Assistant Planner

City of Kirkland, WA; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Benefits

Job summary

The City of Kirkland is seeking an Assistant Planner to act as a customer liaison for the Planning Division. You will provide information on development regulations, assist permit applicants, and support the processing of minor administrative development applications under supervision.

This entry-level role emphasizes customer service, teamwork, and adherence to planning policies, with opportunities to learn under experienced planners and engage with the community in Kirkland, WA.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Experience in providing customer service.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to perform duties.

Responsibilities

• Provide information about the city's development regulations and policies to the public and permit applicants.
• Conduct technical review of building permit applications (single-family and minor projects).
• Process minor administrative development applications for compliance with regulations.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Education

High school diploma or GED

Undergraduate degree in planning or related field (desired)

Job description

City of Kirkland. $84,103.34 - $98,952.26 Annually. City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA; Planning & Building - PB Team 03. Full-Time. Closing Date: Continuous. FLSA: Non-Exempt. Bargaining Unit: AFSCME.

Job Summary

Note: Job is open until filled with first review of applicants to occur on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The role of the Assistant Planner is to act as a customer liaison for the Planning Division of the Planning & Building Department. Implements the mission of the Department to assure the orderly growth of the City. Undertakes and coordinates planning services involving providing public information about City planning policies, regulations, and activities, conducting technical plan review, and processing minor administrative development applications.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the entry-level classification in the Planner series. The incumbent follows routine procedures and guidelines in the application of prescribed duties and works under close supervision with work frequently reviewed by a superior. Assistant level work is performed under close to basic supervision and assignments are accompanied by clear, detailed, and specific instruction. This classification is distinguished from the Planner in that the latter performs more complex technical 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 about the City's development regulations and policies to the general public and permit applicants - over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, and at meetings. Routes inquiries concerning specific development permits to project planners.
• Conducts technical review of single-family and other minor residential and commercial building permit applications.
• Processes minor administrative development applications to ensure compliance with City development regulations and policies, and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits.
• 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

• Accepts development permit applications for filing, reviews for completeness, calculates and receipts fees, enters permits into permit tracking software and routes to supervising planners for further processing.
• Ensures that the public counter information is up to date, including City codes, maps, and forms.
• Supports Code Enforcement, including code analysis and site visits.
• Performs research tasks as assigned.
• Prepares standard City legal documents associated with building permits and minor administrative development applications.
• Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
• 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 employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent customer service/public relations skills.
• Knowledge of land use codes and land use practices.
• Ability to analyze code provisions.
• Knowledge of basic environmental functions and values.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
• Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing and permit tracking.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: Experience in providing customer service.
• 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:

• Undergraduate degree in planning or related field is desired.
• General knowledge of planning and/or zoning.
• Ability to perform site visits.
• Possession of a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to secure a reasonable transportation accommodation to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position

Other

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Job includes extensive customer contact at the counter and on the telephone, as well as desk work. May involve attendance at meetings in City Hall or occasionally 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 occasionally involve rugged and dirty conditions.

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 425-587-3210 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.