Senior Planner

Salary : $93,576.00 - $119,760.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: DPS-26-PLN-004
Department: DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING SERVICES
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Definition


The City of Puyallup is hiring two Senior Planners. These positions are part of the Planning Division in the Development and Permitting Services Department. Applicants are encourage to apply by August 5th to receive priority consideration.

NOTE: The Associate Planner - Journey job classification may be considered during this recruitment depending upon the qualifications of the candidate pool. The salary range is $6,723 - $8.607 per month. The job classification including qualifications is found on the city's Human Resources .

It is impactful to be a part of Team Puyallup and provide meaningful work in support of public service and the well-being of our community. We value our culture of demonstrating excellence in our work, being service focused, supporting collaboration, and having integrity in all that we do. We encourage those that share these values to apply to our open positions and/or forward to colleagues who may be ready for their next career advancement opportunity.

The successful candidates will provide professional planning work, focusing on current planning and comprehensive (long-range) planning, including annexations and urban growth area issues. The positions require a broad range of knowledge and experience in the planning field. Work is performed with considerable independence under the supervision of the Planning Manager. Work requires occasional contact with the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, City Council, representatives of other City departments and divisions, other governmental agencies, land developers and their agents, and the general public to provide information and advice on sensitive community issues. Work is performed in an office setting, but does require occasional field investigations. Work requires attendance at meetings which frequently occur outside normal work hours.

The City of Puyallup is a community of 43,000 and is situated at the foot of scenic Mount Rainier. The city is known as a regional commercial center, and serves its residents and neighbors with a strong, diversified economy. Our employees live in and support a community that has excellent schools, amazing parks and recreational activities, and a vibrant downtown with a variety of restaurants and retail establishments.

Essential Functions
Generally, a particular Senior Planner position will focus primarily either on current planning or long-range planning activities; however, some assignments will be outside of the primary focus area. Essential functions for the position include:

• Reviews development applications for conformance with City land use regulations, including zoning and subdivision codes, critical area regulations and related standards.
• Performs SEPA and shoreline program reviews.
• Prepares reports and makes presentations to the Hearing Examiner.
• Performs a wide variety of comprehensive planning activities; including maintenance of the City Comprehensive Plan; gathers and analyzes data, makes recommendations, and prepares reports.
• Makes presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Assists in the preparation of ordinances or revisions to ordinances related to land use and development to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
• Processes annexation requests and related tasks.
• Assists other departments in the development of functional plans and policies, especially as they relate to land use and development.
• Responds to inquiries from applicants and members of the public on a variety of development-related topics.
• Represents the City on inter-jurisdictional planning bodies. Provides assistance to outside agencies and committees as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Modern planning principles and practices;
• Site plan review;
• Land use concepts and the impact of sociological, demographic, economic, environmental and other factors influencing land use;
• Research techniques and graphic and statistical presentations;
• Project review principles and methods;
• The operation of personal computers, including word processing and spreadsheet software and permit tracking systems.

Ability to:

• Systematically gather, organize and analyze data;
• Write reports clearly and in an interesting manner and to convey technical information to lay persons;
• Make clear and concise verbal presentations before a variety of groups in a manner appropriate to the audience;
• Deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner often under difficult circumstances;
• Interpret and apply laws, draft ordinance and regulations to implement land use planning policies;
• Operate a motor vehicle;
• Work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions;
• Effectively work in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus;
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with departmental personnel, developers, citizens groups, the public and other City personnel;
• Prepare and carry out work programs and special projects and meet timelines, and work independently with little direction;
• Represent City and the department in a professional manner under a wide range of circumstances.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in planning or a closely related field and five years of progressively responsible and relevant planning experience (a Master's degree in planning or related field may substitute for one year of experience).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Physical Characteristics and Work Environment
Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc. Frequent sitting, may be extended at times, while doing desk activities. Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position. Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office areas; standing may be extended at times while working at the front counter. Occasional lifting/carrying up to 30-pound documents, file boxes, etc. Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, and moving materials. Occasional climbing on step stools, ladders and stairs. Works primarily indoors in a climate-controlled office environment with low noise levels, with occasional field site visits and public meetings, including evening meetings. Occasional field visits require driving, negotiating rough terrain, and below normal temperatures.

SELECTION PROCESS
Only applications that include the response to the Supplemental Questionnaire will be accepted. Those applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the City's current needs will be contacted for testing and/or oral interviews. The appointing authority may conduct second interviews.
Notification - Following submission of application, an email acknowledgment receipt of application is given. Persons selected for an interview and/or testing will be notified by email, normally within 15 working days following the closing date on the job announcement.
Not Selected - No formal notification is usually sent by the City to applicants not selected for an interview or test. Shouldthe same or another position open for which the applicant wishes to apply, he/she must apply online for each new opening.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Essential Functions - The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.
Hours of Work - Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one (1) hour lunch. Occasional evening and weekend work projects may be required.
Union Affiliation - This position is a non-represented position.
Equal Employment Opportunity - The City of Puyallup is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran's status or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.
Background - The City of Puyallup will need to obtain the proper background and criminal history information pursuant to RCW View phone number on click.appcast.io for positions where the employee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons or vulnerable adults.
Disability - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Identification - Applicants who are offered employment with the City are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States within three days of date of hire, as required by the 1986 Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. A list of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work will be provided to those who are offered employment.
Drug-Free Workplace - The City of Puyallup is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace.
Note - The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
We take care of our employees through a robust and well-rounded benefit program.

The City of Puyallup cares about your and your family's well-being. We strive to provide one of the best benefits plans in the area and offer coverage to you and your family at minimal cost. The city supports your work-life balance by offering impressive benefit and leave options.

The highlights include the following:

• Flexible work schedule and telework options.
• Professional learning opportunities including supervisory and leadership development.
• Excellent health insurance offered: Medical, dental, vision, orthodontia, and prescription plans. Our employees are provided with a wellness program, and if successful in completing the wellness program our employees can achieve a zero premium share plan.
• Participation in Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Optional deferred compensation plans are also available.
• Paid Leave: Generous paid vacation, sick and holiday leave available for immediate use.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Onsite workout facilities and fitness membership at the Puyallup Recreation Center.

01


Please describe why you are interested in this position and why this is a good time in your career to come to the City of Puyallup.
02


Tell us about an innovative or rewarding planning project (long range or current in nature) in which you have been involved, either as part of your educational background or work experience, and why you consider it significant.
03


Is your interest in current planning or long range planning, and why?
Required Question