Salary: $71,159.00 – $86,827.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Commerce
Job Number: 2022-16797
Closing: Continuous

Learn more about this position and apply on 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.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local government and community based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens.

The Tribal Coordination Manager (WMS1) works within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit of LGD. The Growth Management Services program is responsible for the Department of Commerce role as the lead agency for implementation of the Growth Management Act (GMA). The program provides technical and financial assistance to local governments to assist in the implementation of the GMA. The program also serves as the central coordinator of state agency implementation of the GMA.

Duties:

Direct Customer Service:

  • Serve as statewide policy lead on implementation of requirements for local government coordination with tribes on GMA planning and plan implementation.
  • Provide strategic technical guidance to planners and local elected officials on topics related to coordination of local government planning and tribal planning.
  • Provide strategic guidance on the consideration and inclusion of tribes in local government planning activities and in state agency implementation of the Growth Management Act.
  • Oversee tribal access to notices provided to Commerce through the Plan View data system. 
  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with tribal planners in Washington.
  • Provide training for tribal planners on the Growth Management Act.
  • Assist other program staff with outreach to tribal planners for projects within the unit work program.

Program Management/Implementation:

  • Lead the tribal planning mediation and dispute resolution process including management and oversite of the on-call dispute resolution contract.
  • As the agency’s GMA technical specialist on tribal planning, this position is responsible for developing agency policy in this subject area. A technical specialist maintains an in-depth knowledge of current practice in tribal planning, case law and other developments. During session, the tribal planning liaison drafts bill analyses and fiscal notes on bills related to the topic. 
  • Develop agency administrative rules under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) related to implementation of the GMA requirements related to local government/tribal planning.
  • Develop core guidance documents and other materials related to tribal planning coordination.
  • Develop and maintain sets of recommendations, good examples and best practices for intergovernmental agreements between tribes and local governments on planning and plan implementation issues.
  • Coordinate regularly with the Commerce Tribal Liaison, the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and other agencies to maintain consistency between the agency tribal planning work and the state’s overall relationship with tribes under the Centennial Accord and the Millennium Agreement.
  • Serve as the lead and resource for other staff in the unit on tribal planning and help assigned planners to engage with tribal planners within their assigned territory, or within their area of policy expertise.
  • Administer, review, and approve all GMA statement of work, financial packages, contracts and budgets related to GMA.
  • Implement actions from local governments by working with staff to ensure timely payments of vouchers.
  • Manage the GMS grant database, develop guidelines, policies, and technical and financial materials/packages to assist local governments’ compliance with the GMA including the Review and Evaluation (Buildable Lands) Program.

Qualifications:

Required Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning or closely related field (experience may substitute for education)

Required Experience:

  • Five years of experience as a senior level planner

OR

  • Master’s degree in urban and regional planning or closely related field and at least three years of experience as a senior level planner 

Required Competencies:

  • Knowledge of the Washington State Planning Enabling Act, Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Regulatory Reform Act, and other related laws; local land use planning practice; local and state governance; capital improvement planning; sustainable development principles; conflict resolution techniques; management principles and practices
  • Team building; oral and written communication; conflict resolution; working with a diverse client base; directing, motivating, training, coaching, and evaluating staff; interpreting and applying policies and regulations; strategic planning; project management; time management and balancing workload priorities; public presentations; leading work groups and conducting meetings

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies.

  • Master’s degree in urban and regional planning or related field
  • American Institute of Certified Planners certification
  • Experience as a tribal planner.

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).

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 Directive #22-13.1, 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.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity:

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.