Salary: See Position Description
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 19130-1123
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Closing Date: 12/10/2023 @ 5:00 PM Pacific

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

Job Summary:

NOTE: The department is recruiting for a qualified Senior Planner for this posting.

Skagit County Planning and Development Services is looking for an enthusiastic land use planner (urban or regional planner) to serve our long-range planning team. Skagit County is changing with the rest of the Puget Sound, and we are looking for a planner that can help the citizens of this County realize their development and natural resource goals.  The successful candidate will be hired into Assistant, Associate or Senior Planner levels, depending on their experience and education in the criteria below.  All applicants are required to provide a cover letter and answer supplemental questions to be considered for the positions.

The Assistant/Associate/Senior Planner group is designed as a progression promotion series in which employees may progress to the next professional level once: 

  • Eligibility requirements are met for the next level Planner position (education, experience, satisfactory evaluation).
  • Employees are recommended for advancement by the Department Head

Salary:

  • Salary upon hire is $42.20 to $45.22 per hour (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.
  • Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 8 (top step is $53.70/hr.). The Senior Planner is Range 19 of the PROTEC17 Union salary schedule. 

Essential Functions:

  • Coordinates the processing of a wide variety of challenging projects that require multi-disciplinary team review; functions as the primary point of contact on assigned development projects for the applicant, public, staff and/or decision makers; requests the assignment of appropriate multidisciplinary team members for assigned projects from department managers and ensures that appropriate levels and functions of staff are present at project meetings to make decisions; monitors project review timelines, seeks expertise outside the team as necessary, communicates when needed with project proponents/opponents, and serves to resolve procedural issues.
  • Communicates and interacts with elected officials, advisory boards, administrators of public agencies/departments and executives of private organizations, at the request and on behalf of the Director, to analyze, evaluate, resolve, and educate others on public policy issues and land use regulations.
  • Provides high level of customer service and represents the County as a spokesperson at various public meetings and events.
  • Provides assessments of projects and programs and makes recommendations regarding funding, organization, and staffing. 
  • Responsible for working with the Television Director to maintain and update the Community Development project websites.
  • Responds to public inquiries with information on public policy, comprehensive planning, development codes and land use regulations.
  • Advises, prepares, and presents reports and recommendations to the County Commissioners, Planning Commission, hearing examiner, committees, community groups, and private organizations regarding comprehensive planning, regulatory ordinances, and development proposals/projects.
  • Establishes methods for data collection, analysis, and studies related to land use, transportation, growth management, community development, environmental impacts, and land use proposals/projects.
  • Conducts investigation, analysis, field inspections, data collection and analysis, and preparation of documents for a variety of public policy issues related to Planning, including community planning and development, current planning, long range planning, and land use ordinances and codes.
  • Assists or manages with legislative projects relating to land use policy and development regulations.  Including but not limited to: Comprehensive Plan, Capital Facilities Plan, Countywide Planning Policies, Coordinated Water System Plan, transportation plans, Shoreline Management Program, and subarea plans.
  • Coordinate public meetings by scheduling, noticing, setting agendas, and presenting complex data and ideas in non-technical ways.
  • Prepares staff reports and recommendations addressing land use proposals.
  • Assists or manages scopes and reviews the technical work of consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as appropriate.
  • Manages or assists with digital and printed public outreach materials, including the development of graphics, maps, and charts.

Other Job Functions:

  • Attends conferences, seminars and other meetings as directed.  Provides quality customer service as the visible presence of Skagit County in the eyes of permit applicants supporting the projects, assisting applicants in understanding their legal options as determined by local and state law and codes and expediting project reviews for prompt processing and approval or denial as necessary.
  • May direct, manage, and/or mentor consultants or staff on certain projects.
  • May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Supervisory: None

Minimum Qualifications:

Assistant Planner:

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental science, geography, natural resource management, or related field. 
  • 3 years relevant experience.

Associate Planner:

  • Bachelor’s degree with specific area of study in planning, geography, natural resources, natural sciences, or environmental studies.
  • 3 years of experience in planning or related fields
  • 7 years of relevant experience

Senior Planner:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant experience
  • Master’s degree and 5 years professional planning experience
  • 12 years of relevant experience

Requires Knowledge of:

  • Broad basis in public policy formation and analysis, governmental processes, and public and private sector economics.
  • Planning purpose and functions involved with growth management, development codes, land use, transportation, shoreline and coastal management programs, capital facilities, environmental and community development.
  • Implementation of policies and codes through permitting.  Experience processing, reviewing, and approving administrative and quasi-judicial permits (building and land use).  
  • Public speaking and technical report writing skills. 
  • ArcGIS principles and applications.  
  • Project/consultant management skills.
  • Computer operations, applications, and general office equipment skills.

Requires the Ability to:

  • Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing and establish and maintain good working relationships with County Commissioners, the Planning Commission, various advisory Boards, the Hearing Examiner, officials of other jurisdictions, project applicants or proponents, Department employees and other professionals, consultants, citizen groups, the general public, other agencies and departments.
  • Plan, schedule, review and evaluate the work and performance of department staff and contracted consultants on a variety of Planning areas, which may include current planning, long range planning and natural resources.
  • Prepare and direct the preparation of reports, departmental materials and correspondence.
  • Use, understand, and interpret statutes, codes, and other planning-related subjects.
  • Comprehend and communicate complex policy and legal issues to policymakers and the general public.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license.
  • AICP or comparable professional certification or licensing preferred.

Supplemental Information:

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

  • Work is typically performed in an office environment. Work requires remaining seated for long periods of time. 
  • Some outdoor on-site review may be required. Occasional lifting, crawling, climbing, or walking on uneven or steep terrain. 
  • Night meetings are required. 

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.

About Skagit County:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. 

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.