Long Range Planner/Senior Long Range Planner & GIS Coordinator

Employer: City of Kent
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Salary: $75,120 - $101,016 annually, DOE
Location: Kent, WA
Opening Date: 03/04/2020
Closing Date: 04/01/2020

Job Description:

The City of Kent is seeking a talented long-range planner to work on all aspects of municipal planning. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work well as a team member. Two (2) years of professional level experience in municipal long-range planning and a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field are required for a candidate to be qualified as a Long Range Planner, while four (4) years of professional level experience in municipal long-range planning are required in order for a candidate to be placed at the Senior Long Range Planner level. If you have the requisite education and experience, consider advancing your career and fostering the growth of a vibrant community through employment with the City of Kent.

There is one full-time position that will be filled by this recruitment process. This is a benefited, non-represented position that is exempt from overtime.

**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete. Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not substitute for attaching it to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.

**A writing sample must be submitted in order for an applicant to be considered for this position. Please submit your writing sample in the Attachments section of your application.

Interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled to take place in the middle of April.

Under the direction of the Long-Range Planning Manager or designee, perform a variety of professional, analytical, and technical duties in the area of long-range planning and geographic information systems (GIS); research, code, and policy development; environmental and land use management. Work is characterized by professional-level, analytical, and technical planning duties associated with the research, development, implementation, and administration of City codes, ordinances, policies, and procedures related to land use planning. Duties generally include, but are not limited to, preparing and presenting reports for public hearings and meetings; eliciting comments and opinion on long range planning processes; utilizing GIS tools for research, analysis and mapping layers; grant writing; preparing data for growth forecasts and statistical reports; working on special projects and programs; and managing consultants and contracts. While actual duties of each Planner in this classification will vary from time to time, all Planners may be assigned to perform work in any or all areas. Work is performed under limited supervision. Supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. Incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. Incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

Job Duties:

Conduct research, prepare and present concise reports, conclusions and recommendations on long-range planning issues, comprehensive growth management plans for utilization of land and physical facilities of the City, sub-area and neighborhood plans, development regulations, implementation measures, policies, environmental and land use management to various boards, committees, elected officials and other organizations.
Elicit comments and opinions, through public meetings or other means, from customers including the public, land developers, other agencies, elected officials, and other city departments on the long-range planning process; help others understand processes, timelines, code requirements, land use policies, analysis, and options for implementation; and reach conclusions and recommendations.
Coordinate with interdepartmental staff in amending capital improvement and operational plans and regulations to ensure consistency with comprehensive growth management plans and advance long-range goals.
Serve as intra- and inter-departmental project coordinator for planning phases of significant projects to ensure long-range considerations are considered, and support negotiations and development agreements with private and public entities.
Define and draw areas for GIS map layers, choose symbology and colors, and develop, execute and maintain associated databases to support the needs of the division including, but not limited to, formulating planning scenarios; displaying high quality special-purpose maps; effectively coordinating GIS efforts with other city departments; providing assistance and training to divisional users of the GIS; and keeping management advised on divisional software/hardware needs related to GIS.
Write, oversee and coordinate grants related to planning and economic development, including collaboration with other city departments or jurisdictions.
Prepare and geographically represent city statistics on employment and population data and forecasts, including census data as requested, for multiple jurisdictional levels.
Organize, attend, and conduct interdepartmental and public meetings with various regional and intergovernmental groups on the development of land use policies, plans, and implementation measures; participate on various committees and task forces as assigned, and act as liaison between regional and intergovernmental groups, City staff, and elected officials.
Prepare a variety of planning graphics, including conventional and computer-assisted graphics and maps, for reports, plans, and public presentations.
Prepare timely and accurate public notices and informational materials on long-range planning issues and public hearings.
Assist in maintaining and updating planning-related documents on the City's website.
Research, analyze, prepare, and present reports on trending or state-of-the-art planning issues to various committees, elected officials, and other organizations.
Provide backup support to other Planners as needed.
Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Municipal government policies, procedures, structure, operations, and objectives
Technical aspects of long-range planning, including policy development, growth management requirements, project management, and land use law as it pertains to land use planning
Planning information sources and research methodology as applied to collection and analysis of planning and economic development data
General theories, principles and practices of site planning and design review
Geographic Information System fundamentals
Basic principles and practices of mathematics, statistics, and database structure
Grant writing and funding sources

SKILLED IN:

Using research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures to define, discuss, and resolve issues
Database structure and analysis
Project managementInterpreting and making decisions in accordance with ordinances, governmental regulations, and policies
Effective use of interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner
Strategic thinking and political sensitivity
Maintaining records and preparing reports on long-range planning issues
Professional writing including correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

ABILITY TO:

Collect and analyze planning data; read, analyze, interpret, apply, and explain City codes, rules, policies, and procedures, business periodicals and journals, technical procedures, financial reports, legal documents, and governmental regulations
Organize, coordinate, and oversee the activities and operations of a computerized data management program and large GIS database
Utilize GIS applications to plan, develop, and implement analysis and graphics; provide technical assistance and training to others
Work with blueprints, shop drawings, and sketchesPrioritize, plan, and organize work
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Make effective oral presentations at public hearings, council meetings, and other meetings
Add, subtract, multiply, divide; and compute fractions, ratios, percentages, and proportions

Education, Experience and Other Requirements:

Minimum qualifications for Long Range Planner include:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or related field; and
Experience: Two (2) years of professional level experience in municipal long-range planning.
Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Minimum qualifications for Senior Long Range Planner include:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or related field; and
Experience: Four (4) years of professional level experience in municipal long-range planning.
Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS (for both Long Range Planner and Senior Long Range Planner):

Valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
Must be able to successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check; successfully complete the City's Defensive Driving Course; and maintain an acceptable driving record
Experience with Geographic Information System software is highly desirable
Certification of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly desirableMultilingual desirable
Must successfully pass a Washington State Patrol background inquiry

How to Apply:

The submission of a resume, cover letter and writing sample are required for consideration of your application.