Now hiring, Assistant Planner!
This classification is the entry-level in the professional planner series.
Next review of applicants will be January 6, 2024
Salary range as of January 1, 2025: $6,698.27 – $8,475.45 per month
The incumbent is part of a collaborative work team that performs a broad range of professional planning support functions and assists with special projects under the direction of the Planning Manager or designee.
Work is characterized by exceptional customer service, timely and efficient processing of development applications, research and analysis projects of routine to moderate difficulty, preparation of reports, preparation of maps and support on special/long-range projects. Assistant Planner is distinguished from Associate Planner in that incumbents in the latter class exercise a higher degree of independent judgement on assignments, project management, and a greater degree of accountability and decision-making authority.
Work is performed with general supervision. The Principal Planner and Planning Manager in coordination with the Director, defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists incumbent with unusual situations which do not have clear objectives or precedents. Incumbent plans and carries out routine assignments and resolve problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated carefully for technical soundness, conformity to practice and policy, as well as thoroughness of research, analysis and recommendations.
This position will play a crucial part in supporting the Department’s goal of:
Maintain a unique and vibrant community that promotes economic growth and healthy neighborhoods with sustainable development and environmental protection.
About City of Lake StevensLake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community – the second fastest-growing city in Snohomish County – with a population of over 40,000 makes us the 4th largest city in the county.
Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city’s motto, “One Community Around the Lake”, embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council’s commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents.
Why City of Lake Stevens?
- Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
- Flexible Work Schedules– The city offers a variety of work schedules to include potential hybrid/remote work dependent on meeting business necessities and supervisor approval.
- Work Where you Live!
The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Retirement- through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
- Deferred Compensation- with city match.
- Excellent healthcare options- including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
- Paid leave- including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
- Tuition reimbursement!
- See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
- Responds to citizen inquiries regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning, Subdivision and Land Use Codes at the counter, over the phone, in writing, and at informal meetings. Researches and drafts revisions and amendments to City’s development codes and regulations.
- Reviews development applications for compliance with applicable development, zoning, subdivision, land use, and environmental policies and regulations
- Reviews and processes business licenses and home occupation applications
- Conducts field evaluations and assessments
- Coordinates project proposal reviews with other agencies, city departments, and city boards and commissions
- Prepares, files and maintains records throughout the life of a project in compliance with a variety of federal, state and local codes
- Assists with the preparation and presentation of graphics and maps, noticing, staff reports, and recommendations to the Director of Planning and Community Development, Hearing Examiner, City Council and other boards and commissions
- Researches and collects statistical/background data for senior staff as requested for current, long-range and special planning projects
- Utilizes social media, city website, and/or other programs and media to communicate project and departmental information to ensure consistent and timely communication
- Assists with addressing citizen complaints related to zoning and land use issues as needed
- Works with the City Clerk’s Office in the maintenance of department records and preparing documentation in response to requests for public record
- Maintains regular, predictable, and reliable attendance during scheduled hours
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
- Perform other duties as assigned
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The incumbent frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard and use a mouse for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
Work is mostly performed in an office environment but is subject to working outside occasionally in all types of weather. Will occasionally work evening or weekend hours to meet critical timelines, provide support in department emergency response events, or attend meetings.
While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is subject to multiple interruptions by telephone calls and customers; may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Occasionally requires driving to offsite locations and performing work in the field in various weather conditions. While in the field, the employee must stand or walk onvariable surfaces, including hard, even surfaces and uneven ground.
Typical business office machinery and equipment includes, but is not limited to, personal computer and software/applications, spreadsheet and word processing software, printers, telephones, scanning equipment, fax machine, copy machine, calculator, and projector.
Evening or variable hours to attend meetings is required.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a related field
Experience: One (1) year of experience in a related field including experience preparing maps and other presentation materials using GIS software
Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of planning
- State and federal statutes relating to current planning, zoning, land division, Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act and the Growth Management Act
- Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and ordinances
- Land use and environmental review requirements and their application in the overall permit process
- Principles and practices of research, analysis and data collection and interpretation
- Effective oral and written communication principles and practices
- Project management techniques and principles
- Detailed record-keeping techniques
- Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, statistical databases, Adobe, ArcGIS, etc.
Skilled in:
- Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing, spreadsheet programs and web-based management systems
- Proper use of telephone etiquette and techniques and ability to assist in answering diverse inquiries
- Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
- Understanding and following oral and written directions
- Compiling, organizing, and summarizing complex, detailed material independently or from tape or oral instructions, letters, notices, bulletins or other material
- Maintaining a variety of complex filing systems, records, and reports
- Effective analysis, interpretation and documentation of research projects
Ability to:
- Maintain regular, predictable and reliable attendance during scheduled hours
- Maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy
- Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team
- Work independently as necessary
- Utilize social media, website platforms and other media to effectively communicate city-related information
- Analyze, research and interpret codes, regulations, standards, plans and specifications
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public; present a positive image of the City in a variety of circumstances
- Demonstrate positive and effective interaction and communication with individuals of diverse social and economic backgrounds
- Analyze situations accurately and adopting an effective course of action.
- Organize work for maximum efficiency
- Effectively communicate complex and technical concepts orally and in writing to variety of audiences in a clear, effective and professional manner
- Attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind and creative problem-solving skills
- Work on several projects or issues simultaneously
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide with accuracy; compute rate, ratio, and percent; and create graphs and charts
Licenses, Certifications and Other Requirements:
- Completion of position-relevant background check
- Valid State of Washington driver’s license and a driving record that meets the city’s requirements
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is preferred
- Multilingual is desirable
Supplemental Information
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
- An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
- An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. **Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
The City of Lake Stevens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
There are no limitations to who’s a best fit to serve this community. If we contact you for an interview and you need specific accommodations, please let us know. Please contact Human Resources at (425) 622-9422, ten (10) days in advance to allow time for us to make proper arrangements. You’re also welcome to mail your request to City of Lake Stevens Human Resources, P.O. Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258; or email to arose@lakestevenswa.gov.
