Pay Range: $26.92 – $35.48 per hour (C41 Step 1-14)
Hiring Range: $26.92 – $27.50 per hour (C41 Step 1-2 DOQ)
Job Closing Date: January 23, 2023

Learn more about this position and apply today at Yakima County’s Government Jobs page.

Our Mission:

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

  • Integrity
  • Common Sense
  • Innovation
  • Accountability

Position Data: Planner-H, Regular, Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Job Overview:

There is one opening with the Yakima County Public Services-Planning Division. This position provides professional planning and technical assistance to the general public and those applying for development projects; reviews projects for compliance with adopted comprehensive plans, policies and regulations; develops comprehensive plans, policies and regulatory options for consideration by managers; participates in special studies and public education efforts related to land use, environmental and natural resource planning issues.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Corrections)

Essential Duties:

  • Researches and performs analysis on critical areas/shorelines, SEPA, subdivision, zoning and other development projects or assignments; develops or uses GIS coverages for project assignments; develops comprehensive plans, policies and regulatory options for consideration by managers; writes analyses based on research; and prepares decisions and staff recommendations based on analyses to be approved by department or project team management.
  • Provides policy and technical assistance to the public and other agencies regarding plans, ordinances, standards, programs, statutes and administrative codes that govern land development.
  • Performs or coordinates activities related to planning, data gathering, and analysis for Planning department, multi-disciplinary teams or inter-governmental programs and project reviews; receives, organizes, and distributes information; prepares or coordinates program writing assignments including reports and/or newsletter articles; and trouble-shoots program issues.
  • Determines completeness of development applications and prepares notices to the public and affected agencies.  Assists Senior Planners and managers in the review of development projects, which includes identifying issues, evaluating needs and conducting environmental review.
  • Facilitates or participates in meetings, group discussions, forums and open houses which includes presenting technical information through reports, maps, graphics, news releases and speaking before the public and the media.
  • Other duties required including special projects such as reviewing and commenting on agency proposals and proposed changes to development ordinances.

Experience and Training:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Natural Resources Management, Geography, Environmental Sciences, or related field AND one (1) year of planning experience including related internships.
  • Masters’ Degree may substitute for experience.

Required:

  • Valid WA State Driver’s License at time of appointment
  • Successful completion of a General Employment Verification

Preferred:

  • Ability to speak and understand Spanish
  • Experience working with WA State land use and environmental law

Benefits included in position:

  • Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave

Note: This position is a Yakima County Public Services Department Clerical, Technical & Professional Employees Group Bargaining Unit Position.

Equipment Used:

  • GIS workstation
  • PC and laptop
  • GPS unit
  • Calculator
  • Phone and other office equipment
  • Motor vehicle

Working Conditions:

This position is rated as Medium Work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects or work out in the field.

Environment: travel, field work, and may be exposed to hostile / angry individuals; work outside of standard business hours and locations.

Physical Demands: carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, standing, walking, climbing, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands: ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

  • Principles and practices of local government planning;
  • Structure and form of plans, laws and ordinances involved in planning, environmental and natural resource management;
  • Terminology, laws, rules, and regulations related to public planning;
  • Natural systems functions and field methods inventory work methods;
  • Fundamental mathematics and statistical methods;
  • Applicable federal, state and local planning policies, laws, regulations, ordinances, codes principles and practices related to land development; State and local land use planning laws related to area of assignment;
  • Research and analytical methods for planning projects including scientific methods and field practices for gathering data;
  • Principles of site impact analysis for development projects;
  • Principles of geography and geomorphology, cartography;
  • Presentation and meeting facilitation including use of GIS and other technology for displaying, analyzing and evaluating research data;
  • U.S. Census Geography, survey methods, and/or legal descriptions;
  • Principles of site impact analysis for development projects; and
  • Customer service techniques and team building concepts.

Skills (and Abilities):

  • Using personal computers, GIS work stations, laptops, GPS units e-mail, internet and related software applications, operating basic office equipment, scanners, plotters; public address systems and audio-visual presentation equipment;
  • Researching, gathering, organizing and analyzing statistics and other information from a variety of sources and media and writing reports;
  • Interpreting and applying complex and inter-related laws, codes and legislation;
  • Collecting, organizing and maintaining case notes of progress and compliance;
  • Organizing, evaluating, preparing and presenting effective reports, maps and graphics using GIS, analytical software and statistical methods;
  • Giving presentations and facilitating meetings and events;
  • Complying with laws, codes, ordinances and regulations;
  • Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with County and other officials, at all organizational levels and with the public; and
  • Effective oral and written communications to accurately exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER” – Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision:

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.

About Us:

Yakima County is one of the largest employers with over 1,000 employees providing services in all areas of law and justice, corrections, administration, public services and social services.  Work locations are throughout the Valley and vary based on department.  Check out the County’s website at www.yakimacounty.us for more information.

Benefits:

Eligibility for benefits are dependent upon Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and if your position type is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

  • Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage
  • Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
  • Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
  • Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave

Contact Yakima County Human Resources for more information on the specific benefits offered.

About the Area:

Located in Central Washington, Yakima County is large (4,200 square miles) and diverse.  Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons. Yakima County is ranked first in the state in agricultural production, and is one of the top five areas in the nation in production of specialty crops.  Irrigated farmlands and rolling foothills provide a backdrop to the nearby Cascade Mountains. Around 70 percent of the County’s 226,000 residents live in its 14 cities, towns and urban growth areas.  The unique blend of rural and urban lifestyle choices offers a quality of living unsurpassed in the Northwest. Learn more at www.visityakima.com

Yakima County Sheriff’s Department:

Looking for an exciting career with the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department?

To apply as a Lateral Deputy Sheriff. Click Here

To apply as an Entry Level Deputy Sheriff or a Law Enforcement Dispatcher, you must go through Public Safety Testing.