Assistant Planner

City of Kirkland•Kirkland, WA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Planner acts as a customer liaison for the Planning Division of the Planning & Building Department, implementing the department's mission to ensure the orderly growth of the City. This role involves providing public information about City planning policies, regulations, and activities, conducting technical plan reviews, and processing minor administrative development applications. This is an entry-level position within the Planner series, where the incumbent follows routine procedures and guidelines under close supervision, with work frequently reviewed by a superior. Assignments are accompanied by clear, detailed, and specific instructions. This classification differs from the Planner role, which handles more complex technical duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Experience in providing customer service.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
Excellent customer service/public relations skills.
Knowledge of land use codes and land use practices.
Ability to analyze code provisions.
Knowledge of basic environmental functions and values.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing and permit tracking.
Ability to perform site visits.
Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to secure a reasonable transportation accommodation to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
Resume and cover letter noting how you meet the minimum qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree in planning or related field is desired.
General knowledge of planning and/or zoning.

Responsibilities

Provides information about the City’s development regulations and policies to the general public and permit applicants via telephone, in person, email, and at meetings.
Routes inquiries concerning specific development permits to project planners.
Conducts technical review of single-family and other minor residential and commercial building permit applications.
Processes minor administrative development applications to ensure compliance with City development regulations and policies, and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits.
Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.
Accepts development permit applications for filing, reviews for completeness, calculates and receipts fees, enters permits into permit tracking software and routes to supervising planners for further processing.
Ensures that the public counter information is up to date, including City codes, maps, and forms.
Supports Code Enforcement, including code analysis and site visits.
Performs research tasks as assigned.
Prepares standard City legal documents associated with building permits and minor administrative development applications.
Works with other members of the Department in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.