Employer: City of Gig Harbor
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 19-00011
Division: Community Development - Planning Division
Salary: $65,905 - $82,380 Annually
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Opening Date: 12/20/2019
Closing Date: Until Filled

Job Description:

Performs professional work in the fields of current planning, long-range planning and/or environmental analysis. Assists and may be responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices to accomplish planning objectives; reviews zoning regulations, land use, environmental, and natural resources, transportation, and public facility elements. Position may be assigned to one or more fields, as determined by the Planning Director. Position is responsible for accomplishment of tasks as assigned, strong communication skills with the public and employees, and sound organizational practices to assure optimum services to the community. Position is responsible to provide accurate information to the public, employees of the City, and elected officials on many state and local code provisions, official land use maps, and other pertinent information. As assigned by the Planning Director, the incumbent may have final authority on certain land use decisions, including short subdivisions, shoreline permits or exemptions, and SEPA. Responsible for applying thorough and full-scope knowledge of modern techniques and concepts of planning, requiring considerable initiative, creativity, analysis, and interpretation to create a motivating atmosphere. Supervision and guidance are provided by the Planning Director. Controls Over Work Within the the framework of governing federal, state, and local laws and policies established by the City Council, the incumbent will accomplish tasks related to an established planning program within the city as well as the tasks associated with the land use, building, and environmental codes of the city. Supervision will be exercised by the Planning Director on an as-needed basis for compliance with internal policies and procedures, quality of work, compatibility with city programs and policies, and manner and effectiveness in which the incumbent deals with subordinates, city officials, and the general public. Ability to gain and retain effective working relationships with employees, elected officials, other municipal agency officials, stakeholders and the general public is essential.

Job Duties:

  • Provide basic and comprehensive information and interpretation of applicable city land use and development codes to the general public, the development community, employees of the City, and elected officials.
  • Review parcel and subdivision maps, and site and building plans for compliance with appropriate regulations; works with property owners and the development community on acceptable property development and land use.
  • Process land use permits such as shoreline, zoning, conditional use, variances, rezones, site plans, subdivisions and short plats; prepare reports and recommendations; conduct public hearings before the City Design Review Board and City Hearing Examiner.
  • Prepare and/or review environmental checklists.
  • Provide technical assistance in the analysis, coordination, and implementation of environmental requirements and regulations under the City Environmental Code.
  • Implement effective and trackable procedures for reviewing the processing of approved development plans, construction plans, and construction performance to assure compliance with city codes.
  • Under direction, may conduct special land use, land economics, demographic, social, and economic studies and reviews other relevant factors relating to comprehensive planning issues.
  • May review and recommend changes to the City Comprehensive Plan and land use codes, provide professional policy guidance to the Planning Commission in writing, revising, and updating the Comprehensive Plan and participate in Planning Commission hearings.
  • Prepare public notices, meeting agendas, and reviews meeting minutes. Investigate potential violations of city land use regulations.
  • May assist in the preparations of documentation reports and notices of violation and assessment of city penalties.
  • Coordinate project activities with other staff, city departments, county and state agencies, and the City Design Review Board.
  • Compile information and make recommendations on special studies.
  • Prepare complex planning reports.
  • Assist in the preparation and management of state and federal grants.
  • Performs other duties as required by the Principal Planner.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

  • Ability to create and retain an effective working relationship with the general public, the development community, city employees, city officials, and other municipal and agency officials.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to prepare technical and administrative reports.
  • Good knowledge of the principles and practices of public planning and the socio-economic and environmental aspects involved.
  • Ability to read and interpret site plans, building plans, landscape plans, construction drawings, and compare them with construction in progress.
  • Ability to read and interpret subdivision plats and legal descriptions.
  • Knowledge of the modern trends in literature in the field of planning.
  • Knowledge of the Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, and municipal land use, zoning, annexation, and subdivision statutes.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances and standards pertinent to municipal planning, development, and environmental quality.
  • Knowledge of PC computers and word processing/database software.
  • Ability to work comfortably with citizen advisory commissions, elected officials, and ad-hoc citizen groups in a conference environment as well as in public assemblies and meetings.
  • Attendance at evening meetings is required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

  • 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.
  • Work is performed in an office or conference room setting as well as outdoors.
  • A moderate amount of local traveling is involved in construction site visits and facility and area tours.
  • Consequently, the incumbent is exposed to occasional inclement weather and the normal transportation and construction activity such as high noise levels, moving vehicles and machines, dust and mud, and traversing exposed and sometimes insecure walkways and platforms.
  • May wear protective clothing and equipment such as helmet, gloves, goggles, and safety shoes.
  • Work requires some exertion such as climbing, walking over rough surfaces and loose material; crouching, bending, stooping, and reaching; and lifting of light to moderately heavy items.
  • Work requires average physical agility and dexterity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in Urban or Regional Planning, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field; AND
  • Two (2) years of professional planning experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • AICP

Supplemental Information:

Criminal Conviction StandardsThe successful incumbent will or may have access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system. As a result, the City of Gig Harbor will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which may include fingerprinting.Please review the following list of disqualifying crimes and negative actions to determine if you meet our standard for this position.

How to Apply:

This position is represented by the City of Gig Harbor Employee Guild and is an FLSA non-exempt position eligible for overtime.All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by 8am on January 10, 2019. All subsequent application reviews will be held on a weekly basis thereafter.Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.

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