Employer: City of Newcastle
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $62,075 - $79,399 Annually/DOE/+ Great Benefits
Location: Newcastle, WA
Opening Date: 05/17/2021
Closing Date: Open Until Filled; First Review - Monday, June 7, 2021

Job Description:

The Assistant Planner performs a variety of entry-level professional planning duties, such as reviewing land development applications for compliance with various ordinances and regulations; and assisting in researching, developing, and implementing plans, policies, and ordinances. Supporting tasks include providing information to the public and applicants concerning City procedures, applications, and regulations; assisting in the preparation and presentation of staff reports; and providing front-line services to customers.

Job Duties:

This list is intended only to illustrate some of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.

  1. Processes and tracks land use applications; conducts limited background research and report preparation; assists the Permit Coordinator to maintain accurate computer records for permit applications and their status; informs interested parties about public hearings and pending official actions; prepares legal notices.
  2. Reviews plans for submittal to assure applications are technically complete prior to acceptance by the City, including all exhibits and fees.
  3. Conducts environmental review of City projects, including capital projects and land use regulations; coordinates reviews with City Staff and affected agencies; ensures compliance with applicable state and local requirements for distribution and notice.
  4. Assists the Development Services Technician to administer the City's permit tracking system; works with individual users to identify and solve system issues; coordinates with software vendor to submit maintenance requests and implement solutions; generates reports for management and system performance purposes.
  5. Processes requests for action (RFAs) and inquiries from residents and business owners relative to municipal code compliance and permitting processes; investigates and leads code enforcement proceedings when voluntary compliance cannot be achieved; coordinates responses with other City staff.
  6. Assists in researching policy- and project-related matters and drafts documents for decision-making purposes; works with other staff to support written and oral presentations to the City Council, commissions and committees, the City Manager, and other members of the public or staff.
  7. Consistent with the expectations of the City Manager, helps promote a culture within the Department of Community Development that is customer- and business-friendly; takes reasonable extra measures and/or time to ensure that the needs of City customers and constituents are addressed or solved at a personal level rather than a bureaucratic one.
  8. Provides information and assistance to the public by telephone, email, letter, and "over the counter" concerning procedures related to land use permits and their required submittals, building permit applications and compliance, and permits in progress.
  9. Communicates at all times and in all media in ways that reflect well upon the City and the employees; communicates at all times in ways that are accurate, professional, and in keeping with the customer service ethic identified herein; as needed, provides reliable and concise written and oral reports; make recommendations involving areas of responsibility.
  10. Coordinates activities with other City departments and/or outside public or private agencies; works in a manner that reinforces interdepartmental cooperation and mutual support; coordinates with the Office of the City Clerk as needed, including providing information for website updates and public notices.
  11. Conducts occasional field inspections to ensure that services or projects are being implemented as agreed upon; coordinates and communicates related issues in a timely manner with the Planning Manger or the Director of Community Development and other staff as needed.
  12. Fulfills obligations, promises, and assignments within reasonable timelines; communicates project and assignment status and schedules regularly and in a timely way with the Director of Public Works.
  13. Maintains the Department of Community Development's Policy Manual and historic interpretations of land use Code and policy language.
  14. May on occasion be asked to represent the City at certain regional and intergovernmental meetings; states official City policy, opinion, or direction as needed or assigned.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

A Bachelors degree in land use planning, urban planning, geography, or a closely-related field; and one-year experience, which may include a professional internship. Experience with MyBuildingPermit and TrakIt is preferred, but not required.

How to Apply:

Apply Today!