Human Resources

Job Location

County of Chelan Community Development 316 Washington Street Suite 301 Wenatchee, WA 98801

Description

Salary: PW22 - Steps 1-4 $6,175.22 - $6,766.66 Longevity Steps 5-8 $7,084.75 - $8,137.65

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:

Serves as a senior level professional planner.  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, ensuring compliance with County codes, and providing public information about County planning policies, regulations and activities.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Most advanced non-supervisory professional planner.  Reports to Assistant Director.  Expected to work independently and ensures keeping Assistant Director informed.  Works with project applicants to resolve issues and find solutions. Coordinates review activities with other departments and staff when appropriate.  Manages investigation, study, and presentation of large and complex projects, involving oversight of consultants and coordination of staff teams and task forces.  Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to the Director, Assistant Director, and hearing bodies.  Makes decisions on behalf of the Department and County regarding ministerial development permits.

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.

1. Manages projects involving the preparation of policies, regulations, and implementing programs influencing the growth and development of the County.  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. Monitors status of work and troubleshoots problem situations. As assigned, coordinates the work of other staff and citizen task forces or advisory committees.  Develops and implements public involvement programs.
2. Exhibits a service orientation toward customers and maintains productive working relationships.
3. Manages consultant work efforts and products, including:  scope of work, contract and budget.
4. Processes development proposals requiring discretionary County approval, for example:  Planned Unit Developments and subdivisions, including the most complex and controversial projects.  Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments and the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, prepares written staff reports, and makes recommendations to decision makers.
5. 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.
6. Provides support to the Director and Assistant Director.
7. Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the County, Community Councils, developers, and civic groups.
8. 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.
9. Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
10. Works with individuals and interest groups to facilitate decision making on issues pertaining to development permits and planning projects.
11. 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.
12. Represents the department and County by participation in regional or other interagency study committees or task forces. Makes recommendations on policy positions to Director and Assistant Director.
13. Serves as technical specialist for the department in areas of expertise (i.e., code publishing, housing, transportation, natural resources, open space taxation, forest practices, building design, historic issues, etc.).

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Prepares legal documents associated with development permits.  Monitors maintenance and performance securities, including wetland mitigation and landscaping.
2. Performs research tasks as assigned.
3. Creates and/or revises administrative procedures to implement changes to policies and codes.
4. Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
5. May assist Code Enforcement Officer in performance of his/her duties.
6. Represents the department on interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.
7. Collects and analyzes demographic, land use, and related data.  May manage automated mapping, database, and geographic information systems.
8. May assist the Director and Assistant Director in the preparation of budget requests for planning projects.
9. May assist the Assistant Director in the preparation of applications for grants.
10. May serve the County in a support role in the event of an emergency or disaster.
11. May be called upon to supervise Interns or volunteers during periods of Assistant Director absence.
12. 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 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 quickly identify options and common-sense solutions to complex problems
• Highly proficient in public relations, meeting facilitation and effective communications (speaking, listening, writing).
• 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 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 consultants, including hiring, developing contracts, and tracking and managing contracts for complex long-range planning 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:

• 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
• A master’s degree in planning or closely related field preferred
• Five (5) years of professional planning related experience with either city or county government. 
• Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planner is desirable
• Bi-lingual preferred
• Must possess or obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s license within 90 days of employment.

CLOSING STATEMENT:

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the employer