Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Planner July 2025 City of Port Townsend Job Description Senior Planner Classification title: Senior Planner Working title: Senior Planner Department: Planning & Community Development Union: Non-represented FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 623 Hours: Full Time Effective date: 2016; July 2025 Reports to: Planning Manager Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY The Senior Planner performs advanced professional planning work, exercising independent judgment in the direct undertaking of current and long-range planning, development review, critical area and shoreline regulation, and related research. Work requires a large degree of independent responsibility and a high level of professional performance in planning, reviewing, coordinating, and undertaking a variety of complex planning tasks. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Interpret, analyze and apply ordinances, zoning regulations and other City, state, and federal regulations and laws relating to planning, zoning, and the environment and development issues. • Analyze current planning proposals and applications for residential, commercial and industrial development, including those for conditional uses, variances, subdivisions, planned unit developments, and shoreline permits to ensure consistency with Comprehensive Plan and City ordinances and policies. • Research, compile, and analyze data and information for staff reports, ordinances, and development review. • Prepare written and legally defensible project analyses for review of the Director, City Manager, resident advisory boards, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, and/or City Council including identification of appropriate land use policies, design issues, and environmental requirements; draft recommendations for action. • Lead staff liaison and facilitator of public meetings with various resident advisory boards/committees, City boards/committees and other groups as assigned. • Conduct site inspections, ensuring projects follow conditions of approval, regulations and ordinances, make recommendations on changes. • Conduct research and prepare briefings and draft findings and conclusions on subdivisions, environmental review and compliance, historic preservation, code and Comprehensive Plan amendments, and other land use applications. • Assist permit applicants and residents with City permitting procedures. • Perform environmental review in compliance with the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. • Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of land use policy and code development in relation to environmental management. • Conduct, organize and schedule customer assistance meetings and pre-application conferences with individuals seeking information prior to making permit applications. Provide documentation of information received and advice given during each pre-application conference. Senior Planner • Implement department procedures and workflows for tracking and reviewing development plans, construction plans, and construction performance to assure compliance with City codes. • Prepare public notices and meeting agendas and review meeting minutes. • Coordinate assigned activities, which may include functional supervision of assigned staff; serve as project manager; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; and meet with staff to identify and resolve problems. • Serve as liaison for and coordinate department activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations; ensure Certified Local Government requirements are met with respect to historic preservation activities. • May act as a technical and functional lead for professional and technical planning staff. • May support in leading part-time, temporary, or intern personnel within the division. • Evening meeting attendance required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Knowledge of complex planning activities under Washington State GMA. • Knowledge of planning principles and methods, particularly land use, transportation and the environment. • Working knowledge of Washington administrative, land use, environmental, growth management and shorelines laws. • Broad knowledge and experience with planning concepts, principles, techniques and practices. • Considerable knowledge of laws, codes, rules, regulations and ordinances applied to land use planning. • 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. • Skilled in professional public presentations in contentious situations. • Technical competence in growth management and environmental assessment. • Effective in guiding and leading a team to achieve desired results. • Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people. • Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness. • Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues. • Ability to work independent of supervision and exercise appropriate judgment and discretion in the exercise of duties. • Ability to comprehend, interpret and draft land use laws, rules and regulations; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations. • Ability to regularly meets expectations for work schedule, accomplishing assignments, and serving as a source of supply and support for the department, customers, and/or the organization. • Ability to prioritize and organize actions, resources, and other people to achieve targeted objectives. • Ability to work effectively and productively with others, sometimes in a team setting, and to work cooperatively, effectively and productively with internal and external customers. • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with public officials, coworkers, management, the development community, and residents, and to work as a part of a team. Senior Planner • Ability to speak, write, and listen effectively in a variety of circumstances, sharing information and ideas with others. • Ability to ensure that all involved in a program or project have a common understanding of issues, and expectations; keeps everyone informed of progress and issues. • Ability to operate a personal computer, access desired applications and utilize needed programs, tools, and utilities. • Ability to maintain punctual and reliable attendance. QUALIFICATIONS Required • Bachelor’s degree with major course work in planning, public administration, geography or related field. • Five years’ work experience in land use planning; or any equivalent combination of experience and training. Preferred • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) • Public Sector experience under Washington State Growth Management Act • Project Management Professional Certification WORKING CONDITIONS Duties are performed primarily in an office environment with sitting for long periods of time, utilizing standard office equipment and personal computer. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet to moderately noisy. 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. Occasional inspection fieldwork and reconnaissance in ravines, undeveloped sites, or other more rugged terrain. 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 Senior Planner 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.