Salary: $59,488.00 – $71,489.60 Annually
Location: City Hall – 129 N. 2nd St. Yakima, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Community Development
Job Number: 23-00085
Closing: 4/26/2023 4:00 PM Pacific

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

Job Overview & Minimum Class Requirements:

The Planning Division needs an experienced long-range planner & project manager to assist in the development of Comprehensive Plan goals and the design of necessary programs. 

The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefits 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/bi-literate English/Spanish special pay
  • Life Insurance
  • Much more!

The pay range listed for this position is established 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 progress through the steps based on merit and successful performance evaluation.  Click here to view the Master Pay Ordinance. (Download PDF reader)

Minimum Requirements:

  • A Bachelor Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Architecture, or a closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible and directly relevant planning experience are required.
  • Experience must include work as a project manager or lead in a planning project or program.
  • 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 Certificates:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Job Summary:

This position performs with considerable independence under limited direction and requires frequent contact with the City Council, boards and commissions, other City departments and divisions, and the general public. This position performs professional Urban/Land Use Planning work focusing on both current and long-range planning. In addition, the Senior Planner may be responsible for coordinating the activities of the planning staff. The position performs other complex planning work to support the Supervising Planner and Division Manager as required.  

Essential Functions:

Performs lead role (Project Management) for the preparation, review, and adoption of:

  • Zoning Ordinance Amendments
  • Subdivision Ordinance Amendments
  • Development Standards and Regulations
  • Neighborhood and Sub-area Plans
  • Special Studies and Reports
  • Responsible for the preparation of special studies and detailed reports to the management staff, boards and commissions, and the City Council on planning policy issues and related matters.
  • Attends public hearings, community meetings, City Council meetings, and committee meetings and presents information 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 planning staff support and direction to the Yakima Planning Commission.
  • Provides assistance, guidance, direction, training, and constructive feedback to subordinate planning staff on other issues and topics as assigned and/or appropriate.

Short-Range:

  • May assign files to planners and assists in processing permit applications; review and investigates applications for annexation, subdivision, right-of-way vacation, zoning, and city utility extensions.
  • Provides policy guidance on staff recommendations.
  • Conducts thorough research, and prepares graphics, maps, reports, and recommendations for presentation to various government officials.
  • Works with other governmental agencies and city departments in a support role. Provides advanced technical planning assistance to the public on request and assists subordinate planning staff respond to difficult questions, issues, or situations.
  • Answers planning questions posed by the general public efficiently and effectively with courtesy and respect.

Long-Range:

  • Assists in problem identification and development of Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives.  Designs programs necessary to meet assigned planning objectives.
  • Develops methodology; performs in-depth research, and data gathering and applies complex statistical techniques.
  • Performs a lead role in zoning and subdivision amendments and other regulatory programs.
  • May coordinate land use programs.
  • Researches grant opportunities.
  • Writes planning-related grant applications; develops RFP/RFQ, and contract documents for consultants when appropriate.
  • Manages grant programs/projects through to completion.
  • 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.
  • Requires regular and reliable attendance.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Major Worker Characteristics:

  • Extensive knowledge of modern urban planning principles and practices; understanding of land use concepts and the impact of sociological, demographic, economic, environmental, and other factors influencing land use and development.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and city laws and ordinances, and City of Yakima policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of best principles and techniques of supervision and leadership; practices and principles of workflow and systems analysis; record-keeping systems, processes, and practices; municipal records retention procedures, and techniques.
  • Demonstrates knowledge and sound judgment with regard to public disclosure, and confidentiality standards.
  • GIS proficiency and advanced knowledge of computer software systems; databases; industry applications; Microsoft Office Suite including Excel; report writing tools; office equipment; and professional office procedures and practices. and Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to computers, fax machines, copy machines, telephones, etc.
  • Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of complex and/or technical written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals with differing technological expertise, including but not limited to managers, staff, City Council, government officials, and members of the public. 
  • Knowledge of project management principles and methods.
  • 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 the 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 a 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; gather, organize and analyze complex data; draw logical conclusions; make sound decisions; write and prepare reports and findings and make recommendations.  
  • Ability to perform comprehensive 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 interests.
  • Ability to develop, present and gain acceptance for short and long-range programs, policies, and budgets.
  • Must be able to locate/identify 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
  • Works 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 the 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 direct with the work of subordinates; evaluate personnel performance; provide constructive feedback to subordinates;
  • Develop and implement modern auditing and accountability methods, procedures, forms, and records
  • Facilitate and lead cohesive, positive, and highly productive work teams with a customer service focus.
  • Consistently and continually demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect to individuals, groups, and organizations representing a wide diversity of ethnicities, cultures, and opinions.
  • The 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 focus, 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 walks 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 and the 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 areas.
  • 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 essential job functions.

Unusual Working Conditions:

  • Work with the public and employees, some of whom may be irate, upset, or emotionally disturbed.  Frequent extension of the workday to meet deadlines.
  • May require occasional travel from site to site for attendance at meetings, including evening meetings.