The City of Kent is seeking an experienced and dynamic long-range planner to help build Kent’s future. In this role, the Principal or Senior Long-Range Planner will perform professional duties related to all aspects of City planning with a high degree of independence. You will lead complex planning projects, engage with diverse stakeholders, and leverage your knowledge of Growth Management Act, zoning, and urban design to create plans, policies, and regulations that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community. This is an exciting opportunity to not just develop plans, but to also implement them! The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively as a team member.   Five (5) years of professional level experience in municipal planning and a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field are required for a candidate to be qualified as a Senior Planner, while seven (7) years of professional level experience in municipal long-range planning and either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in the fields listed above are required in order for a candidate to be placed at the Principal Planner level. If you have the requisite education and experience, thrive in fast-paced environments, and have a proven track record in equitable community planning, we invite you to apply. Consider advancing your career and fostering the growth of a vibrant community through employment with the City of Kent.

There is ONE full-time position that will be filled by this recruitment process, depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a benefited, non-represented position that is exempt from overtime.

**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**

This position is open until filled. The hiring process for this recruitment will consist of at least one interview. Qualified candidates will be notified once an interview schedule has been established.

SALARY:

If placed in the Principal Planner position: $9,506.00- 11,579.00 per month, depending on experience

If placed in the Senior Planner position: $8,604.00-10,483 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

The job description below is for the position of Principal Long-Range Planner.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Long-Range Planning Manager, perform senior-level, professional planning and supervisory duties. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, code administration and development; comprehensive and sub-area planning; implementing policy initiatives; staff supervision, , analysis of legislation, representing the city, coordinating with external agencies, and special project research and studies related to land use planning and development.

Work is characterized by professional, senior-level planning duties associated with the research, development, implementation, and administration of City codes, ordinances, policies, and procedures in the area of planning, policy development, environmental and land use management.  Supervisory duties include assigning, evaluating, training, and reviewing work activities of other professional, paraprofessional, and technical personnel, including consultants.  The incumbent assures compliance with various City ordinances and regulations related to land development; applies research and analytical skills to prepare and present staff reports for public hearings and meetings; informs the public, outside agencies, developers, and others of various City and State land use and development code requirements and policies; coordinates the development and amendment of comprehensive and sub-area plans and technical planning documents; and performs planning and coordination tasks for special projects and programs. The incumbent is frequently required to perform work in confidence and under pressure for deadlines; is involved in politically sensitive issues requiring a considerable amount of tact and diplomacy; and assumes a lead role in developing strategies to address controversies. While actual duties of the Principal Planner will vary from time to time, incumbent may be assigned to perform work in any or all areas.

Work is performed under limited supervision. The manager sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and manager work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the manager informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct research to prepare and present concise reports, conclusions, and recommendations on long-range planning issues. Apply knowledge of economic and social factors that influence decisions and practices around development, construction, design, and use of land.  

Under the direction of the Long Planning Manager, effectively develop, interpret, administer, and amend the Zoning Code, Subdivision Code, Shoreline Master Program, Comprehensive Plan, sub-area plans, technical planning documents, and other land use regulations, policies, and procedures.

Develop and implement equitable community engagement efforts to gather input on projects, especially from community members not historically involved in government processes. This will include in-person activities and digital/online engagement methods. Must be able to identify and reduce barriers for participation.

Provide excellent customer services through clear and effective communications. Help others understand processes, timelines, code requirements, land use policies, analysis, and options for implementation; and reach conclusions and recommendations.

Serve as lead planner and provide technical advice and assistance related to long range planning principles and practices to other internal City departments and external federal, state, local and private agencies as necessary.  This includes assisting other departments in amending operational plans and regulations to ensure consistency and compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and related county, regional, and state planning requirements.

Work with GIS and data technical experts to define and draw areas for GIS map layers, choose symbology and colors, and develop, execute and maintain associated databases to support the needs of the division including, but not limited to, formulating planning scenarios; displaying high quality special-purpose maps; effectively coordinating data efforts with other city departments.

Prepare, review and process non-project SEPA land use permit applications.

Clearly and effectively communicate with customers, the community, interested parties (businesses, property owners, etc.), external agencies, Land Use and Planning Board and City Council; represent the City and coordinate with appropriate state, regional and local agencies and parties. 

Provide effective written, graphic, electronic, and oral communication with diverse audiences.  Communicate complex, technical issues related to land use policies, research, and code requirements into common, everyday terms.

