JOIN US AT THE CITY OF KENMORE
The City of Kenmore is seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Planner to lead and manage complex, multi-disciplinary long-range planning and policy projects. This is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
The City will begin screening and interviewing in late December, 2024.
SUMMARY
This position will serve in the Community Development Department (3-6 people) and report to the Community Development Director for the City of Kenmore!
The Senior Planner serves as a project manager with the knowledge, skills, and ability to undertake complex multi-disciplinary long-range planning and policy projects, including preparation of Municipal Code and Comprehensive Plan amendments. Ability to lead and train other planners and interns. Because of the small number of City employees, each staff member is expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties as may be required from time to time.
COMPENSATION DETAILS
Salary Range: $8,056-$10,231, DOQ. A wage increase of 3.6% will apply in January 2025. In addition, the City offers a generous benefits package. This position is FLSA exempt; it is not eligible for overtime.
DURATION
The position is a full time, limited-term (2 year) engagement as authorized by the current biennial budget.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manages complex multi-disciplinary planning and policy projects.
- Advises on incorporating planning requirements into policy direction, plans and programs.
- Researches, writes, and edits proposed amendments to the Municipal Code to ensure clarity and consistency. Presents code amendments to the planning commission, city council, and public. Coordinates the regulatory approval process associated with code amendments. Determines the application of code and regulations in complex situations.
- Researches, writes, and edits master plans and major elements of the City’s comprehensive plan. Analyzes and responds to amendment requests. Presents policy and plan proposals to the planning commission, city council, and public. Coordinates the associated regulatory approval process.
- Serves as project coordinator and project manager on complex and politically sensitive planning projects, such as developing the Shoreline Master Program and addressing missing middle housing. Develops recommendations or solutions to problems.
- Manages major aspects of the City’s required comprehensive plan updates, including the development, scheduling, monitoring, and oversight of work programs for the project. Designs and coordinates projects by identifying problems, determining methodology, setting project goals and objectives, and developing work plans and budgets.
- Facilitates processes and works directly with technical and citizen advisory committees, ARCH staff, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, City Council, and other City Boards and Commissions. Monitors work processes and schedules to ensure timely project completion and response.
- Conducts special studies. Research policy issues and conditions. Establishes methodologies and standards for research and studies. Facilitates collection of information. Designs, conducts, and analyzes surveys and evaluations.
- Counsels the public in relation to problems, questions, and complaints about planning projects. Responds to difficult or complex situations by providing proper instruction, valuable opinions, and suggestions for changes.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of emerging regulations, pending legislation, and trends in planning that impact the City as well as current programs and processes.
- Develops, manipulates, and maintains computerized databases, spreadsheets, progress monitoring systems, and filing systems.
- Participates in developing recommendations concerning large scale and multi-use land development programs. Contacts officials of State and Federal agencies for assistance in such programs, as required. Prepares supporting materials for requests for State and Federal funding and helps maintain intergovernmental coordination.
- Performs field investigations and gathers, analyzes, interprets, evaluates, and reports upon various land use and land characteristic data related to long range planning, development proposals, or ordinance violations.
- Leads City-owned projects through permitting processes.
- Provides policy advice on City-owned assets and projects.
- Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.
- Conducts data collection and coordinates resources for other agencies such as the County buildable lands report and other regional plans.
- Represents the City on regional or other committees.
- Manages preparation of grant applications and administration of grant awards.
- Prepares RFPs/RFQs and manages consultant contracts.
- Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position and needs of the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge & Skills:
- Professional, advanced, and specialized knowledge of the theory, principles, standards, practices, and information sources of urban planning.
- In-depth knowledge in the application of land use, physical and environmental design, ecological science, and zoning theory and practices.
- Knowledge of and skill at organizing, scheduling, planning, and coordinating projects.
- Working knowledge of the principles, processes, and practices of public administration.
- In-depth knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, codes, requirements, and criteria governing planning.
- Sufficient math skills to perform statistical analysis and interpret complex plans and maps.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in public involvement and external communications.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills to conduct persuasive formal presentations to diverse audiences including Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, City Council, and other City boards and commissions; facilitate small group processes; present ideas clearly; resolve conflict; and convey technical concepts to others.
Abilities:
- Carry out the essential functions of the position.
- Coordinate large, complex, and politically sensitive projects including budgets, timelines, and quality of work product.
- Review, prepare, or direct the preparation of complex plans, applications,
- Specifications, and legal contracts.
- Perform difficult and complex technical research and analysis of planning issues or problems.
- Learn, understand, and interpret all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards, and planning principles and practices to complex, specialized, and diverse planning processes.
- Give direction, train, and review the work of a small team.
- Use sound judgment when making decisions, interpretations, and in communications with others.
- Conduct site visits or attend off-site meetings.
- Work extended hours for the purpose of attending meetings, conducting meetings, and public processes.
- Work cooperatively with residents and businesses and as a contributing member of a team.
- Work productively and cooperatively with other teams and external customers and convey a positive image of the City.
- Lead and train other planners or interns.
- Ability to function primarily indoors in an office environment.
- Sufficient ambulatory ability to move about the office and to off-site locations.
- Auditory ability to carry on audience, ordinary, and telephonic conversation.
- Near and far visual acuity to read detailed maps, drawings, other printed material, computer screens, and observe physical layouts.
- Manual and finger dexterity to write and to operate computers and other office equipment.
- Field and site visits are part of the job and require the incumbent to transport oneself on irregular terrain.
- Requires the ability to alternatively sit and stand for sustained periods of time to deliver presentations and perform office work.
Education and Experience:
- The position typically requires bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a related field and
- Six years of progressive experience.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
- AICP Certificate is desirable.
Licenses and Certificates
- Require a valid Washington State driver’s license.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Work Environment – Most of the work is performed indoors where some safety considerations exist from physical labor and handling of medium weight, yet awkward materials. Field visits on uneven
terrain are also part of the job.
- Hours of Work –City Hall working hours are typically 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. This position is eligible for a partial teleworking arrangement. This position is required to be available for evening hours to attend
or present in-person at City Council meetings as-needed, or attend in-person, evening, or weekend meetings when necessary. - We value diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our workplace and workforce. Our efforts are guided by an adopted Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Policy. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
OTHER ITEMS AND ADVANTAGES OF WORKING FOR THE CITY OF KENMORE
- This position is eligible for healthcare benefits, retirement plans, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and more!
- The City does not participate in Social Security and participates in a 401(a) retirement plan in lieu of Social Security.
- Kenmore is located on the north shore of Lake Washington and has over seven miles of waterfront along the lake and the Sammamish River.
- Kenmore is a first-ring suburb of Seattle and is equi-distant to downtown Seattle, downtown Bellevue, Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, and Boeing and Paine Field in Everett.
- City Hall is in the heart of Kenmore’s downtown and is within walking distance of many local businesses, restaurants and parks!