Salary: $5,592.00 – $6,812.00 Monthly
Location: Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Department: Community Development
Job Number: 2022-00019
Closing: 6/5/2022 5:00 PM Pacific

Learn more about this position and apply today at the City of Tumwater’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

The City of Tumwater is located at the base of the Deschutes River, where the water cascades to its final destination at the southern tip of Puget Sound. The rugged Olympic Mountains rise in the distance and Mount Rainier seems close enough to touch on a clear day.

The vibrant mix of community-minded people and prosperous natural resources make Tumwater rich in history, community and opportunity. Tumwater is placed in the ancestral lands of the Coastal Salish peoples and near the homes of the Nisqually and Squaxin tribes.  The modern City was settled by founders George and Isabelle Bush and Michael and Elizabeth Simmons.

Our vision is to create a future that is people-oriented and highly livable, with a strong economy, dynamic places, vibrant neighborhoods, a healthy natural environment, diverse and engaged residents, and with a living connection to its history. Check out our city’s vision, mission and beliefs.

Safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and a sense of community pride make Tumwater a great place to live, work, and play.

The Opportunity

The position performs current and advance planning tasks as part of an interdisciplinary team.  Provides information to the public relating to state and federal laws and city ordinances, interpreting laws on a case-by-case basis, and preparing reports for policy and decision-making bodies.  The position may be assigned duties in the Planning Division and/or Permit Division.

Essential Job Duies:

  1. As primary land development information professional, assists all City departments and general public with land use proposals, including City land use permit processes and ordinances, zoning matters, preliminary land divisions, conditional uses, shoreline permits, variances, subdivision, and project review and pre-submission conferences; provides overall coordination of development projects.
  2. Oversees compliance with legal requirements involved in the current planning process; evaluates permit requests for compliance with governmental ordinances and policies and supports investigations of zoning code violations; and supports legal process for code violations.
  3. Reviews, evaluates, and implements land use and urban development policies, making recommendations for revision or alternate courses of action.
  4. May act as the designated SEPA Responsible Official as required by Washington State Law.
  5. Attends City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, Historic Preservation Commission, as required; acts as professional advisor on planning related matters; presents written, graphic, or oral reports and recommendations. [BM2] 
  6. Investigates, analyzes, and prepares documents on planning, community development, and other public policy issues.
  7. Prepares statistical reports using land use data as necessary. 
  8. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  1. Knowledge of modern land use planning principles and practices.
  2. Knowledge of land use plan implementation codes and the legal procedures and standards related to planning, development, and enforcement.
  3. Knowledge of environmental design principles and approaches for site planning, architectural, and landscape design.
  4. Knowledge of plan preparation and report writing.
  5. Ability to use statistical and policy analysis methods.
  6. Ability to interpret development codes and land use regulations.
  7. Ability to convey technical information in common terms, to enforce provisions of ordinances, rules, and regulations.
  8. Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations relating to land use planning.
  9. Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
  10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, applicants, and the public.
  11.  Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  12.  Ability to provide excellent customer service skills.
  13.  Knowledge of urban forestry principles and practices.
  14.  Working knowledge of Geographic Information System applications and their usage.

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Planning or related field.
  2. Four (4) years’ experience in public or private sector urban planning requiring the exercise of independent professional judgement.
  3. A Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or related field may substitute for two (2) years of relevant experience.

Training/Licenses/Certifications:

AICP Preferred.  A valid Washington State Driver’s license is required.

Supplemental Information

Contacts:

Contacts are design professionals, developers, builders, property owners, residents, and other City staff.

Supervision: 

Supervision is provided by the Permit Manager through general review and evaluation of program objectives and goals.

Accountability:

The Associate Planner is accountable for providing customers with accurate information regarding the City’s land use and other related ordinances on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions:

  1. Work is performed in an office with frequent interruptions and under the stress of competing requests and stringent timelines.
  2. Work may involve field inspections and require travel to various locations.
  3. Customer contacts may be difficult when dealing with code issues.

Physical Requirements:

Work is often performed in an office setting.

Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department. Other information (if any) specific to this position

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.

Please Note – In December 2021, the City of Tumwater adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy. This position will be required to be either fully vaccinated or submit weekly testing results as a condition of employment. For more information, please visit the City of Tumwater Employee Services webpage.