Salary: $4,745.87 – $5,694.00 Monthly
Location: City Hall – 129 N. 2nd St. Yakima, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Community Development
Job Number: 23-00012
Closing: 3/27/2023 4:00 PM Pacific

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

Job Overview & Minimum Class Requirements:

The City of Yakima Planning Division is seeking a motivated professional to join our team. At a population of nearly 100,000 residents, Yakima continues to grow. Apply today and be part of Yakima’s future development!

Benefit Package:

The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
  • FREE healthcare clinic!
  • WA State PERS pension plan
  • 1% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan
  • Leave accruals:
    1. Vacation – Starting at 7.67 hours/month
    2. Sick – 8 hours/month
    3. Personal holiday – 2 days
    4. Observed holiday – 11 holidays
  • Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay
  • Life Insurance
  • Much more!

The pay range listed for this position is establish through the City of Yakima’s Master Pay Ordinance in accordance with the Municipal Code and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.  New employees generally start at step A with progression through the steps based on merit and successful performance evaluation.  Click here to view the Master Pay Ordinance. (Download PDF reader)

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Architecture or a related field, plus three (3) years’ professional land use planning experience.
  • A Master’s Degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional planning experience.
  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred.

Licenses, Registrations, and/or Certifications:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
  • Obtain and maintain a First Aid/CPR card within six (6) months of employment.

Job Summary:

Under general direction, performs complex and highly responsible professional current and long-range planning assignments requiring a thorough knowledge of zoning, subdivision and site planning activities and their relationship to planning principles. Incumbents conduct research and analysis of a variety of planning issues such as housing, population projection, land use, zoning, annexations, environmental impact, transportation, comprehensive planning and others; preparation of graphics, maps and reports; and make presentations in various public forums. Work is performed with considerable latitude for use of independent judgment and is reviewed through public comment, results achieved, direct observation, conferences and formal performance evaluations.

Essential Functions:

Researches federal, state and local statutes, and public records. Gathers pertinent data and solicits public input related to specialized assignments in areas such as policy development, housing, population projections, land use and development, zoning, City utility extensions, annexations, environmental considerations, transportation, urban design, legislation road and easement vacations, comprehensive plan amendments, and/or other related subjects.  

Receives broadly defined assignments and assists in problem identification; development of goals and objectives; determines primary and secondary data requirements; develops work programs; performs expansive and detailed research, data gathering and analysis; prepares graphics and maps; and prepares final products, staff reports, or decisions.  May be responsible for multiple concurrent projects and be designated as lead on a particular project.  

Attends public hearings, community meetings, City Council meetings, and committee meetings and presents information in areas of expertise during regular working hours or during evenings/weekends. Makes formal presentations orally and in writing.  Presents information to other professionals, government officials, businesses, community groups, residents, and others.

Provides advanced technical and planning assistance and assistance to customers; reviews applications related to planning processes and issues to ensure compliance with permit application processes.  Responds to customer inquiries regarding planning processes, zoning, timetables, and related rules, regulations and policies efficiently and effectively with courtesy and respect. Provides assistance, guidance, and/or training to Assistant Planners as appropriate and necessary. 

Contributes to the effective administration of City government by fostering an attitude among staff that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts, productive time management, and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

Note: The significant difference between the Assistant Planner and Associate Planner is the complexity, responsibility and impact of assignments on the City and community.

Requires regular and reliable attendance.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Major Worker Characteristics:

Knowledge of:  the principles and practices of urban planning; community development; housing and neighborhood conservation; urban economics; political science; architecture; landscape architecture; environmental regulations; land use planning and growth management; or other relevant fields.  Knowledge of :  federal and state guidelines, Growth Management Act; governmental processes; economics, government finance; land development processes; environmental processes; techniques of work program design and scheduling; and methods of techniques of community involvement.

