Type: Full Time
Salary/Pay Rate: $5,954-$7,100 per month/DOQ, plus benefits.

Learn more about this position and apply today at Skamania County’s website.

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Public Works Director the Assistant Planning Director serves as the department head for planning. This position is responsible for administering and performing land-use planning activities as defined in RCW Chapter 36.70 and 36.70A; to include community development projects and activities. Assists and serves as a resource to the Planning Commission, and performs substantial liaison and policy work with state and federal agencies, county officials, and the general public.

Essential Functions:

  • Provides planning and initiating strategies for the Planning Division’s performance. In the absence of the Director, authorizes vacation, sick leave, and overtime, signing and approving time sheets, staff training, and resolving complaints.
  • Directs, coordinates, and participates in the work of a land-use planner responsible for administering county ordinances dealing with subdivisions, short plats, mobile home parks, shoreline substantial developments, and other county development ordinances. Administers the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area ordinance.
  • Administers the County State Environmental Policy Act; reviews projects to determine if an environmental impact statement is required; coordinates with consultants responsible for preparing impact statements.
  • Attends Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment meetings; prepares meeting agendas; prepares and presents written and oral reports relating to development permits and land use planning; serves as official secretary to the commission.
  • Develops, coordinates, and updates the overall County land use and development guidelines/regulations.
  • Develops policy or changes to the comprehensive land use plan, county implementation of the Columbia River Gorge Management Plan, Shorelines Master Plan, and other development policies.
  • Coordinates activities of the Skamania Regional Planning Council on intergovernmental body and provides population statistics and census information for the County.
  • Works cooperatively with Planners to develop policies to implement adopted land use ordinances.
  • Handles a broad base of land use and other statewide issues that affect community development and land use policy.
  • Serves as a liaison for the County with local, state, and federal agencies, and the general public, in the development of land use policy and ordinances. Ensures that agencies land use and development policies affecting Skamania County understand and consider County needs.
  • Responds to or oversees the resolution of the most sensitive or complex inquiries, complaints, emergencies or requests for information from the public in a courteous manner. Emphasizes public accountability and a positive public service approach with staff. Identifies and addresses customer needs. Represents the County as spokesperson at public meetings.
  • Prepares and presents written and oral reports. Prepares news releases.
  • Responds to questions from the public regarding the comprehensive plan, State Environmental Policy Act, platting, zoning, mobile home parks, shoreline permits, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area regulations.

Peripheral Functions:

  • May testify as expert witness in court if required.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Considerable knowledge of land use and community development planning principles, practices, and legal requirements.
  • Considerable knowledge of socio-economic and legal implications of land use and community development planning.
  • Knowledge, understanding, and experience to implement modern management practices and principles.
  • Knowledge of effective leadership and decision-making skills.
  • Knowledge of organization and time management.
  • Demonstrated skill in performing research for a variety of situations and/or issues.
  • Skill in the assimilation and evaluation to obtain data from reports, studies and other correspondence.
  • Skill in comprehension and interpretation of subdivisions, short plats, and other laws and ordinances and how to uniformly apply laws and regulations to individual applications.
  • Skill in expressing ideas and conveying information effectively.
  • Ability to perform research for a variety of situations and/or issues.
  • Ability to effectively lead and make decisions.
  • Ability to understand and implement modern management practices and principles.
  • Ability to provide land use and community development planning principles, practices and legal requirements and know the socio-economic and legal impacts.
  • Ability to analytically assimilate and evaluate data obtained from reports, studies, and other correspondence.
  • Ability to use standard office equipment including software applications specific to the work performed including Microsoft Office and ArcGIS
  • Ability to develop effective land use and development policies.
  • Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret subdivisions, short plat, and other laws and ordinances, and to uniformly apply laws and regulations to individual applications.
  • Ability to express ideas and convey information effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to work with the public in a professional and courteous manner, even when the subject matter is controversial.
  • Ability to prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  • Ability to establish and maintain an effective and professional working relationship with County officials and employees, state and federal agencies, congressional delegations, Planning Commission, and the general public.

Education & Experience:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development Planning or a related field is required.
  • AICP certification and four (4) years of experience in land use planning, community development or a related field is required.
  • Experience within the public sector is highly preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Working Conditions:

  • Work is performed approximately 80% in an office environment and approximately 20% performing site visits and/or attending meetings.
  • Attendance at evening meetings is required.

Physical Requirements:

  • The duties of the above position require sitting, walking, stooping, crawling, bending, reaching, pulling, twisting, and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Must be able to traverse all types of terrain when performing site visits/inspections.
  • Requires finger dexterity, sense of touch, gripping with fingers and hands; ability to see, hear voice conversation, and to speak.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skills 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 work load.

It is the policy of Skamania County to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, physical/mental disability creed, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, guide dog or service animal, and genetic information or any other protected status under federal or state statue.