Salary: See Position Description
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 1913-0523
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Opening Date: 05/12/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

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

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing support with an emphasis on project management and/or technical specialist in geology, hydrogeology, biology, or wetland science.  Takes the lead in the development review process for projects that require the administration and interpretation of zoning, Critical Area Ordinance, Shoreline Management Master Program, Forest Practices, and the State Environmental Policy Act.  Provides technical assistance to the Long-Range Planning staff during the development and implementation of new policies and regulations.

  • Salary upon hire is  $34.33 to $36.78 per hour (steps 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.
  • Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 8 (top step is $43.68/hr.). The Senior Planner is Range 16 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.
  • Reviews and approves the technical work of consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as assigned.  
  • Communicates and interacts with elected officials and administrators of public agencies/departments and executives of private organizations, at the request and on behalf of the Senior Planner/Team Supervisor, Director, or Assistant Director, to analyze, evaluate, resolve, and educate others on public policy issues and land use regulations.
  • 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.
  • May establish and prepare methodologies for data collection, analysis, and studies related to land use, transportation, growth management, community development, environmental impacts, and land use proposals/projects.
  • May conduct data collection and processing to facilitate a consistent and comprehensive information system.
  • Conducts investigation, analysis, and preparation of documents for public policy issues, community planning, and development.
  • Work product is subject to quality control review by the Senior Planner/Team Supervisor, Director, and Assistant Director.

Supervisory:

None.

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 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. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning, geology, hydrology, soil science, botany, ecology, biology, resource management, environmental science, or related field and 10 years of professional planning experience; or
  • Master’s degree in planning, geology, hydrology, soil science, botany, ecology, biology, resource management, environmental science, or related field and 8 years of professional planning experience; or
  • Certification as AICP Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), or AICP Certified Environmental Planner may substitute for some years of professional planning experience.

Requires Knowledge of:

  • Public policy formation and analysis, governmental processes, and public and private sector economics, in general, and
  • Planning purpose and functions involved with growth management, development codes, land use, transportation, shoreline and coastal management programs, capital facilities, environmental and community development, and
  • Conflict management skills, and
  • Project/consultant management skills, and
  • Computer operations, applications, and general office equipment skills, and
  • Fundamental knowledge of wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, geologic and hydrogeological processes, including techniques and skills to conduct and evaluate technical site assessments addressing functions and values, impacts analysis, and necessary mitigation measures

Requires the Ability to:

  • Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to establish and maintain good working relationships with County Commissioners, the Planning Commission, the Hearing Examiner, officials of other jurisdictions, project applicants or proponents, Department employees and other professionals, consultants, citizen groups, the general public, and other agencies and departments.
  • 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 code to policymakers and the general public.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

One or more of the following certifications/licenses are preferred: Washington State Hydrogeologist License, Washington State Professional Geologist, AICP CEP, or PWS.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. High level of analytical ability, calculation of dimensional requirements, analyzing site plan and building measurements, ability to multitask. Occasionally, night meetings may be required.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazards may be present during the 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.