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Home My WebLink AboutAssociate Planner City of Port Townsend Job Description Associate Planner Classification title: Associate Planner Working title: Associate Planner Department: PCD Union: Teamsters FLSA status: Non-exempt Wage Classification: 29.3 Hours: 40 Effective date: June 2024 Reports to: Planning Manager Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Performs a variety of professional planning duties, such as reviewing land use applications for compliance with applicable ordinances and regulations; researching, developing, and implementing plans, policies, and ordinances. Supporting tasks include providing information to the public and applicants concerning City procedures, applications, and regulations; and preparing and presenting staff reports. The Associate Planner performs routine and complex administrative, technical, and professional work in the current and/or long-range planning programs of the City related to the development and implementation of land use and related municipal plans and policies. The Associate Planner classification is distinguished from the Assistant Planner classification by the assignment of a full range of journey-level duties and responsibilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employee shall meet all requirements of the Knowledge Skills, and Abilities to advance from Assistant Planner to Associate Planner, which skills and abilities are considered essential functions for Associate Planner. • Processes, reviews, and tracks land use applications; conducts background research; coordinates review by other departments and agencies; prepares reports and draft decision documents; maintains accurate records; and prepares legal notices. • Understands, explains, and applies local, state, and federal policies and regulations relating to planning and development. • Provides technical and procedural assistance in a clear, concise, and professional manner to the general public and to development professionals for all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations involved in the permit process; assistance may be given at the front counter, in small groups, or by phone, email, or formal letter. • Conducts customer assistance meetings and pre-application conferences with individuals seeking information prior to making permit applications. Provides documentation of information received and advice given during each pre-application conference. • Performs zoning and critical area review of building permit and public works applications. • Serves as a member of the City’s development review team in facilitating and coordinating the review of projects. • Coordinates activities with other staff members, applicants, consultants, and outside agencies involved in the permit process. Provides timely responses to requests for information. • Performs field investigations and gathers, analyzes, interprets, and reports on various land use and land characteristic data regarding land use applications; takes photographs. Performs code Associate Planner review of development proposals and determines whether applications satisfy development regulations. • Prepares and maintains files for various land use permits, hearings, studies and reports including pertinent documentation. This may include preparation of materials for public notifications and hearings. • Preparation of public information materials. • Makes presentations to and/or participates in hearings before the City Council, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, Design Review Board and other citizen advisory groups; attends public meetings and presents information on planning and zoning issues. • May be asked to serve as staff liaison to or to participate as an active member of City commissions/boards/committees and interdepartmental/inter-agency work groups. • Functions as a member of the PCD team, working closely with the Planning Manager and others to conduct current and/or long-range planning projects and day-to-day activities in accordance with the City’s and department’s goals and policies. • Representation at meetings and conferences. • Assists the Code Compliance Officer in code enforcement. • Recommends permit procedure improvements. • Willingness and ability to attend and participate in evening meetings. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES To show competency for these knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements, the employee must have worked in an equivalent position for another agency or worked for the City as an Assistant Planner for a minimum of two years demonstrating the skills for this position. • Knowledge of principles, practices, regulations, and techniques in the field of municipal land use planning including land use, transportation, environmental impact, or other related areas. • Knowledge of federal and state laws, including the State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, Platting and Subdivision Act, and Shorelines Management Act. • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex codes and documents, to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. • Ability to interpret land use plans, maps, construction drawings, and property descriptions; including the ability to use architectural and/or engineering scales. • Ability to conduct research in an effective and efficient manner, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. • Ability to prepare clear and concise written documents and/or presentations. • Ability to use initiative and independent judgment (within established procedural guidelines) to manage multiple assignments and deliver results within applicable timelines. • Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or regulations. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with public officials, planning staff, the development community, citizens, and work as a part of a team. • Ability to gather and collect data and other information related to plans based on survey and analysis of data, citizen participation, and agency consultation. • Knowledge of land use and construction permit review Multidisciplinary collaboration, facilitation, and leadership skills • Proficiency in computer applications related to planning and development operations to include but not limited to permit database system, Bluebeam Revu or Computer Aided Design, GIS, and Microsoft 365 software applications. Associate Planner • Ability to read and interpret complex grants and assist with grant writing. QUALIFICATIONS Required High school graduation (or GED) and any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, geography, or a related field. Minimum two years of experience as an assistant planner or entry-level planner or equivalent. Requires well-developed written and oral communication skills and the ability to establish effective, ongoing relationships with public officials, applicants, members of the public, and fellow staff. A positive attitude and a strong desire to assist the public are essential. WORKING CONDITIONS Duties are performed primarily in an office environment with sitting for long periods of time, using standard office equipment and personal computer. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. May be required to deal with upset customers. This position typically requires movement around the office, reaching, pushing, grasping, finger dexterity, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. OTHER CITY REQUIREMENTS • Punctual and consistent attendance. • Possess a Washington Driver’s License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. • Dress and grooming appropriate to the position. • Safety attire, equipment and practices appropriate to the position. • Deal tactfully and courteously with the public. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by their supervisors. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.