Prepare and present written, oral and visual reports to Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, City Council, and other public and private committees, hearing bodies, community groups and organizations to explain City policies, regulations, plans and community impacts within assigned planning area; represent the City at regional forums.
  8. Administer and maintain agreements and contracts with public agencies, funding agencies, and private organizations; oversee and review the work of consultants and contracting agencies.
  9. Respond to general public inquiries regarding planning and zoning regula¬tions within assigned planning area of responsibility.
  10. Facilitate Resident Advisory Committees and host public meetings including notification, materials, presentation and other duties.

Marginal Functions:

  1. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the assigned field of urban planning.
  2. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

Preferred experience includes working with local governmental agencies, electronic plans review, project management, and public outreach. 

Knowledge of:

  • Principles, practices, theories, terminology, and applications of urban planning.
  • Theories, practices, and techniques of transportation planning.
  • Principles and practices of data collection and analysis.
  • Functional areas of planning and their relationship to the planning process.
  • Principles of planning, zoning, regulation, construction and market forces.
  • Methods and techniques used to create and maintain computer databases.
  • Methods and techniques used to review and approve various development permits or development applications.
  • Principles and practices of program development and administration.
  • Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
  • Principles of sustainability, including emerging technologies and innovative programs.
  • Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
  • Principles and practices of public administration and government organization.
  • Project management, including the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.

Ability to:

  • Perform a variety of professional planning functions in support of assigned area of responsibility.
  • Develop and administer current or long-range planning programs and studies.
  • Develop and administer planning goals, objectives and procedures.
  • Administer the development and modification of the City's Comprehensive Plan, development regulations, or other City planning and development activities.
  • Conduct technical planning research and field studies.
  • Recommend revisions to City policies and regulations in area of responsibility.
  • Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
  • Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, codes, laws, and regulations.
  • Review and approve development permits and applications or other matters within area of responsibility.
  • Prepare and present clear and concise reports.
  • Administer and maintain agreements and contracts with various public agencies and consultants.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Create and give presentations for a variety of audiences.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Use modern office equipment and programs.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible urban planning, environmental, or transportation experience.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, environmental planning, transportation planning, architecture, or public administration or related field.


How to Apply:

APPLICATIONS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED THROUGH THE CITY OF SHORELINE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM. Required materials: A resume and cover letter that explain how your qualifications make you the best candidate for this position are required.

Learn more and apply now