Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Job Number: 1914-0522
Closing: Continuous

Learn more about this position and apply today on Skagit County Government Jobs page.

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing professional level planning support to administrative and senior-level planning staff, with emphasis on project management and/or as a technical specialist in a particular aspect of planning, for a wide range of land use proposals including subdivisions, special use permits and variances.

Coordinates the preparation and/or administration of comprehensive plan, public policy and development regulations. Works with a team of professional planners and support staff from pre-application through the public review process. Provides recommendations to the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners. Provides timely responses to public inquires relating to the land use code.

Salary:

  • Salary upon hire is $27.64 to $29.63 per hour (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.
  • Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 8 (top step is $35.19/hr.). The Associate Planner position is Range 14 of the PROTEC Union (Planning Unit I) salary schedule. 

Essential Functions:

  • Responds to public inquiries with information on the comprehensive planning process, public policy and development regulations.
  • Interprets and administers land use code under the supervision of the Team Supervisor.
  • Conducts data collection, analysis, and studies related to land use, growth management, environmental planning issues, policies and their applications.
  • Manages scopes and reviews the technical work of consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as appropriate.
  • Assists with policy and plan development.
  • Attends pre-application meetings and provides direction and guidance on the land use review process.
  • Prepares staff reports and recommendations addressing land use proposals.
  • Provides on call support to front desk inquires and responds to public in a courteous manner, provides information within scope of knowledge.
  • Meets with applicants and/or consultants to review land use issues, both in the office and occasionally in the field.
  • Provides technical support and assistance to code compliance officer.
  • Prepares and presents written, oral and visual reports, maps, and graphics and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, Citizen Advisory Committees, community groups, and private organizations related to land use.
  • Advises appointed and elected officials on public policy issues, planning procedures, comprehensive or sub-area plans, as well as regulatory ordinances, or their amendments.

Supervisory:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Other Job Functions:

  • Code development, interpretation, education, outreach, grant administration, technical review, enforcement and administration.
  • Serves on various community planning committees or advisory boards.
  • Assists with routine office tasks, including phone inquiries, mailing, copying, and permit processing.
  • May direct, supervise, manage, and/or mentor consultants or staff on certain projects.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree with specific area of study being planning, geography, natural resources, natural sciences or environmental studies.
  • Between three to five years of experience in planning or related fields.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position

Required Knowledge of:

  • Local government and political decision-making processes
  • Washington State statutes as they relate to planning, growth management and the environment
  • Planning principles, practices, regulations and techniques as they relate to land use, transportation, growth management, natural resource lands, capital facility, community development, or environmental planning issues, policies and their applications
  • Planning and Permitting process and requirements
  • Growth Management Act, Comprehensive Plans, Development Regulations
  • Operation of standard office equipment, including computers (literacy with word processing, spreadsheet and data base software programs)

Required Ability to:

  • Assume independent responsibility for planning projects
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
  • Think conceptually and express thoughts clearly and concisely
  • Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial planning policies or regulations
  • Establish and maintain effective working relations with elected and appointed officials, agencies, staff, and the community
  • Understand and interpret maps, land descriptions
  • Research, compile and analyze data
  • Deal with stressful situations
  • Use and understand legal terms and to compose legal documents
  • Use office equipment including computer and software

License and/or Certifications:

  • A.I.C.P certification is preferred
  • Valid Washington State driver’s license

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

Work is preformed primarily in an office environment, but also occasionally requires fieldwork, and driving to and attending community meetings. Must be able to remain seated at a desk for extended work periods. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Considerable analytical ability, conceptual ability, logic and intuitive must be applied. Attendance at meetings may require working evening hours.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.