Senior Planner - City of Lynnwood

Employer: City of Lynnwood
Job Type: Planning
Job Number: 2019-00064
Division: Community Development
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Opening Date: 08/22/2019
Closing Date: Until Filled

Job Description:

The City of Lynnwood Development and Business Services is seeking a Senior Planner to work on a variety of current and long-range projects. Lynnwood's superior accessibility, location, community amenities, and people focus have made Lynnwood a great deal more! Our City is experiencing a significant growth in development. Sound Transit's light-rail extension is a catalyst to achieve Lynnwood's strategic priorities for new development in the Lynnwood City Center and Regional Growth Center. Major developments are occurring citywide in both the public and private sectors.

The ideal candidate will be customer-service focused and will have experience in the following:

Creating and implementing policies on sensitive and complex topics;
Successfully engaging the public;
Making presentations to the public and decision-making bodies;
Managing and reviewing complex land use applications;
Writing, interpreting, and applying development codes and design guidelines;
Conducting environmental review;
Performing on-site inspections.

Preferred experience includes working with or for local government agencies, electronic plan review, project management, and public outreach. The successful candidate will enjoy working on a diverse range of projects such as the in-progress South Lynnwood Sub-Area Plan, housing policy and programming creation and implementation, a rewrite of the City's zoning code, review of new developments, and updates to existing design guidelines. Opportunities may also include participation in planning for ST2 and ST3, planning for the 2023 Comprehensive Plan update, and visioning for the Regional Growth Center. In addition, the planning team collaborates and supports partner teams in pursuit of our community vision of being a sustainable, vibrant community.

Responsibilities include analyzing and preparing recommendations on land use, environmental, and urban planning issues, responding to land use inquiries and serving as a resource to the City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, and other City boards and committees. Individuals assigned to this position are expected to perform planning assignments involving a high level of responsibility and judgment and to provide advice and guidance to Department staff.

The Senior Planner position is central to Lynnwood's success. Join us as we move Lynnwood toward a more sustainable and vibrant future!

Job Duties:

Includes but is not limited to such essential functions as listed below:

Analyze demographic, land use and other data relevant to urban planning. Prepare statistical data, reports, and recommendations for use and consideration by the Community Development Director, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, Mayor and City Council. Serve as a resource to the City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, and other City boards and committees in providing information and performing research.
Prepare comprehensive and long-range plans.
Analyze, prepare and present or supervise the analysis, preparation and presentation of conditional use permits, rezones, comprehensive plan amendments, variances, subdivisions, annexations, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) appeals, and other land-use proposals.
Develop and draft land use regulations and policies for consideration by the Planning Commission, City Council and the Snohomish County Boundary Review Board.
Answer questions and provide information on land use related questions for residents, property owners, business operators, developers, and other individuals.
Assign and review work of planning staff assigned to the same project to include preparation and/or direction for preparation notifications and referrals.
Make presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, Hearing Examiner, and to other bodies and at other public activities.
Draft and present ordinances and resolutions for the Planning Commission and City Council.
Lead or participate in public workshops and meetings and other public participation activities.
Review building or site development proposals for conformance with planning policies and zoning code requirements.
Supervise or work with advisory committees on special projects or as a liaison as assigned.
Work with staff and elected officials of other jurisdictions or organizations on issues and projects of mutual interest.
Assist in preparation of the Department budget.
Review proposals for environmental impact analysis and prepare and review documents as required by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
Work on annexation proposals including preparation of documentation, community outreach and presentations to various bodies.
Review Environmental Impact Statements from other agencies and prepare recommendations, and/or assist the Planning Director in the development and preparation of Environmental Impact Statements for projects within the City.
Direct consultants in preparation of planning and environmental studies.
Maintain regular attendance.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or closely related field with a Master's Degree preferred plus by at least seven years relevant professional planning experience or an equivalent combination of related education and experience; a valid Washington State driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier; possession of or eligibility for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

Supplemental Information:

This position is represented by Local 3035, Council 2, Washington State Council of County and City Employees AFSCME / AFL-CIO.The City of Lynnwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.