Employer: City of Des Moines
Job Type: Planning
Job Number: 1193443
Division: Planning & Development Services
Salary: $69,960 - $85,032 annually
Location: Des Moines, WA
Opening Date: 09/13/2019
Closing Date: Open until filled - first review of applications on 09/27/2019

Job Description:

Principal Planner, performs current planning and economic development duties that implement the comprehensive plan and other functional planning documents, administers state and City subdivision, land use and environmental regulations, performs technical plan review, provides public information, responds to inquiries during counter hours and via phone, prepares written reports, and assists in the preparation and updating of City land use codes and the comprehensive plan. Land Use Planner II is the journey level of the professional planner series. This position is characterized by increasingly specialized knowledge of the planning field and higher degree of independent functioning, judgment and responsibility. The Planner II is expected to possess in-depth knowledge within several planning specialties such as economic development, comprehensive planning, or environmental planning. Employees receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and they are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.

Job Duties:

• Administers adopted City land use, zoning, subdivision and environmental regulations.
• May perform economic development functions and represent the City at regional economic development events and committees.
• Processes complex development review and building permit applications for residential, light industrial and commercial uses for compliance with City codes; reviews and approves plan checks for building projects.
• Performs environmental analysis for SEPA and municipal environmental regulation compliance related to new large-scale light industrial, commercial, and residential developments, subdivisions, rezones, shoreline permits, and variances.
• Takes phone calls and inquiries from the public and other agencies; provides assistance to walk in customers at the counter.
• Provides support for permit center operations, including application intake and routing.
• Prepares written reports regarding land use and development permits.
• Conducts research and prepares draft policies and regulations relating to land use and urban planning for City Council consideration and action.
• Conducts pre-application meetings and coordinates information flow for the purposes of providing a common City position that clearly guides individuals interested in developing property within the City.
• Assists Planning and Development Services Manager and Community Development Director in reporting and formulating projections of development activity for budget tracking and future budget purposes.
• See job posting for additional detail.

• Bachelor's degree in planning, environmental studies, urban design, or related discipline; AND three years' of increasingly responsible professional planning experience with a public agency.
• Master's degree in urban/regional planning, environmental studies or an urban design related discipline may be partially credited toward the experience requirement depending on the emphasis of the graduate and undergraduate education.
• Some experience in writing land use codes and comprehensive plans is highly desired.
• Working knowledge of ArcView, City GIS, AutoCAD, cartography, common drafting and GIS software preferred.

Supplemental Information:

Attendance at some night and/or weekend meetings is required. Possession of and the ability to maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver's License with a good driving record. Successful completion of a pre-employment background and criminal history check. Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products. The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants, including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability. In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.

How to Apply:

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