With little-to-no daily supervision, direct the activities and monitor the completion of work tasks of consultants who are contracted to perform specified Planning activities of the department.

Effectively write, oversee, and coordinate grants, including budget and deliverables.

Organize, attend, and conduct effective interdepartmental and public meetings. 

Effectively and tactfully represent the City in various regional and intergovernmental capacities.  Serve as member of various City and regional committees and task forces as assigned.

Prepare a variety of planning graphics, including conventional and computer-assisted graphics and maps, for reports, plans, and public presentations.

Prepare timely and accurate informational materials on long-range planning issues and public hearings.

Maintain long-range planning documents, updating content and projects for public access as directed by the Long-Range Planning Manager.

Review and provide technical comments on behalf of the City on state legislation, Multicounty Planning Policies, and Countywide Planning Policies.

Assist the Long-Range Planning Manager in establishing the scope and schedule for major Planning projects.

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

May act as the Long-Range Planning Manager in the Manager's absence as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer and spreadsheet and word processing software, database, GIS, graphic and visualization software, automated permit processing, electronic plan review tools, graphic design programs, printers, telephone, copy machine, calculator, projector and architect and engineer scales, and presentation screens.

The incumbent may also be required to operate a City vehicle to travel to and from sites within the City and outside the City.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment, subject to driving from site to site to visit development sites, perform inspections, and understand and experience areas of varying intensities of land use in the city. Work includes some night and weekend meetings, which may be at City Hall or other public locations or community events. When performing work in the office, the employee is subject to frequent interruptions by the public, employees, telephone calls, and interoffice activities. The incumbent may also be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office and very loud at inspection sites.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Supervisory principles and practices

• Municipal government policies, procedures, structure, operations, and objectives

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances including, but not limited to, the Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, State Shoreline Act, and other land use statutes related to urban planning

• Trends, and developments in the planning field

• Principles and practices of state, regional, municipal, sub-area and neighborhood  planningand zoning

• Research methodology for planning data collection and analysis

• Planning information sources including, but not limited to, demographic and economic data, environmental factors, land development trends, and legal requirements

• General theories, principles, and practices of site planning and design review, relating to the development and use of land, and the construction of buildings

• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs, geographic information systems (GIS), automated permit process, and graphics preparation

• Technical aspects of field of specialty, including policy development, growth management requirements, project management, and land use law as it pertains to land use planning and development

• Grant writing and funding sources

SKILLED IN:

• Using research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures to define and resolve issues

• Research techniques and technical writing

• Project management

• Interpreting and making decisions based on ordinances, governmental regulations, and policies

• Thinking conceptually; observing and evaluating trends; analyzing data; and drawing logical conclusions

• Interpersonal skills, including, patience, and courtesy

• Effective organization and expression of ideas through use of oral, written, and graphic communications

• Recordkeeping and preparing reports

• Preparing and delivering oral and multimedia presentations

ABILITY TO:

• Train, supervise, provide work direction of internal staff and consultants

• Compile, organize, analyze, evaluate, and effectively utilize technical and statistical data, professional journals and periodicals related to research projects and other land use planning and development projects

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing on sometimes sensitive issues to diverse audiences

• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, legal documents, and technical policies and procedures; and resolve unique, technically-difficult, or controversial planning issues

• Effectively work with engineering, architectural, geographic and/or cartographic illustrations and information systems

• Work effectively in a rapid-paced work environment on several projects concurrently, complete work with many interruptions, and plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines

• Work confidentially with discretion

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

• Work independently and make decisions within broad guidelines

• Effectively direct the work of others in a team environment

• Effectively speak and present written, visual, electronic, and geographic information before groups of employees, managers, developers, elected officials, boards and commissions, general public and public groups, and public hearings

• Perform mathematical computations relevant to technical aspects of work; and draw and interpret graphs and charts

• Define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

• Navigate difficult situations with emotional intelligence

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills, demonstrated through the ability to unit individuals with diverse interests and backgrounds.

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education:  Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration, or a related field; and

Experience: Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the planning field including at least three (3) years of experience in Long Range Planning;

Or:  In place of the above requirements, incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience that would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of AICP certification desired

• Valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

• Must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check; successfully complete the City's Defensive Driving Course; and maintain an excellent driving record

• Lead or supervisory experience is preferred

• Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS), excel, and other data analysis Completion of position relevant background check

• Multilingual skills in one of Kent’s most spoken languages is  desired

• Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry