Planner I

Pay Range: $30.12 - $38.20 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-13) Hiring Range: $30.12 - $31.97 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, B25 Step 1-4 DOQ) Job Closing Date: July 23, 2026 with weekly reviews starting July 2, 2026 (Note: If candidate is found, Job will be closed before the July 23, 2026 closing date.) There is one Planner I opening with the Yakima County Public Services Planning Division. This position is one of a four level planner classification series. The Planner I class is distinguished from the Planner II class by the complexity and size of developmental projects reviewed. The Planner I class is distinguished from the Planner II class by the lesser level of decision making, level of supervision needed and absence of staff supervisory duties required by the Planner II position. Note: This position is a Yakima County Public Services Department Clerical, Technical & Professional Employees Group Bargaining Unit Position. Essential Duties Provides policy information and technical assistance to the public, agencies and county staff relating to: plans, policies, ordinances, standards, regulatory and non-regulatory programs, federal and state statutes and administrative codes governing land development, transportation, environmental protection and growth management, within area(s) of assignment or expertise. Performs, conducts or assists with planning analyses related to processing of routine to moderately complex new development project applications. Duties include: initial project review with customer, completeness review, preparation of required notices, YCWRS, SEPA review, project review and coordinating with other agencies / organizations and drafting of final written analyses. Drafts and assists in preparing Department goals, policies, planning, programming and/or regulatory options and updates, and other project assignments for review by Section/Division management or others. Develops, coordinates and participates in public education/outreach efforts and special studies related to land use, transportation, environmental and natural resource planning issues and other program or project assignments. Schedules and facilitates meetings and provides technical expertise to organizations and media as needed. Performs other duties as required including site inspections and may participate in public hearings. Education & Experience Associate Degree or two-year technical certificate in Land Survey and Construction Design, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Geographic Information Services, Real Estate, paralegal or a field directly related to the area(s) of assignment AND two (2) years’ experience in the areas of permitting, code enforcement, real estate, architecture, land development, planning, engineering, construction or related industry environment functioning in a professional or administrative or program / project support role; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. NOTE: This would be defined as a High School Diploma/GED and four (4) years of experience functioning in a professional or administrative or program/project support role in the areas of permitting, code enforcement, administrative support, program coordination, project management, real estate, architecture, land development, planning, engineering, construction or related industry environment. Required US Driver’s License at time of appointment; and, successful completion of general employment verification. Preferred Bachelor’s Degree preferred; bilingual in Spanish; experience with Washington State land use and environmental protection law; specialized training in environmental or natural resource issues, projects (SEPA, GMA, Critical Areas, Shorelines); and, additional degrees, professional certifications, recognitions, awards and licenses that demonstrate acquisition and application of the required knowledge, and abilities to be successful in this position are preferred. Equipment Used telephone, computer, calculator, audiovisual equipment, copy machine, fax machine, typewriter, microfiche, shredder, passenger vehicle. Working Conditions Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Environment multiple work locations, position can be hybrid with schedule to be determined by the incumbent and supervisor, may be exposed to irate customers, may require travel for data gathering, training, site inspection and analysis, and attendance at night meetings. Physical Demands bending, carrying, handling, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, hearing, smelling, talking, and visual acuity. Intellectual Demands ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction. Knowledge customer service techniques and teambuilding concepts; presentation and meeting facilitation, including use of technology for displaying, analyzing and evaluating research data; research and analytical methods for planning projects including using fundamental mathematics, statistics, demographics, scientific methods and field practices for gathering and evaluating data; principles of site impact analysis for development projects; Principles of geography, geomorphology and natural systems functions; legal descriptions, cartography and GIS systems; U.S. Census geography and methodology; micro-economic theories as applied to the effects of land use regulations; principles, methods and practices of planning related to the area of assignment, including: urban, regional, environmental, natural resource, transportation, and community development; public participation theory and practice including: methods of assessing areas of agreement and conflict among individuals or facilitation groups and techniques for mediating disputes and guiding them to consensus or informed consent; applicable transportation planning policies, laws, regulations, ordinances, code principles and practices; roles and responsibilities of federal, state and other local public and private organizations; and, rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation used in professional report writing. Skills (and abilities) critically analyzing and resolving customer service and internal work related problems; analyzing environmental, transportation and land use information to identify options, resolve problems, apply solutions, guidelines and policy to field problems and other work assignments; prioritizing multiple projects within established timelines and parameters; writing routine to moderately complex technical reports and other documents; interpreting, applying and implementing land use policies and procedures; giving presentations, public speaking, and facilitating meetings; establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with County and other officials, at all organizational levels and with the public; ability to clearly speak, write and graphically illustrate in order to convey general and technical information; ability to: give and receive direction; understand, interpret and follow County and department personnel policies and procedures; researching, interpreting, evaluating and applying a wide variety of inter-related data, policies, laws, codes and legislation to work assignments; technical data, legal descriptions, maps and aerial photos; using a personal computer and related software applications, and operating basic office equipment such as scanners, plotters; public address systems and audio-visual presentation equipment; applying basic math, algebra and statistics in researching, gathering, organizing and analyzing data from a variety of sources; and, maintaining files. #J-18808-Ljbffr