Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Geography, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management or related field.

Minimum Experience: Three years of work experience with a municipal or private land use planning organization OR any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Minimum Certifications: n/a

Other Requirements:

  • Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
  • Valid Washington State Driver’s License if driving a vehicle for County business.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Planning Manager, this position performs a variety of professional land use planning work including assisting with the administration of the Benton County Rural Water Supply Program (RWSP); provides information to the public, elected officials, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission members and other County departments.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

  • Discusses land use proposals with the public in person or over the phone.
  • Assists members of the public with land use questions and answers customer’s inquiries regarding the planning process, zoning, timetables, and related rules, regulations, and/or policies.
  • Assists members of the public with planning and RWSP application processes.
  • Interprets and applies federal, state and county codes for land use and RWSP inquiries and proposals.
  • Reviews planning and building division proposals for setbacks, proposed land use, and critical areas; provides approvals or denials after reviewal.
  • Reviews and processes boundary line adjustments, lot consolidations, SEPA reviews and Conditional Use Permits.
  • Processes, evaluates, and issues RWSP applications requests and coordinates with the public.
  • Reviews land use development proposals by evaluating the scope and purpose of each project, researching specific property limitations, and reviewing the Benton County Code for compliance.
  • Performs site review and field investigations to analyze application, proposals, or complaints.
  • Tracks water mitigation certifications, water bank uses (through a third-party software program), meter installation, and enforcement activities associated with the RWSP.
  • Represents the County and presents land use proposals at the Hearings Examiner, Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioner meetings
  • Represents the County and presents on local ground water issues at professional meetings.
  • Collects and reviews/analyzes various environmental documents, critical area reports, wetland delineations, geological hazardous risk assessments, and flood applications.
  • Provides technical and staff support to the senior planning staff on various projects as needed.
  • Attends regular division meetings to stay current on interdivisional happenings and coworker workloads. 
  • Composes professional documents such as staff reports, legal covenants, and general correspondence.
  • Enters, scans, updates, and maintains information in spreadsheets, databases, and reports.
  • Maintains department-specific electronic and paper filing and record systems and documents to provide easy access to records and information; provides retention of records as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

  • Principles, practices and techniques used in land use planning and water resources.
  • Local, state and federal laws relating to land use planning, water resources, and environmental issues.
  • Principles of site impact analysis for development projects.
  • Principles of geography.
  • Legal descriptions, cartography and GIS systems.
  • Administrative policies and procedures of the County.
  • The County’s and Division’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
  • Current office practices and procedures.
  • Operation of standard office equipment and software consistent with this position.

Skill in:

  • Analyzing environmental and land use information to identify options, develop mitigation strategies, resolve problems, apply solutions, guidelines and policy to field problems and other work assignments.
  • Identifying technical and operational problems and recommending appropriate corrective actions.
  • Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
  • Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and present water usage data by utilizing Excel for data manipulation and reporting.

Ability to:

  • Read and interpret technical data, legal descriptions, maps and aerial photos.
  • Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
  • Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
  • Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
  • Apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
  • Read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
  • Communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Maintain professionalism at all times.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
  • Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of the Public Records Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
  • Work the allocated hours of the position.
  • Travel overnight for occasional training and employee development opportunities as assigned.

Physical and Work Environment:

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

  • This work involves occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds within a limited range for access to storage boxes; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, climbing stairs and ladders and reaching with hands and arms.
  • Work has standard vision requirements.
  • Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
  • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
  • Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
  • Work may involve mobility over rough or difficult terrain. Work is performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and includes exposure to inclement weather, noise, vibrations, airborne materials, and active construction sites.
  • Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting and in the field with occasional exposure to irate customers and citizen groups.
View more details and apply today!