Salary: $84,073.60 – $118,372.80 Annually
Location: Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: P1260-23A
Department: Planning & Development Services
Opening Date: 10/16/2023
Closing Date: 10/30/2023 5:00 PM Pacific

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

Job Description:

*** SPECIAL NOTE: This is a project position expected to end December 31, 2024, unless extended. ***

Are you a highly motivated person who is passionate about working with diverse community members to solve complex problems and building great communities? The City of Tacoma’s Planning & Development Services Department is looking for an experienced planner to join our team as a Senior Planner. This is the second level in the Planner Series, within the Current Planning section of the Department.

Under the general direction of the Principal Planner for Current Planning, the Senior Planner serves as a key member of the land use permitting team and works on a variety of complex permitting and policy projects with a focus on housing development. 

Senior Planners independently perform and lead professional level planning and assist in the formulation of departmental goals and objectives, interpret and prepare data for planning studies, reports and recommendations, and may supervise or lead professional or other staff members. Responsibilities include resolving complex planning and permitting issues that have broad potential impact and may involve competing interests, multiple clients, conflicting rules or practices, a range of possible solutions or other elements that contribute to complexity.

This Planner will be a member of the City’s current planning team and will be involved in day-to-day implementation of the City’s land use and other development codes. The work includes general customer service, inter-departmental service, and in-depth management of land use and development permits related to housing. It is expected that the incumbent will also participate in public outreach and policy development related to housing; evening and occasional weekend meetings are expected.

The Department:

The Planning & Development Service Department’s mission is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable, and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Department encompasses all aspects of building, land use, and site development. The Current Planning Division comprises land use, environmental, and plan review professionals who work with internal and external customers to implement the City’s policies and regulations through both discretionary and ministerial permitting. Our team works closely with other review professionals to ensure that quality development is permitted in a timely, clear, equitable manner.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of the City’s land use codes and environmental codes, as well as state and federal laws that inform our daily work. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience with, and a passion for, affordable residential development.

The candidate will need to work well with others in a collaborative team setting and have the ability to oversee highly visible and sometimes controversial projects effectively and sensitively. To effectively navigate in a complex organization, the candidate will possess strong interoffice and interagency relationship building and management skills, as well as a nuanced understanding of organizational decision-making and operation. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to a wide variety of planning topics, including Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) are needed to perform this role. A strong background in project management and plan review is desired. An understanding of public funding is also desirable.

Our Ideal Candidate will possess the following competencies:

  • Organized, self-starter with strong ability in the prioritization and management of projects and work tasks.
  • Ability to gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity, and build partnerships and maintain effective relationships with other local and regional agencies, the private design and development community, and the community at-large.
  • Ability to make high-level public presentations before the hearing examiner, elected officials, and the public.
  • Able to readily adapt to constantly changing and multiple business needs and projects, resulting in frequent re-prioritization of project tasks and timelines.
  • Excellent public speaking and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex processes in an understandable way.
  • Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to our organization and has an outstanding ability to relate to diverse audiences.

Essential Duties: 
The following are illustrative examples of the essential functions of the job. Depending on position/assignment, a Senior Planner typically:

  • Reviews residential and commercial building permits, pre-application requests, code enforcement violation notices and land-use discretionary applications.
  • Manages, coordinates and facilitates public meetings for land use permits.
  • Represents the city for applications on appeal to the Hearing Examiner or Superior Court.
  • Assists with improving GIS mapping tools.
  • Assists with and participates in community planning initiatives (e.g., Home in Tacoma, green building, open space, tiny homes).
  • Leads and coaches lower level staff.
  • Explains and interprets complex rules, policies and operating procedures
  • Develops solutions and/or recommendations
  • Coordinates work of unit with that of other areas in division, department, other departments or other agencies
  • Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings
  • Performs other work as assigned

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

Tacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Desired Qualifications (Training & Education):

  • Bachelor’s degree in planning, architecture, public administration, urban design, engineering or closely allied field and four (4) years of progressively responsible planning experience

     OR 
  • Master’s degree with two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning profession
  • Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications, and Legal Requirements:

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

  • Depending upon assignment a WA driver’s license may be required
  • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is desired but not required

Knowledge & Skills:

Technical Skills: Theory, principles and techniques of the planning profession and development process with an understanding of the interrelationships of land use, transportation, economy, environment, health, human services with plans and regulations; including one or more planning disciplines, such as land use, design, growth management or housing; federal, state and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to a wide variety of planning topics; technical research and analysis, report development, budget management, and City government organization, policies and procedures. Proficiency with computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, project management applications and GIS.

Consulting: Employ expertise, credibility, and effective partnering to help clients identify, evaluate, and resolve complex or sensitive issues, problems, and service needs. Identify resources and potential solutions that are practical and effective, understanding when, where and how to implement those options. Excel at helping the customer navigate through complex or sensitive issues, advising on best practices and important trends. Think and act proactively about service issues, following up to make sure desired outcomes are realized.

Analysis: Use information in clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions. Judge or infer appropriate responses to a set of information on the basis of clear guidelines or procedures. Form accurate conclusions regarding actions to be taken.

Workload Management: Effectively manage multiple, high-priority assignments or issues simultaneously and meet firm deadlines; effectively and sensitively oversee highly visible/controversial projects or involving competing priorities and analyzing situations to develop a course of action to produce work products that are accurate, thorough and on time.

Communications Effectiveness: Effective communication both verbal and in writing including the compilation of reports, presentations and records; and interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships and achieve results. Sustaining public trust while improving accountability; interacting with all levels of staff, public, various officials and others. Technically edit and provide oversight for the preparation of technical reports; use discretion and sound judgment handling assignments and workplace situations.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information:

To be considered for this opportunity: Interested individuals must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process. Applicants must attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Candidates are invited but not required, to submit a portfolio of their work. 

NOTE:  Applications received without attaching the required resume and cover letter will not progress in the selection process. Submitting a portfolio is not a requirement.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement. 

Examination Process:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #7-13 reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers.  DO NOT respond with “see resume” in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score. 

Appointment is subject to passing a background check and reference checks with acceptable results. 

When you work for the City of Tacoma, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/ and http://www.traveltacoma.com/

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.