Knowledge of federal, state and city laws and ordinances, and City of Yakima policies and procedures. Knowledge of practices and principles of work flow and systems analysis; record keeping systems, processes, and practices; municipal records retention procedures, and techniques. Demonstrates knowledge and sound judgement with regard to public disclosure, and confidentiality standards. 

GIS proficiency and strong working knowledge of: computer software systems; databases; industry applications; Microsoft Office Suite including Excel; report writing tools; and office equipment; and professional office procedures and practices. and Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer, fax machine, copy machine, telephone etc.

Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of complex and/or technical written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to managers, staff, City Council, government officials, and members of the public. 

Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, members of the public, representing diverse education and backgrounds, and with officials at all levels of government utilizing well-developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English including, but not limited to: correct grammar, vocabulary, letter composition, editing, spelling, and punctuation. Must be able to respond in a diplomatic and confident manner to upset individuals.

Ability to negotiate and clearly and concisely present complex information in both written and verbal formats. Must possess the ability to make informative and persuasive presentations to individuals and groups, conduct public meetings, and participate in public forums. Must routinely and regularly maintain confidentiality and discretion through all forms of communication.

Ability to perform a variety of mathematical computations with ability to read, interpret and analyze complex and technical documents and to translate analysis into recommendations or reports.  Ability to read, research, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to:  perform technical review of projects and development permit applications; apply policies and codes to zoning, architecture and site design, housing and other issues; collect, organize and analyze numerical and qualitative data to support recommendations; think conceptually; observe and evaluate trends; analyze complex data; draw logical conclusions; make sound decisions; prepare reports and findings and make recommendations.  

Ability to:  perform research and recommend revisions to regulations and/or policies as solutions to difficult community planning problems; assist with the maintenance of various plans and ordinances of the City related to Community Development interest. Ability to develop, present and gain acceptance for short and long-range programs and budgets.  Must be able to locate grant resources and prepare grant proposals for projects. 

Ability to:  effectively utilize GIS; perform field investigations and gather, analyze, interpret, evaluate and report on various land use and land and community characteristic data related to developmental proposals; coordinates with other City departments and governmental agencies to ensure their input is incorporated into reports, plans, and projects; work effectively with others.  Ability to work independently with self-direction and minimal direction or oversight; maintain sustained attention to detail, formulate goals, and work under timeline pressures; prioritize and assign workloads; manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines. Excellent analytical and organizational skills are essential. Must possess ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and demands.

Ability to establish, facilitate, and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, community and special interest groups/committees, government agencies, builders, developers, property owners and other members of the public; train, lead, organize, and assist with the work of subordinates; consistently and continually demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect to individuals, groups and organizations representing a wide diversity of ethnicities, cultures, opinions. Ability to positively receive feedback and take direction is essential.

Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team and adhere to the department’s values including, but not limited to customer focused, teamwork, professionalism, positive communication, and accountability in a punctual, regular and reliable manner.

Ability to maintain annual training requirements of the position, including but not limited to City mandatory training requirements. Ability to work extended hours as needed to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position.

Physical Demands:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer terminal for extended periods of time or while standing for a period of time. Frequently needs to move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constant use of both hands in reaching/handling/ grasping/keyboarding and other fine motor skill manipulations, while performing duties operating on computers and other machinery. Occasional heavy work includes lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds. Occasionally ascends/descends stairs and ladders or walking on uneven terrain while maintaining balance. Constant use of all senses including feeling/talking/hearing/seeing while performing duties and while communicating with co-workers, general public and completing all tasks as assigned. Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory to learn and remember simple to complex policies and procedures. May work, in remote locations or in noisy work area.  May work outside with all weather extremes, be exposed to pollen and dust, and will be required to wear safety protective gear when necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Unusual Working Conditions:

Work in this classification requires attendance at evening, night and weekend meetings and frequent extended hours.  Exposed to unhappy, angry or hostile individuals and groups. Frequent work under rigid deadlines with multiple assignments.