Salary $31.54 – $49.29 Hourly

Location Bellingham, WA 98226

Job Type Full-Time

Job Number P300/320 0824

Department Planning & Development Services

Opening Date 12/18/2024

Closing Date 1/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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The Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department is seeking to fill the position of Planner I/II (DOQ).

This position provides professional planning services to ensure growth and development occurs in a manner that addresses public health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for citizens of Whatcom County. This position will be assigned to work at the Permit Center front counter and provide excellent customer service to citizens seeking to submit building and land use permits and applications.

Essential Job Duties:

  • Reviews permit applications to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with legal standards and requirements.
  • Provides information to the public on departmental activities, answering questions related to building, zoning land use regulations and permit processes and requirements.
  • Organizes, coordinates and facilitates the planning and development process, as assigned.
  • Exercises independent judgment in analyzing problems, issues and situations. Works under general supervision.
  • Represents Whatcom County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities.

Initial area of assignment: Permit Center

Supervisor: Administrative Manager

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM

For more information, please review the following:   

This position may be filled as a Planner I or II depending on qualifications.  Consideration will be given to candidates not meeting one year of professional planning experience. Compensation for those not meeting the minimum qualifications will be reduced until the qualifications are met.  See Supplemental Information for more details.

PLEASE NOTE:  Due to the duties and nature of this position,  it is not eligible for telework assignments. This position requires working 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, in-person, in the Planning and Development Services office located at 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA.

Qualifications

PLANNER I:  Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, or a related field, AND one year of increasingly responsible, paid, professional experience.

PLANNER II:  Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Planning or a related field AND three years of increasingly responsible, paid, professional experience INCLUDING at least 2 years of professional experience in area of assignment with in the last 5 years.

  • A Master’s degree in a related field can be substituted for up to six months of experience.
  • Experience with permit tracking software, presentation software, geographical positioning systems and geographic information systems is preferred.
  • Knowledge of ecological systems similar to Whatcom County is preferred.
  • Knowledge of and experience working with local and state governments and agencies is preferred.

The ideal candidate will possess: 

  • Verifiable building permit and/or planning experience.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience working directly with the public in a customer service role.
  • A proven ability to provide excellent and timely customer service.

At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

Supplemental Information

Salary Range: 

  • Planner I:     MCBA – Range 160.0
    Anticipated Hiring Range:  $31.54 –  $34.05 per hour
  • Planner II:    MCBA – Range 180.0  
    Anticipated Hiring Range:  $34.27 – $36.96 per hour

For those not meeting the minimum qualifications for this position, the position would be paid at Range 150.0.  The anticipated salary placement would be at the entry rate which is $30.31 per hour. Once 1 year of experience was met, the incumbent would be paid at Range 160.0.  See link for full Salary Range. 

Hiring rate depends on qualifications. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range (posted above), subject to required approvals.This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). 

For more information about the Planning and Development Services Department, please see their website.