Planner

Salary : $97,108.45 - $114,250.07 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202100794
Location: Planning & Building - PB Team 03
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME


Job Summary


The Planner serves as a first-level professional planner. Implements the mission of the Department in order to assure the orderly growth of the City. Undertakes and coordinates professional planning services involving processing of discretionary and ministerial development applications, and providing public information about City planning policies, regulations, and activities. Assists with preparing land use plans and regulations, and collection and analysis of geographic and socioeconomic data.


Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the first-level professional classification in the Planner series. The Planner follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request. This classification performs more complex technical duties than the Assistant Planner, and requires a higher level of knowledge and skill. The Planner is distinguished from the next higher level, Associate Planner, in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.


Essential Functions : Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides information and interpretation of applicable City development regulations and policies to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials - over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, and at meetings.
• Performs technical review of building and other ministerial development permits to ensure compliance with zoning and related development regulations, comprehensive plan policies and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits. Makes decisions on behalf of the Department about ministerial development permit applications' compliance with regulations and policies.
• Processes minor development proposals requiring discretionary City approval, for example: variances, and short plats.
• Depending on availability of projects and planner workload, processes development proposals requiring discretionary City approval, for example: land use permits, Planned Unit Developments and subdivisions, including some complex and controversial projects.
• Reviews proposals and uses professional judgment to evaluate the compliance with zoning and related development regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments and local agencies, prepares written staff reports and makes recommendations for decision makers.
• Reviews and issues formal decisions on Design Review applications.
• Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Presents staff reports at public meetings before the Hearing Examiner, Design Review Board, and City Council.
• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the City, developers, and civic groups.
• Works with applicants, individuals and interest groups to negotiate revisions, resolve disputes and facilitate consensus in issues pertaining to building permits, development permits and planning projects.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Prepares legal documents associated with development permits. Monitors maintenance and performance securities, including wetland mitigation and landscaping.
• Performs research tasks as assigned.
• Creates and/or revises administrative procedures to implement changes to policies and codes.
• Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
• Supports the Code Enforcement Officer, including code analysis and site visits.
• Represents the department on interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.
• Collects and analyzes demographic, land use, and related data.
• Assists in preparing policies, regulations, and implementing programs influencing the growth and development of the City.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Why Kirkland?
Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!
If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.
We also invest in you!
Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.
Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.
Childcare Programs:To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!
Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its e mployees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of planning practices and land use codes.
• Ability to analyze code provisions.
• Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
• Ability to negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on planning issues.
• Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and permit tracking.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in planning or related field.
• Experience: 1 year of professional planning-related experience is desired.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Ability to perform site visits.

Other
Physical Demands and Working Environment:


Job involves desk work which may be interrupted with phone and counter calls. Involves attendance at meetings in City Hall or off-site and before or after normal working hours. Reports and correspondence are typically prepared at the computer terminal. This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards. Frequent site visits to building sites or vacant properties can involve rugged and dirty conditions.


Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. Job is open until filled with first review by 15th day of original posting date.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call View phone number on click.appcast.io or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.
This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.


Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions.


Other employment benefits include:

• 401b Municipal Employee Benefits Trust (MEBT) with 6.2% City matching contribution
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA dollars with City contribution (City contribution depending on employee elected medical plan)
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City paid Life Insurance
• City paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Paid vacation (starts with 13 days first year may be prorated for part-time positions)
• Annual 12 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Paid sick leave accruals (benefit may vary based on applicable bargaining unit)
• Paid Management Leave for select leadership positions

Perks include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Free EV charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
• Free ORCA card for public transit
• Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
• Free employee parking
• Childcare programs with discounted tuition rates
• Wellness and transportation incentives

For further review of City Benefits and Perks please visit