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City of Port Townsend Job Description
Planning Manager
Classification title: Planning Manager Working title: Planning Manager
Department: Planning and
Community
Development
Union: No
FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 624
Hours: Full Time Effective date: Dec. 2024; Dec. 2025
Reports to: Planning and
Community
Development Director
Civil Service: No
JOB SUMMARY
This position works under the direction of the Planning and Community Development (PCD) Director.
The Planning Manager is a mid-level supervisory position responsible for the day-to-day management
and coordination of the Planning division. Performs advanced professional planning work, exercising
independent judgment in the direct undertaking of 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. Supervises Planning division staff, including
evaluation of performance of assigned personnel. Assists the PCD Director in preparation and
administration of the Planning division budget.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises Planning division staff, including evaluation of performance of assigned personnel.
Represents and serves as the PCD Director in their absence including interim responsibility as the
City’s SEPA, floodplain and zoning official.
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.
Update and amend adopted plans including the Comprehensive Plan and Shoreline Master
Program in conformance with the needs of the City and the requirements of state law.
Research, compile, and analyze data and information for staff reports, ordinances, and plan
amendments.
Receives, evaluates, and processes land use and development applications, ensures compliance
with permit and code requirements, and ensures permits are processed in compliance with
Municipal Code and State rules.
Prepare written project analyses for review by the Director, City Manager, resident committees,
Planning Commission and/or City Council including identification of appropriate land use policies,
design issues and environmental requirements; make recommendations for action.
Coordinates joint activities between City departments.
Resolve complex problems encountered in performance of work assignments.
Planning Manager
Identify and implement changes to the City’s land development related policies, codes or operations
including code revisions.
Assists in the formulation of planning documents and in developing, recommending and
implementing new systems, policies and procedures.
Makes decisions regarding implementation of complex and sometimes conflicting code
requirements.
Prepares and makes public presentations on planning information and activities; staffs and
facilitates public meetings with the Planning Commission, resident advisory committees, and other
committees and groups.
Provides staff support to advisory committees.
Administers contracts for services according to established guidelines.
Assists the PCD Director in preparation and administration of the Planning Division budget,
monitors expenditures and revenue in division budget throughout the year.
Maintains cooperative working relationships with City staff, other organizations and the general
public.
Assists PCD Director in grant application, management, and compliance.
General administrative and support activities as required; assists the department as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
laws, codes, rules, regulations and ordinances applied to land use planning
comprehensive planning principles, practices, regulations and techniques
municipal government organizational concepts
operations, organization, policies and objectives of long-range planning and development review
principles and practices of employee supervision, including selection, training, coaching, assigning
work, evaluating work and progressive discipline
Geographic Information System (GIS) basics
planning and environmental concepts and terminology
budget preparation and control
Ability to:
independently assess and resolve complex planning and policy issues are essential skills to
effectively carry out the responsibilities of the position
comprehend and interpret land use laws, rules and regulations
provide leadership to department personnel that includes fostering a collaborative and team-
oriented environment, motivating employees to achieve high standards, and providing strong and
honest communication to promote transparency
effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, other departments, and the
general public both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions,
provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues
prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations
demonstrate public presentation skills
establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, resident committees,
applicants, members of the public, and fellow staff
demonstrate a positive and strong desire to assist the public
demonstrate flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected
Planning Manager
challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness
Skills in:
computer and software proficiency, with emphasis in ArcGIS, Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft One Drive,
Sharepoint, Teams, Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
research techniques
interpersonal communication, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people
user-friendly government writing
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, including supervisory experience; or any
equivalent combination of experience and training.
Valid Washington Driver’s License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance
carrier.
Preferred
AICP 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 interact 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.
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. All employees must comply with all City
policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment.
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.