Salary: $54,705.36 – $73,816.56 Annually
Location: Public Works Building 1026 W Broadway Spokane, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Building and Planning
Job Number: 22-00202

Learn more about this position and apply today on Spokane County’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

Why Join Our Team as a Principal Planner?

Who May Apply:

This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the Master Contract (for a minimum of 6 months) submitting applications between 06/27/2022 and 07/04/2022. First consideration will be given to applicants working in Building and Planning in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA); second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to applicants covered by the Master Contract CBA; fourth consideration will be given to all other applicants.

Total Compensation:

  • $65,950 – $88,989 Annually

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee’s enrollment choices. 

NOTE: THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL UP TO TWO (2) VACANCIES.

Examples of Duties:

  • Supervises the administration of and participates in line production work in areas of special programs, subdivisions, zoning, long range planning, and office and administrative support coordination by implementing program objectives, ensuring the technical accuracy of work performed and interpreting and applying legal and professional guidelines to the work area assigned.
  • Directs lower-level planners within the division in the adoption of land use plans and amendments, zoning ordinances and amendments, subdivision ordinances and amendments and other land use plans/ordinances and amendments.
  • Provides coordination and oversight of multijurisdictional agencies in administrative and legislative actions. Independently represents the Department before regional bodies, elected officials and other commissions and committees. Serves as Department representative in planning/permitting activities that may be controversial and politically charged.
  • Supervises the administration of and participates in the review of current planning/permitting activities related to land subdivisions, residential and commercial permits, urban design, concurrency for facilities and services, conditional uses, critical areas, transportation, shorelines and interlocal agreements. Makes administration determinations pursuant to adopted regulations.
  • Develops methods, and directs and participates in the compilation and analysis of planning data and research related to the development of the County’s Comprehensive
  • Plan to include population, economic and land use trends, housing conditions, etc. Participates in the development of departmental policy.
  • Develops and implements capital facilities plans including transportation, water and sewer utilities, parks, schools and other services and facilities.
  • Administers the State Environmental Policy Act as it relates to planning, including designing and authoring environmental impact statements and developing and negotiating mitigation measures. Amends the County’s environmental ordinance as necessary.
  • Provides regional planning oversight related to Countywide Planning Policies and the Steering Committee of Elected Officials including amendments, interlocal agreements and staffing duties.
  • Designs and implements regional planning programs related to the Growth Management Act including urban growth area updates, land quantity and population capacity analysis, level of service analysis and environmental studies.
  • Monitors the land use and regulatory environment and develops programs and plans to enhance economic development within the County. Monitors changes to state laws and evaluates their potential impacts to the County.
  • Reviews and prepares recommendations on current and long-range planning problems and opportunities. Supervises studies on rezoning, development coding, population forecasts, growth management, economic development and annexation proposals.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with supervisors, agencies, individuals and department employees.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Training & Experience:

  • A Masters degree in planning or related field and two years of journey level planning experience

OR

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field and four years of journey level planning or related experience.

License:

  • Positions may require a valid Washington state driver’s license.

Selection Factors:

Considerable knowledge of:

  • Modern comprehensive and current planning laws, ordinances, regulations principles and practices.
  • Research and data collection methods and procedures as related to planning.
  • Mapping and charting techniques.
  • Citizen involvement principles and techniques.
  • Related computer technology and software.

Ability to:

  • Gather, evaluate and document technical planning data.
  • Read, interpret and apply legal documents and descriptions.
  • Independently organize projects, delegate responsibility and coordinate a planning team effort under deadlines.
  • Sustain a high degree of concentration, logical reasoning or creative thought.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Skilled in:

  • Providing formal presentations to large groups in a public meeting framework.