Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Individuals in this position require advanced professional planning experience of high complexity and variety. The Senior Planner leads or is significantly involved with larger, more complex planning assignments. Planners at this level exercise greater independence and judgment, receiving general supervision from the Planning Manager. The Senior Planner may assign or review the work of the Permit Technician(s) and/or the Assistant Planner and Associate Planner. Note: The City has one position open for either an Associate Planner or Senior Planner, based on applications received. Reviews of applications and interviews will happen throughout the recruitment process.

Essential Duties

• Able to perform the functions of Assistant and Associate Planners.
• 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 Assistant and Associate Planner 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

• Requires advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices, and techniques of urban planning and design.
• Requires knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and GIS.
• Requires comprehensive knowledge of urban planning, land use regulation, environmental issues, and related laws and professional practices.
• Requires a working knowledge of the City Comprehensive Plan, the City Municipal Code (particularly Title 20), City Design Standards and Guidelines, development agreements, inter-local agreements, Washington State laws and policies relative to land-use planning (GMA, SMA, SEPA, etc.) including case law, and federal land use planning law including case law.
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects and ability to understand and comply with oral and written instructions.
• Requires excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers.
• Requires creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.
• Requires ability to conduct and interpret complex professional studies, surveys, and reports.
• Requires ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Requires ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.
• Requires ability to attend some evening meetings each month and adjusting work hours to complete essential job functions from time to time.
• Requires speech, hearing, and visual acuity.
• Requires ability to visit development sites, to walk on all types of terrain, and to be outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Requires ability to drive a passenger vehicle.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen or legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Bachelor's Degree in geography, urban planning, environmental planning, or closely related field. Master's Degree preferred.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban land use planning and development (Master's Degree may substitute for 2-years of experience).
• 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.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Valid Washington State Driver License and driving record acceptable to the City.
• Successfully pass a background check.

Supplemental Information

This position is represented by the Arlington City Employees, Local 2849 of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Council 2, AFSCME.