Reporting to the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager, the Senior Project Planner is responsible for performing public engagement, communications, complex research and analysis, legislation monitoring and long-range planning duties at the highest level of expertise. This position is also responsible for duties, which include but are not limited to, performing complex planning duties in support of the Director and elected officials; leading policy development and public engagement projects; serving as a liaison with Public Affairs Department, and creating ongoing engagement strategies on behalf of the Department; providing information to various stakeholders on the planning process; and independently researching and analyzing planning issues, and preparing special reports as assigned.
The Community and Economic Development Department is responsible for shaping our community and for the City’s full range of community planning, land use development, environmental protection and construction code compliance. The Department’s mission is to enrich the quality of lives in Lacey for all our citizens by providing to the public timely and accurate assistance and participation in the development and implementation of the Community’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Codes in order to ensure: a diversified economy providing family jobs, goods and services; safe, well designed and attractive neighborhoods; the highest quality of development and construction in the City; and the protection of our environmental resources and natural beauty.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
These duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Provides the highest level of support to the Department Director and the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager in working with Planning Commission, City Council, intergovernmental committees, and staff on public policy and legislative issues, planning procedures, special comprehensive plans, and regulatory ordinances by conducting research, analysis and developing reports and presentations. May assist the Planning Manager with long range planning projects and program development.
- Responsible for leading the project management process of implementation or policy development projects, that could include facilitating internal and/or external stakeholder groups, committees, task force and/or community forums, to a successful conclusion.
- Monitors legislative activities and actions for impacts to department and city regulations and operations. Communicates impacts to stakeholders groups including the department leadership, city manager and council. Serves as a liaison for CED to Public Affairs on legislative related issues.
- Identifies and supports economic development initiatives. Implements economic development initiatives in support of the City of Lacey Economic Development Plan and strategy.
- Conducts research and analysis to identify strategies, action plans, resource requirements and timelines for public engagement projects, and assists department staff in the development of plans, outreach, communications and engagement activities. Coaches and mentors’ internal stakeholders on public engagement processes.
- Coordinates department responses to inquiries on planning, building and economic development topics from the public, internal departments and City Council.
- Produce reports and “dashboards” on a monthly, quarterly and/or annual basis highlighting department and community data, statistics and trends for informing internal and external stakeholders.
- Represent the Director at regional and/or inter-jurisdictional boards, committees and meetings when assigned.
- Researches and analyzes population, land use, demographic and statistical data and produces reports and presentations based on the research and analysis. Advises decision makers on research as directed.
- Assists the public and developers in the field, at the counter, and over the phone with inquiries related to zoning considerations regarding land development and/or related issues.
- Uses GIS software to create maps and analyze spatial data.
Other Duties Assigned
- Monitors day-to-day operations; anticipates and troubleshoots problems where needed and assures staff responds quickly and appropriately to citizen inquiries, requests for service, and/or complaints.
- Performs routine review of assigned work, detecting and preventing errors or mistakes that would prove costly or could seriously disrupt a City service or project.
- May oversee the work of part-time, seasonal, or temporary positions. May supervise work of Assistant Planners on projects as assigned by the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
At the Senior Planner Level ($8,030.46-9,544.34)
A Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Public Administration or a related field AND six (6) years of work experience performing long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review.
OR
A Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Public Administration or a related field AND five (5) years of work experience performing long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
At the Associate Project Planner Level ($7,453.06-$8,863.16)
A Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Public Administration or a related field AND three (3) years of work experience performing long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review.
OR
A Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Public Administration or a related field AND two (2) years of work experience performing long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- AICP membership or education and experience necessary to qualify to take the AICP exam.
- Experience working for a government agency.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S):
- Must pass a background investigation and successfully complete pre-employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier, OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.
- Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete a required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Public engagement tactics, practices, techniques, and principles to support public engagement initiatives and events.
- Comprehensive Plan and public policy development processes.
- Principles and practices of urban planning and zoning.
- Zoning, subdivision concepts and processes.
- Landscape planning, both as to principles of site design and use of plant materials.
- Washington State Growth Management Act.
- Washington State shoreline management, environmental review procedures, and requirements.
- Site planning principles and methods.
- Laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
- Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
- Operation of personal computers, including word processing and related software, and permit tracking systems.
Skill In:
- Using public engagement systems, tools and processes.
- Using public engagement tactics, practices, techniques, and principles to support public engagement initiatives and events.
- Project management in an individual or group environment.
- Interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relations with various stakeholders including the public, elected officials and senior management.
- Using GIS systems.
- Coordinating and facilitating meeting and hearings.
- Communicating complex, sensitive, or controversial information on planning policies and procedures in a diplomatic manner.
- Applying planning principles and practices to specific problems and formulate recommendations.
- Dealing with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
- Systematically gathering, organizing, and analyzing data.
- Organization and time management with the ability to prioritize and coordinate work.
Ability to:
- Build consensus, generate common understanding and create a shared vision in an environment of diverse stakeholders and interests.
- Analyze and synthesize engagement results to create a workable plan of action.
- Independently ensure compliance with planning requirements in a consistent and equal manner to enforce the “intent” of the requirement or regulation; i.e., to achieve attractive and quality development that is in the public interest, demonstrate flexibility, and the ability to identify or be open to creative solutions where appropriate.
- Perform complex professional planning work with a minimum of supervision and make independent investigation of assigned cases and issues.
- Conduct and analyze planning studies and present the findings in an understandable manner.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
- Make oral presentations of staff recommendations.
- Manage a varied workload.
- Accurately interpret and explain development regulations.
- Exercise good judgment in determining when issues require involvement of supervisors.
- Work under pressure and meet established deadlines.
- Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of the work.
- Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
- Regularly take initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies.
