Position Title: Assistant Planner
Department: Public Services
Location: Yelm City Hall
Salary Range: $58,032 – $70,015 (2021)

General Purpose:

Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the current and/or long-range planning programs of the city related to the implementation of land use and related municipal plans and policies.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general supervision of the Planning & Building Manager.

Supervision Exercised:

None.  May lead support staff, part-time or temporary employees or volunteers, as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responabilities:

  • Assists in the development of short and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
  • Provides technical and professional advice; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.  Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community group and interested persons.
  • Reviews development and related land use permit applications for compliance with established plans, regulations, and development standards. Solicits input from appropriate staff, schedules hearings and actions, monitors through the approval process, enforces compliance with regulations; prepares reports and related data as required.
  • Reviews business license applications for compliance with land use, sign and related regulations.
  • Provides technical assistance for long range planning projects.
  • Provides staff support to the Planning Commission as needed and assigned.  Prepares planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations on various land use proposals.
  • Evaluates environmental information and recommends mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development.
  • Assists city staff in the enforcement of local regulations and in interpreting city codes and master plans.
  • Assists in designs for parks, streetscapes, landscapes and other municipal projects.  Updates a variety of maps.  Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
  • Serves when assigned as a member of a planning task force composed of City, County or State groups.
  • Assists in maintaining databases of information for planning purposes.
  • Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning and land use regulations and policies.

Peripheral Duties:

  • Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
  • Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.
  • Assists other staff members as needed.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in land-use planning, urban planning, public administration or a closely related field.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to accomplish the duties of the position.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Thorough knowledge of land use laws and comprehensive planning including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes; working knowledge of personal computers and GIS applications
  • Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, and the general public; ability to establish effective working relationships.

Special Requirements:

Valid Washington State driver’s license, or ability to obtain one.

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.

Work is performed mostly in office settings.  Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites.  Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the 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 employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.

Application Procedure:

Please submit the application, letter of interest, resume and proof of certifications to Karen Bennett at karenb@yelmwa.gov.