Long Range Planner

San Juan County (WA); Friday Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

San Juan County (WA) seeks a planning professional to evaluate development proposals for conformity with local and state land use laws, environmental rules, shoreline regulations, and growth management policies.

Responsibilities include presenting recommendations at public hearings, negotiating with applicants, researching regulations, and drafting amendments. The role involves public interaction, maps interpretation, and coordinating with elected officials and agencies to advance planning goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning with at least 3 years in government planning environment.
• Long-range planning experience preferred or equivalent combination of education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate development proposals for consistency with local/state land use, environmental, shoreline and growth management laws.
• Prepare and present recommendations in public meetings/hearings; negotiate with applicants.
• Interpret regulations and state law; research and draft code amendments.
• Lead or participate in public advisory meetings; review and respond to public inquiries.
• Research, evaluate and write plans/ordinances or amendments affecting land and shoreline development.
• Review major development proposals for compliance with laws; maintain records and conduct site inspections.

Skills

Public communication

Policy analysis

Maps interpretation

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning

Job description

Evaluate development proposals and planning policies for consistency with local and state land use, environmental, shoreline and growth management laws. Recommend actions on land use and development proposals and appeals, negotiate with project applicants, and present recommendations in public meetings and hearings.

Reviews simple land divisions, short plats, variances, shoreline permits, CUPs, open space applications, site specific redesignations and subdivisions for conformance with county code and State law/regulation including (SEPA). Processes administrative appeals. Conducts research and prepares & processes code amendments. Involves interpretation of regulations and State law and research/development of code amendments.

1. As assigned, assists in the formulation of long-range, comprehensive and functional plans to address land use, housing, water resources, transportation, capital facilities, and historic preservation. Reviews land use and development proposals and researches, analyzes and interprets applicable regulations to formulate an appropriate response to, or recommendations on proposals, in accordance with the code.
2. Participates in public and citizen advisory committee meetings on comprehensive planning and plan development and implementation. Meets with the public to review current development proposals.
3. Prepares and presents testimony and recommendations for public hearings before the County Council, the Planning Commission, the Board of Equalization, the hearing examiner, and the courts.
4. Interprets and develops administrative practices for application of state and local laws. Confers with elected officials, other agencies, interested groups, and individual citizens on specific planning programs and regulations relevant to development proposals.
5. Assists in researching, evaluating and writing plans and ordinances or amendments and recommends proposals for amendments to ordinances which affect land and shoreline development.
6. Reviews and evaluates major development proposals for compliance with local and state land use laws.
7. Performs development review tasks according to law and maintains public records of actions. Conducts site inspections to assess development proposals.
8. Serves as lead on special projects as assigned. When authorized by Director, delegates work projects and provides guidance to other section members. Will be cross trained to support the work of others in the department, as workload allows and as assigned.
9. Acts within the scope of his or her responsibilities, working as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, and adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
10. Acting within the scope of their responsibilities, work as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
11. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning with at least three years’ experience in government planning environment with at least one year of long-range planning responsibility, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Training or experience in review of construction plans, biology, hydrology, soils, horticulture or natural resources

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work effectively with the public in confrontational or adversarial situations
• Ability to interpret maps, property descriptions and technical documents
• Ability to make public presentations and prepare graphic displays of information
• Ability to analyze complex policy and regulatory issues and present a cohesive argument to decision-makers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work requires continuous sitting and operation of a computer including keyboard and mouse operation
• Frequent standing and walking
• Involves talking and hearing in person and on the phone
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to differentiate colors and read computer monitor.
• Deals with customer stress and deadlines, which may require overtime, flexibility of time
• This position requires attention to detail and communication skills

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works primarily in an office environment although some travel to other locations may be required by boat or by air, including for field operations, which may involve inclement weather conditions.