Long Range/Natural Resource Planner

Franklin County (WA); Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin County is seeking a Long Range / Natural Resource Planner to oversee long-term planning actions, comprehensive plans, zoning petitions, and updates to land use plans and regulations. The role includes leading SEPA/NEPA tasks, managing complex land-use projects, and collaborating with the director and planners on code interpretations.

Strong research, communication, and organizational skills are essential, with responsibilities that include public-facing interactions, policy analysis,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning or a closely related field.
• Two years of land use planning, economic development, or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and develop recommendations to improve land-use policies and regulations.
• Manage projects related to land use policy and development regulations.
• Lead SEPA/NEPA functions, including writing SEPA/NEPA documents.
• Coordinate with the director and other planners on code interpretations.
• Represent Franklin County on boards or advisory groups.
• Manage complex land use applications (large subdivisions, PUDs, substantial shoreline actions).
• Provide customer service and respond to inquiries with policy interpretation and reporting.

Skills

SEPA/NEPA knowledge

GIS software

Communication skills

Project management

Time management

Blue Beam & SmartGov familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or closely related field

Two years land use planning or economic development experience

Tools

Blue Beam

SmartGov

Job description

The Long Range / Natural Resource Planner position administers long term planning actions, comprehensive plan and zoning petitions, periodic updates to our current community land use plans, regulations, and procedures, sub-area plans, master plan resorts, natural resource plans, and performs or assists in a wide variety of other technical or administrative tasks to manage the planning applications workload.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• As assigned by the Director, acts as the lead agent in the research and development of recommendations for improvements to the Franklin County land-use policies and regulations, as well as other long-term planning and economic development policies, standards, and/or projects.
• Manages projects related to land use policy and development regulations including but not limited to the comprehensive plan, capital facilities plan, county-wide planning policies, shoreline master plan, sub-area plans, master plan resorts, major industrial developments, urban growth area and other overlays, natural resource plans, and economic development plans.
• Leads all SEPA/NEPA functions, including but not limited to writing SEPA/NEPA documents, reviewing SEPA/NEPA documents performed by other planners, and responding to comments.
• Coordinates with the director and other planners with code interpretations.
• Attends Pre-application meetings as assigned.
• As assigned by the Director, represents Franklin County on a variety of boards, commissions, and advisory groups.
• Manages complex applications for land use actions, such as large subdivisions, planned unit developments, substantial shoreline applications, etc.
• Provides customer service and performs department functions by responding to requests, inquiries, questions, or appeals by researching, reviewing, analyzing, tracking, or reconciling and communicating policy interpretation, sharing detailed and/or technical information, making recommendations, and providing advice, reports, answers, and presentations within scope of knowledge or authority.
• Assists with the general administration of the Code Enforcement program as they relate to critical areas or shoreline violations including providing code interpretation, communication to property owners, site investigations, and presentations at public hearings.
• Assists with developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and making improvements to performance standards, processes, policies, procedures, ordinances, building codes and standards, or database due to new trends, innovations, federal, state and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to the assigned areas and responsibilities.
• Pursues self-development and continuing development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional or technical publications, and establishing personal networks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient knowledge in the laws, rules, and guidance related to the Growth Management Act, Shorelines Management Act, SEPA/NEPA, and other pertinent environmental regulations.
• Proficient knowledge of relevant legislation, and modern principles, methods, and practices in planning and code enforcement. Knowledge of state and local planning, zoning, development, and building codes.
• Proficient knowledge of, and ability to apply, techniques and related tools, equipment, and technology as they relate to area(s) of assignment according to current department and County practices.
• Proficient skills in troubleshooting and resolving issues or problems by analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Proficient time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.
• Proficient computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook, using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and the internet for research. The ability to learn and develop proficient skills in the current County-wide resource planning.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing. Attention to details is a must.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
• Ability to effectively present information, findings, proposals, training, or other information to a variety of audiences by clearly articulating, engaging the audience, assessing the needs of the audience, and using appropriate materials to help audience understand the message.
• Ability to work independently and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn Blue Beam and SmartGov Programs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:
  • constantly: in an office environment, and
  • occasionally: wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold or heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, dirt, dust, and shavings.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, a typical office environment and occasionally loud when on active construction project sites.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Required to be on call and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to attend meetings, complete work, or respond to emergencies.
• Required to travel frequently within the County for meetings and field work and occasionally in the state for affiliate or associate meetings or training and conferences which may require an overnight stay.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The person in this position must be able to
  • constantly: talk or hear, sit for extended periods of time, and use hands, fingers to handle or feel, or operate equipment or tools, and
  • frequently: stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and
  • occasionally: climb, pull, push or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• frequently carry or transport up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• have the following vision abilities: depth perception, peripheral vision, ability to adjust focus, and have close and distance vision (from one inch to 20 feet or more).

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in planning or a closely related field.
• Two years of land use planning, economic development, or related experience.

OR

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
• Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER

The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.