Salary: $60,156.00 – $78,900.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Project (limited duration)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Commerce
Job Number: 2022-13102
Closing: 10/17/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more and apply today at Department of Commerce’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

This Senior Planner position works with governmental and private sector partners to administer the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Estuary Program (NEP) work under the Puget Sound Partnership inter-agency contractual agreements with Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources or other inter-agency agreement to implement the Puget Sound Action Agenda (Action Agenda) to protect and restore Puget Sound. This includes project work with Strategic Initiative Teams, local governments and stakeholders to manage growth to prevent stormwater pollution, facilitate growth and re-development inside urban centers, restore and protect sensitive watersheds, habitats, and preserve working farm and forest lands. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance to local governments by implementing workplans of the Strategic Initiative Teams, and through technical and financial assistance to grantees receiving NEP grant funds. In addition, this position will assume one or more GMA related technical specialties and provide assistance related to the specialty to other GMS planners and counties and cities.  This position requires a strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act and Shoreline Management Act. 

The Local Governmenat Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local governments and community-based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. It also provides grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur over the next 60 days.

Duties:

  • Analyze, review and provide technical assistance on projects and workplans associated with the Puget Sound NEP, as needed 
  • Provide support to the Strategic Initiative Leads (SILs) to implement the workplans approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, including providing direct technical assistance to grantees and other local governments and organizations on NEP actions consistent with recovery of the Puget Sound. 
  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with SILs and other state agencies. 
  • Advise Commerce about current growth management issues in assigned region. 
  • Track local governments progress in meeting the requirements of the GMA.
  • Analyze, review and provide technical assistance on comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances and development regulations in assigned jurisdictions as needed.
  • Determine need and provide appropriate technical assistance to assigned jurisdictions.
  • Develop and maintain an ongoing relationship with staff in assigned jurisdictions.
  • Assist program coordinators in the coordination of GMA Short Courses, Planners Forums or other conferences, meetings and training opportunities in assigned jurisdictions.
  • Travel to meetings in assigned jurisdictions as needed.
  • Analyze, review and provide technical assistance on comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances and development regulations in assigned jurisdictions as needed.
  • Serve as the GMS unit’s subject matter expert on one or more GMA related specialties. Examples of GMA subject matter specialties include, rural lands, transportation, critical areas, resource lands, urban growth areas, housing, capital facilities, climate change, economic development, buildable lands, and local project review and permitting.
  • Independently determine jurisdictional needs then provide appropriate technical assistance concerning their comprehensive plans and development regulations.
  • Determine need and provide appropriate technical assistance to Washington counties, cities, and other stakeholders on issues involving the assigned technical specialty.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from a program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, and three years of professional experience with local government planning and/or environmental laws and rules including the Growth Management Act, or
  • Bachelor’s degree in a field closely related to planning and four years of professional experience with local government planning and/or environmental laws and rules including the Growth Management Act, or
  • Master’s degree in a field closely related to planning and three years of professional experience with local government planning and/or environmental laws and rules including the Growth Management Act, or
  • Master’s Degree in urban and regional planning from a program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, or closely related field and two years of professional experience with local government planning and/or environmental laws and rules including the Growth Management Act.

OR

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Experience with Washington state planning and plan implementation procedures.
  • Specialized training or experience related to a GMA technical specialty.
  • Experience with the National Estuary Program, Puget Sound Partnership, or Puget Sound ecosystem recovery.
  • Experience with administration of state or federal grants for planning.
  • Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or ability to obtain AICP certification within two years of appointment.

Supplemental Information

I want to work for Commerce! How do I apply? 

To be considered for this position the following are needed:
  

  • A complete and detailed online application
  • A letter of interest (enter online);
  • At least three professional references (enter online).

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement 

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Lindsey Henderson at 360-725-2652 or Lindsey.Henderson@Commerce.wa.gov. 

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) , state employees must be fully vaccinated prior to your first day of employment.  Your vaccine status will be verified prior to an offer of employment.  Please reach out to Human Resources Specialist Jimmie Wimberly at jimmie.wimberly@commerce.wa.gov if you need information on medical or religious accommodation. 
Who we are:

At Commerce, we’re a little different. But for you, it might just be the perfect fit.  We’re a state agency but operate like a business with the understanding we need to know our customer’s needs to fulfill them.  Our Olympia offices are open Monday through Friday (flexible schedules are available). Our parking is free and many of our employees bike year round.  

Washington State offers commuting programs, including free, subsidized and reduced public transportation incentives.  There are approximately 450 employees in our agency. We are committed to our work and value balance in our personal lives. We hire people for a position and encourage them to train for growth opportunities.

If this sounds like a good fit for you and you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply today!

What we do:

We are the lead state agency charged with strengthening communities.  We administer a diverse portfolio of programs and services, and we support several state boards and commissions.

Our key customers include businesses, local governments and community-based organizations. We also play the crucial role of convening numerous local, state, regional and federal partners and stakeholders, public and private. Together we work to support the Governor’s priorities and achieve shared goals and objectives for the citizens of Washington.

Work From Anywhere…
This position may be located remote within Washington state; however, there is an expectation of commute to the Olympia office to attend regularly scheduled meetings, yet to be determined. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction while observing social distancing. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected. When approved to return, the incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance, including telework and reporting to the Olympia, Washington duty station for work activities, if needed.  

Where We Work:

Commerce’s main office is located in Olympia; however, we also have locations in downtown Seattle and Spokane.

Olympia:

As the state’s capitol, Olympia is located off Interstate 5 at the south end of the Puget Sound roughly half-way between Seattle and Portland, and less than a two-hour drive to the coast, temperate rainforest, mountains, urban city, or farmlands.  With year-round art festivals, parades, theater shows, concerts, and community events, Olympia and its surrounding cities have something for everyone. For parents, it boasts some of the best schools in the nation and the renowned HandsOn Children’s Museum.  Home to two universities (The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s University), Olympia residents also have the opportunity to pursue a degree while working!

Spokane

Spokane is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest and is the second most populous city in Washington. The Spokane River runs through the city and beautiful Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. An array of enjoyable outdoor activities are right out our back door, including ski resorts, white-water rafting, camping areas, hiking trails, lakes, and the Centennial trail. Amazed by the arts?  Show some love to your artistic side with a trip to the Spokane Region.  Broadway performances, intriguing art galleries, world-class museums and powerful stage performances are waiting to be discovered.

Seattle

Being surrounded by greenery year-round has earned the Seattle the nickname of the Emerald City. Seattle is an exciting urban city surrounded by unmatched natural beauty with a wide variety of outdoor attractions within the city such as Discovery Park and Olympic Sculpture Park. Feel like getting away from the city? Seattle is centrally located surrounded by the Puget Sound and miles of hiking trails within driving distance. Seattle is home to a variety of attractions to include the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, and historic Pioneer Square. Art and Culture more your style? Seattle is home to more than 100 theater companies, the Seattle Symphony, as well as museums and galleries. Sports enthusiast? Seattle is home to professional football, soccer and baseball teams as well as a variety of collegiate sports to choose from.

Additional Information:

The Washington State Department of Commerce complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.