Human Resources

Open until filled with first review date 1/10/2025

2025 Salary: PW19 Steps 2-4  $5,889.89-6,450.01 Longevity Steps 5-8 $6,751.25-$7,748.39

The position includes a state retirement system, with a deferred comp program available. Health insurance package includes Medical, Dental, and county contributions to a personal health savings account. Includes 11 paid holidays and 2 floating personal holidays along with monthly accrued vacation and sick leave. 

POSITION PURPOSE:

Implements the mission of the Department in order to assure orderly growth of the County and coordination of planning efforts in Urban Growth Areas.  Undertakes and coordinates professional planning services for a broad range of planning activities involving:  long range comprehensive planning, drafting of development regulations, processing of discretionary and ministerial development applications, collection and analysis of geographic/socioeconomic data, and providing public information about County planning policies, regulations and activities.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Serves as mid-level non-supervisory professional planner.  Reports to Assistant Director. Coordinates work with other staff when appropriate. Provides information to the public about County land use regulations and policies. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to the Director, Assistant Director, and hearing bodies. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES: 

Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties, which are representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this classification.

• Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials – over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, through mail, and at meetings – regarding the County’s land use regulations and policies.

• Serve as a project manager of a wide variety of development applications requiring discretionary County approval, for example:  land use permits, shoreline permits, Planned Developments and subdivisions, including some complex and controversial projects. 
• Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments and, prepares written staff reports, and makes recommendations to decision makers.
• Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Performs technical review of building and other ministerial development permits to ensure compliance with zoning and related development regulations, comprehensive plan policies, and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits.
• Conducts research, prepares options, makes recommendations, and drafts proposed amendments to planning and regulatory documents such as:  The Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Shoreline Master Program, Subdivision Ordinance, and Chelan County Code. 
• Develops and implements public involvement programs.

Additional responsibilities:

• May manage demographic data and geographic information systems.
• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the County, Community Councils, developers, and civic groups.
• Prepares and delivers public presentations of staff reports at public meetings and hearings before the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner and other hearing bodies.
• Works with individuals and interest groups to facilitate decision making on issues pertaining to development permits and planning projects.
• Prepares legal documents associated with development permits.  Monitors maintenance and performance securities, including wetland mitigation and landscaping.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Performs research tasks as assigned.
• Creates and/or revises administrative procedures to implement changes to policies and codes.
• Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
• May assist Code Enforcement Officer in performance of his/her duties.
• Represents the department on interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.
• Collects and analyzes demographic, land use, and related data.  May manage automated mapping, database, and geographic information systems.
• May assist the Director and Assistant Director in the preparation of budget requests for planning projects.
• May assist the Assistant Director in the preparation of applications for grants.
• May serve the County in a support role in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• Other duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge of planning practices and land use codes
• Advanced knowledge of one or more planning issues such as:  rural planning, site design, agricultural issues, transportation, housing, natural resources, economic development, computerized information systems, comprehensive planning, and land use regulation.
• Growth Management Act, SEPA, Shoreline Management Act and other State land use laws
• Principles and practices of research and data collection of land use information
• Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situation

Skills in:

• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly and concisely to the public, elected officials, and stakeholders with tact and confidence

• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems
• Effective written and oral communications
• Highly proficient in public relations and interpersonal communications and meeting facilitation
• Computer and equipment operations necessary to the functions of the position including the use of a variety of software programs such as Windows, MS Office (inclusive of Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), and ESRI GIS viewing products
• Being flexible and adaptable to changing priorities

Ability to:

• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work well with peers
• Ability to follow direction of superiors
• Ability to analyze code and apply the provisions
• Ability to be flexible to changing priorities
• Ability to organize and carryout the work program for complex long-range planning projects
• Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and verbally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies, working groups, and diverse groups of participants
• Ability to manage projects utilizing consultants, including assisting the Director and/or Assistant Director with RFQ development and consultant selection, scope of work development, developing contracts, and tracking and managing those contracts for complex long-range planning and code development projects
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload
• Ability to negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on planning issues
• Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, project management, and permit tracking
• Ability to read and understand maps, architectural plans, and ability to use architect’s and engineer’s scales and perform mathematical calculations
• Ability to perform site visits on varied terrain and conditions required

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

• Respectful, courteous, and friendly to customers, other County employees, and County leadership; demonstrates and maintains honest and ethical behavior.  Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with peers and management
• A team player that helps the organization meet its objectives; takes initiative to meet department and county goals
• Effectively communicates with customers, other County employees, and external agencies.  Positively represents the County, maintaining the trust County residents have placed in each of us

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are performed primarily in an office environment and public settings, but do include outside inspections subjecting this position to a variety of weather and driving conditions
• Work is mostly performed independently but does include small and large group settings
• Demands of managing multiple activities, addressing citizen needs and meeting established timeframes for work performance may cause stressful situations
• Work under pressures and under high liability exposure
• Position requires appropriate attire and image, projecting a professional presence
• Occasional evening meetings are a required part of this position
• Out-of-town travel and a non-traditional work schedule may be required, at the sole discretion of the County

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree in planning, architecture, natural resources, government administration or other closely related field.
• Three (3) years of professional planning related experience with either city or county government. 
• Equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
• Bi-lingual preferred.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s license within 90 days of employment.