Planning Manager

The Planning Manager position is a high-level planning position which requires an undergraduate degree in a closely related field and advanced planning experience. This position is primarily tasked with overseeing long-range plans (particularly the Comprehensive Plan) and City land-use regulations; coordinating the creation and amendment of plans and regulations with affected stakeholders, City departments, the Planning Commission and City Council; completing complex planning assignments; and attending relevant meetings and giving presentations as required.

The Planning Manager is involved with larger and more complex planning assignments including review and processing of more complex land-use permit applications, and long range plan development such as the Comprehensive Plan and the Housing Action Plan.

The Planning Manager oversees the work of subordinate Planner series positions to ensure planning efforts are coordinated and consistent.

• Oversees complex planning projects including analyzing and evaluating site and architectural plans, performing technical review for routine project plans and applications, and making recommendations.
• Coordinates and performs research and analyses pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan, subarea plans, grant programs, related municipal ordinances and policy; prepares related reports and recommendations, and renders professional advice regarding planning issues.
• Writes and reviews initial studies; coordinates the preparation of environmental impact reports, recommends determinations of the environmental impact of projects; reviews environmental documents of other agencies.
• Provides direction to Planner I’s and Planner II’s on assigned projects; coordinates and reviews the preparation of various reports, correspondence, tabulations, and summaries; provides input regarding the quality of performance to supervisors.
• Coordinates and attends various meetings for the purpose of providing and receiving information regarding projects and proposals; as assigned, attends and represents the City’s interests or policy position on issues including making presentations before authoritative bodies such as the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, City Council, and the boards, task forces, and legislative bodies of other governmental agencies.
• Attends regional planning meetings (e.g. PSRC, SCT, PAC, etc.) representing the City’s interests and/or policy position on various planning issues.
• Conduct site inspections, including determining if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations, and ordinances; makes recommendations on changes.
• Oversees public notification as required by state and local laws and public participation.
• Promotes the department’s mission to provide professional customer service to both residents and developers alike.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or lower-level as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, and trends in the field of urban planning and design;
• Knowledge of relevant land use, physical design, economic, environmental, and social concepts;
• Knowledge of project oversight techniques;
• Knowledge of software applications used in planning;
• Knowledge of relevant mathematical concepts;
• Knowledge of the application, modification, and interrelationships among ordinances, policies, standards, procedures, and practices;
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations;
• Knowledge of the terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in Planning;
• Knowledge of common reference sources;
• Knowledge of local government organization, and the functions and practices of City and other governmental work units with which coordination is required.
• Ability to perform varied and responsible assignments involving the use of initiative and judgment under minimum supervision;
• Ability to provide direction and coordinate the work of other professionals;
• Ability to perform and coordinate activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendation pertaining to complex issues;
• Ability to interpret laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, site plans, graphs, and statistical data;
• Ability to make and defend decisions; prepare visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and illustrations;
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those encountered in the course of work.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Geography, or closely related field; and
• Four years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience involving comprehensive planning, zoning and development services;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job
• Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Accreditation, preferred
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), preferred
• Experience working with form-based code, preferred
• Valid Washington State Driver License and driving record acceptable to the City.
• Successfully pass a background check 

This is a management non represented position which is a part of a team of administration in the Community and Economic Development Department.