Associate Planner

City of Anacortes; Anacortes (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Anacortes is seeking an Associate Planner to join the Planning Department. You will assist applicants at the counter, review development applications for compliance with plans and regulations, and coordinate with other agencies.

You will conduct site inspections, respond to complaints, and help prepare public notices and staff reports. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in geography, planning, environmental science, or related field, plus 2 years of relevant experience (or 1 year

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geography, planning, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resource planning or similar field.
• Two years of experience administering land use regulations, or one year plus graduate coursework in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Perform customer service duties at the planning counter and assist applicants with permit applications.
• Manage development applications, review for completeness and compliance with plans and codes, and coordinate public notices.
• Conduct field inspections to assess site conditions and monitor permit compliance.
• Respond to complaints and recommend actions; provide guidance to diverse stakeholders.
• Prepare educational materials and assist in updating ordinances and procedures.
• Participate in staff meetings and pursue continuous improvement in planning services.
• Attend trainings to stay current with relevant ordinances and legal changes.

Skills

Communication

Written communication

Independent judgment

Research & analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in geography, planning, environmental science, or similar

Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs customer service duties at the planning counter. Meets and assists applicants, identifies and explains applicable procedures and regulations, and assists them with the proper completion of permit applications. Acts as the Planning Department’s primary point of contact for customers at the front counter and on the phone.
2. Serves as project manager and conducts development application review process which determines permit application completeness and conformance with comprehensive plans and applicable policies, regulations and codes; inspects and evaluates properties to determine environmental and critical area characteristics as well as compatibility with adjacent land uses; prepares and distributes public notices; tracks public comments; routes applications to other interested agencies and groups for comment; schedules and conducts technical review meetings with applicants and other affected parties; negotiates project redesign as appropriate; prepares and schedules cases for public hearings; presents staff reports and makes recommendations on land use applications to decision-makers; tracks projects through completion.
3. Performs field inspections prior to preparing final reports to determine pre-project site conditions and perform post-permit issuance inspections to monitor compliance with the conditions of approval.
4. Responds to complaints, investigates reports of violations and recommends appropriate action.
5. Provides consultation to other departments, public and private agencies, attorneys, builders, engineers, community interest groups, and the general public regarding land use and environmental policies, standards and regulations, or refers them to the appropriate local, state or federal agencies with regulatory control or expertise.
6. Assists with preparation of public educational materials and forms regarding environmental regulations and permit processes and procedures.
7. Assists in updating or developing new ordinances, codes and regulations, programs and procedures and coordinates their implementation.
8. Participates in staff meetings. Provides input and recommendations to improve work processes and the general operation, performance, and services provided by the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department.
9. Attends training and stays current with ordinances, codes, and legal changes pertaining to environmental, land use, and related subjects.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s degree in geography, planning, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resource planning or similar field plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the administration of land use regulations, or at least one (1) year of graduate coursework experience in geography, planning, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resource planning or similar field, plus a minimum of one (1) year experience in the administration of land use regulations.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Washington State driver's license

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Knowledge of environmental planning and regulations. Familiarity with principles and practices of land use planning, zoning administration, and subdivision design and development.
• Knowledge of the Washington State Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, and municipal land use, zoning, annexation and subdivision statutes.
• Knowledge of research methods using a variety of information and data sources.
• Knowledge of office procedures, including effective filing and accurate record-keeping techniques.

ABILITY TO

• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a professional, business-like manner.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to make decisions about day-to-day issues and activities; interpret, explain and apply policies and procedures to situations; deal tactfully and courteously with customers, both internal and external; and prepare, maintain and process a variety of documents.
• Ability to clearly and effectively interpret, evaluate, explain and apply complex codes and ordinances; conduct research and analysis; and read and interpret complex grants, maps, plan drawings, permit applications and other public plans.
• Ability to work in a cooperative, collaborative atmosphere; handle a diverse workload and multiple deadlines in an ever-changing political and legal environment; perform work in a multi-task work environment; and prioritize and organize projects to achieve excellent outcomes.
• Ability to work under strict deadline requirements, and handle applicant pressure or disgruntled public.
• Ability to analyze and interpret topographic maps, aerial photographs, plan drawings and specifications.
• Ability to maintain organized work documents and apply strict attention to detail and process.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

This position performs work under the general supervision of the Planning Manager, exercising considerable latitude and judgment in accomplishing defined responsibilities and assignments. The Associate Planner provides assistance to the Building Department as directed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office, which is busy, oriented to public service and subject to constant work interruption. Employees may work under the stress of continual public and/or inter-departmental contact and pressure to meet deadlines. This position works a regular schedule; however, incumbents may be required to work some evening hours to attend public meetings.

PHYSICAL

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls as well as type and write; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, i.e., copier toner.

OTHER

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility; but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individual may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Following an offer of employment, and prior to starting work, individuals may be required to have a pre-employment physical examination by a physician designated by the City of Anacortes. The City will pay for the examination. Satisfactory clearance to perform essential job functions will be required for employment. As an absolute condition of employment, employees are required upon hire to sign a drug-free workplace agreement and an agreement not to use tobacco products in any form while on the job.

The City of Anacortes is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, creed, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), marital status, families with children, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, sexual orientation including gender identity, or status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, or any other class protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.