Salary: $60,156.00 – $78,900.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Commerce
Job Number: 2022-12827
Closing: 10/17/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

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

Job Description:

At the Department of Commerce (Commerce), we are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities, we cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work. Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and Tribes to strengthen communities. Commerce’s diverse portfolio of more than 150 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, public entities, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of local governments and community-based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides access to state and federal resources through grants and loans to plan, develop and build needed infrastructure and capital facility projects across the state.

There are two Senior Planner (CS3) positions that will work within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit of LGD. Growth Management Services (GMS) is responsible for implementing the Growth Management Act and provides financial and technical assistance to assigned cities and counties as they conduct local planning activities.  GMS staff members also work on statewide policy related to land use.

The Senior Planner provides technical and financial assistance on growth management planning and implementation for housing to cities and counties. This position uses expertise in the principles, practices and techniques of land use and environmental laws and rules including the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the State Environmental Policy Act. This position will analyze proposed legislation related to GMA implementation, update and grants.

This posting may be used to fill other vacant positions within 60 days once position is filled.

Duties:

The Senior Planner (CS3) positions require a strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act. Here are some of the duties performed in this role.

Technical Assistance to Assigned Jurisdictions:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Technical Specialty Assistance:

  • Serve as the GMS unit’s subject matter expert on one or more GMA related specialties. Examples of GMA subject matter specialties include, transportation, urban growth areas, buildable lands, affordable housing, capital facilities, climate change, 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.

Managing Grants, Loans and Contracts:

  • Track and monitor the administration and implementation of GMS grants and the progress in meeting the requirements of the Growth Management Act.   Grants may include periodic updates, middle housing, transit oriented development, housing action plan and connecting housing to infrastructure (CHIP).  
  • Assist in developing, negotiating and monitoring financial packages for local governments, including reviewing statements of work (SOW) and deliverables to ensure work is commensurate with funds
  • Follow up to monitor progress related to grant implementation and provide additional technical assistance as needed, and when deliverables are submitted, that they are adequate.

Plan Review Support:

  • Analyze and review comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances and development regulations from counties and cities in Washington State in order to alleviate temporary plan review backlogs experienced by the GMS unit during periodic update cycles and at other times as needed.
  • Use independent, critical thinking to determine appropriate plan review comments and prepare letters or other communication and feedback to local governments on items reviewed.

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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with Washington state planning and plan implementation procedures.
  • Specialized training or experience related to a GMA technical specialty.
  • 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:

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

  • A complete and detailed online application
  • A Cover letter (enter online);
  • At least three (3) professional references (enter online).

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement 

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. For questions about this recruitment, please contact Jose Dominguez at 360-810-0182 or jose.dominguez@commerce.wa.gov.

Work From Anywhere in Washington State:

This position may be located anywhere within Washington state though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remote or have a hybrid schedule. However, it is anticipated that interviews for this position will be held using virtual videoconferencing. You will work with your supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance, including telework and reporting to a duty station for work activities, if needed.   

Important Notice

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. 

Additional Information:

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.