Associate Planner

City-of-Battle-Groun; Battle Ground (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Battle Ground is seeking a Planning professional to manage land use applications, coordinate across departments, and guide projects through the approval process. This role requires strong knowledge of zoning laws, public involvement, and the ability to present before hearings.

The candidate will conduct field observations, ensure compliance with land use conditions, and assist in comprehensive planning tasks. A related degree and prior planning experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in land-use planning, urban planning, or related field preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with land use processes, zoning, and planning regulations is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Review land use applications and prepare staff reports for compliance with regulations.
• Coordinate with departments to move projects from pre-application to land use approval.
• Provide information on land use regulations to architects, engineers, developers and the public.
• Appear before Hearing Examiner and Planning Commission to present applications.

Skills

Legal document analysis

Oral and written communication

Public speaking at hearings

GIS proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in land-use planning

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Position Summary:

This position performs a variety of professional and technical work in current planning, municipal code updates, economic development, and long-range planning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews land use applications and prepares staff reports for compliance with various locals, state and federal requirements; guides projects through the approval process.
• Coordinates with other departments to move a project forward from the pre-application stage to land use approval.
• Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and interested persons.
• Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances.

• Conducts field visits to observe land prior to development and at various stages of construction to assume development is occurring to the approved plans.
• Monitors compliance of permitted projects with land use conditions through construction and occupancy of the project.

• Appear before the city Hearing Examiner and Planning Commission to present on development applications and other planning projects.
• This position serves as the primary counter position, which involves responding to zoning, land use, planning, or project questions.
• Assists in comprehensive planning tasks and sub area plans.
• Facilitates community and public involvement meetings.
• Assists the Planning Supervisor and Community Development Director in planning or research tasks.
• Assists the Code Compliance Officer with research regarding zoning, land use, nuisance, or building violations.
• Conducts research, perform analysis and plan review and integrate complete work into composite reports or presentations of both narrative and graphic nature.
• Maintain, disclose and destroy public records in accordance with the requirements of the WA Public Records Act and WA State Archives records retention guidelines.
• Timely and regular attendance.
• Follow/adhere to all city policies and procedures, and safety program regulations and requirements.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Zoning laws and comprehensive plans, including their formation, process of adoption, implementation and enforcement; planning programs and process; and knowledge of GIS applications.
• Washington State Growth Management and the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Washington State laws relating to development.

• Modern office methods, procedures and office equipment.
• Computer literacy and experience using a personal computer.
• Regulations, principle and practices of a records retention system.
• Record keeping and administration.
• City government functions, policies, rules and regulations

Ability to:

• Read and analyze standard legal documents, and provide recommendations.
• Recommend creative solutions or alternatives to challenging zoning or building related requests.
• Deal with the public, engineers, and general contractors and suppliers courteously and tactfully.
• Interpret and enforce codes and ordinances tactfully and fairly with impartiality.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Make effective oral presentations at public hearings and meetings.

• Use permitting and electronic plan review software.
• Work under pressure, with challenging deadlines.
• Work independently on multiple tasks, copes with interruptions and meet deadlines.
• Prioritize tasks and coordinate efforts.
• Work as a team player.
• Maintain, disclose and destroy public records in accordance with the requirements of the WA Public Records Act and WA State Archives records retention guidelines.

• Perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers and other City personnel, contractors, other agencies, and the general public.

Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions or similar behaviors, attributes or requirement

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Bachelor’s Degree in land-use planning, urban planning, or other closely related field, is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of work experience in land use planning, with current planning experience preferred.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Must successfully pass all phases of the pre-employment hiring process, including but not limited to, reference checks and a criminal background check.

Note: Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job will be considered.

Office environment, with the greater percentage of employee's time spent indoors; some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sitesin varying weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field. Walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Position may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Position may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.