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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssociate Planner JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Job Title: Associate Planner Department: Community Development Division: Development Review/Long Range Planning Reports To: Director of Community Development FSLA Exempt(Y/N): No Union: UFCW Salary Level: Grade 33 Location: Castle Hill Approved By: Human Resources Manager Approved Date: July 2020 SUMMARY: Performs professional level work with a minimum of supervision in the fields of current planning and/or long range planning. Work involves the application of planning principles in the administration and development of planning programs and policy, particularly as related to land use regulations in Washington State, including but not limited to the Shoreline Management Act,the State Environmental Policy Act,the Planning Enabling Act, and the Growth Management Act. Planners have significant daily contact with the public for the purpose of information sharing and problem resolution. Due to the subject matter, some contacts may be confrontational,requiring the Planner to explain County policies and procedures in a professional,concise,and respectful manner. Planners also have daily contact with other County staff for the purpose of information sharing,work coordination, and problem resolution. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Reviews a wide variety of development proposals and applications, documents,and technical findings, including those relating to complex and large projects, for compliance with County, State, and Federal regulations and plans as applicable. • Conducts site inspections to identify any applicable conditions and evaluates the potential impact of the plan. • Coordinates the review of assigned projects and proposals and/or the preparation of planning studies and reports with all other appropriate County departments and outside agencies. Communicates with applicants on a regular basis throughout the process. • Collects and analyzes pertinent information and prepares staff reports and other related reports to detail findings. Formulates planning decisions and recommendations. • Presents findings and recommendations to the applicable hearing body. Presents staff report or other planning information at a public hearing and meetings and responds to any inquiries. Represents the department in appeals before the Board of County Commissioners or Hearing Examiner. • Serves as the County representative in conducting pre-application conferences with applicants, builders, contractors, and other interested parties.Provides information regarding the planning process,applicable regulations,policies,and plans. • Provides assistance and information to the public at the Permit Center utility counter, in written correspondence, and by phone on an ongoing basis. • Conducts technical research studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for a variety of planning projects including drafting or revising local legislation and plans, projecting trends,monitoring socioeconomic changes or informing the public. • Prepares and/or reviews proposed new ordinances and ordinance amendments. Drafts written comments for review by the Planning Commission,other advisory groups,Hearing Examiner, and the Board of County Commissioners. Jefferson County Job Description: Community Development-Associate Planner Page 2 of 3 • Provides staff report to appointed committees on planning, shoreline,building code, zoning issues or special studies. Represents the County as technical expert in restoration of land subject to enforcement issues. • Monitors code compliance as appropriate. • Performs other duties as assigned. ACCOUNTABILITY: Planners are accountable for completing all assigned work in a timely, professional manner. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill,and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor of Arts or Sciences from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning,Geography,Environmental Planning,Environmental Science,or a closely related area;AND three years of demonstrated experience in land use planning, natural resource planning, environmental review, community development, public administration,or a related field with at least one year of local government experience is required, OR equivalent combination of education and experience with an advanced degree in one of the above noted areas substituting for one of the required years of experience. Knowledge of principles and practices of planning, statutes pertaining to land use policy making and comprehensive planning and implementation,growth management, shoreline administration, land divisions,administrative procedures,applicable environmental laws and regulations; local government authority and responsibilities; current literature and information sources in the field of planning and growth management required. Extensive knowledge of and ability to fully utilize computer programs and applications for the storage and manipulation of data, including on-line programs. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.Ability to write reports,business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers,other agencies,applicants, and the general public. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference,and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry.Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages,ratios, and proportions to practical situations. REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written,oral, diagram, or schedule form.Ability to interpret and apply applicable planning policy and regulations; analyze and compile relevant information and prepare clear and concise reports. CERTIFICATES,LICENSES,REGISTRATIONS: Valid Washington State Driver's license Jefferson County Job Description: Community Development-Associate Planner Page 3 of 3 OTHER KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to use standard office equipment including computer and copy machines. Position is primarily indoors with a portion of time spent performing duties out-of-doors completing site investigations. Investigations require visits to construction sites,areas of rough terrain,wetlands, and shorelines. Only rarely will the site visit be by boat or air travel or be in the proximity of heavy equipment. Travel and attendance at meetings and conferences, both during regular working hours and in the evening, are required. Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial planning policies or regulations. Ability to develop and write plans based on an analysis of data and on-going citizen and staff input. Ability to review Environmental Impact Statements. Skill in working within a team discipline. Skill in formulating and presenting appropriate planning options to various audiences. Skill in preparing support documentation which clearly,precisely,and concisely presents planning recommendations. 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. While performing the duties of this job,the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle,or feel;and talk or hear.The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel,crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,distance vision,color vision,peripheral vision,depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 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. While performing the duties of this job,the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. CAREER LADDER/SKILL BAND: This position is the most senior level position in a career ladder for Planners.The entry level position in the career ladder is Assistant Planner.Advancement from Assistant Planner to Associate Planner within the career ladder requires meeting the requirements for Associate Planner and a positive recommendation from the Department Director.