Employer: Kitsap County Department of Community Development
Job Title: Jr/Sr Planner
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Opening Date: 04/07/2021
Closing Date: 05/21/2021

Job Description:

Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the incumbent performs professional-level planning functions to administer and coordinate complex work programs. The incumbent helps manage special projects, code development and review, and updates to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and development regulations. The selected candidate will coordinate across functional areas of the planning process and must be highly knowledgeable about principles, practices, and techniques of planning; related state and federal laws, growth management, ordinances, rules and regulations; implementation of zoning and other ordinances; application of land use, design standards, economic development, affordable housing, environmental review, and/or social concepts to the planning process. The incumbent performs research and analysis to support project development and implementation. Work is performed at a project lead level, with a high degree of independence. Work assignments are performed with general instruction and require considerable independence in the selection of courses of action and resolution of complex or unique problems within the framework of department policies and procedures. Performance is measured more by outcomes than by outputs or tasks. Activities may include projects with a high degree of sensitivity or controversy, interpretations of law, decision-making under ambiguous circumstances, and ongoing relationships with other local governments, tribes, and state or federal agencies.  

Job Duties:

In this role, you will have the opportunity to: Identify and define the need for new, revised, or updated legislation, ordinances, or regulations applicable to land development or demographic status and trends. Conduct technical research studies. Prepare reports and project summaries. Draft and present proposed ordinances to supervisor and/or other hearing bodies. Develop and/or revise comprehensive plans, subarea plans, and special topic reports and action plans by compiling land use, land capacity, growth management, housing, environmental, and other planning-related data from reports and field surveys, analyzing implication of background information, formulating goals, policies and alternative plan proposals. Meet statutory, legislative, and other deadlines for updated plans, reports, interim and final products and ensure citizen participation aspects of planning processes and outcomes. Negotiate and administer agreements and contracts with consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as necessary. Meet with technical advisory personnel to check results of study analysis and to verify the applicability of data. Act as a mediator and negotiator in the planning process to find equitable solutions consistent with policies, goals, and regulations of the program and of the County, balancing public and private rights and interests, sensitive to political considerations. Work with the Prosecutor's Office for legal review and action to resolve compliance or consistency issues. Prepare necessary documentation, present evidence, provide testimony, and recommend dispositions to hearing bodies as required.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor Degree in Planning, Environmental Planning or closely related field from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education AND four years of professional-level planning related to community development, urban or regional planning is required; ORAn equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.

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Supplemental Information:

Interested applicants should submit a Port Orchard employment application online. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to Kathie Thoma at [email protected]. All application materials must be submitted electronically by end of day, April 21, 2021.