Associate Planner

City of Anacortes•Anacortes, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Processes applications for land use permits and performs or assists in a wide variety of technical and administrative tasks in the administration of the current and established environmental and land use planning regulations and procedures. Reviews land use proposals and administer land management plans including those relating to critical areas, environmental impacts and protection under local, state, and federal law and regulations. Applies applicable laws and ordinances including, but not limited to Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Critical Areas Ordinance, Floodplain Management, and other environmental and land use regulations.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in geography, planning, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resource planning or similar field plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the administration of land use regulations, or at least one (1) year of graduate coursework experience in geography, planning, environmental science, environmental planning, natural resource planning or similar field, plus a minimum of one (1) year experience in the administration of land use regulations.
Valid Washington State driver's license
Knowledge of environmental planning and regulations.
Familiarity with principles and practices of land use planning, zoning administration, and subdivision design and development.
Knowledge of the Washington State Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, and municipal land use, zoning, annexation and subdivision statutes.
Knowledge of research methods using a variety of information and data sources.
Knowledge of office procedures, including effective filing and accurate record-keeping techniques.
Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a professional, business-like manner.
Ability to exercise independent judgment to make decisions about day-to-day issues and activities; interpret, explain and apply policies and procedures to situations; deal tactfully and courteously with customers, both internal and external; and prepare, maintain and process a variety of documents.
Ability to clearly and effectively interpret, evaluate, explain and apply complex codes and ordinances; conduct research and analysis; and read and interpret complex grants, maps, plan drawings, permit applications and other public plans.
Ability to work in a cooperative, collaborative atmosphere; handle a diverse workload and multiple deadlines in an ever-changing political and legal environment; perform work in a multi-task work environment; and prioritize and organize projects to achieve excellent outcomes.
Ability to work under strict deadline requirements, and handle applicant pressure or disgruntled public.
Ability to analyze and interpret topographic maps, aerial photographs, plan drawings and specifications.
Ability to maintain organized work documents and apply strict attention to detail and process.

Responsibilities

Performs customer service duties at the planning counter.
Meets and assists applicants, identifies and explains applicable procedures and regulations, and assists them with the proper completion of permit applications.
Acts as the Planning Department’s primary point of contact for customers at the front counter and on the phone.
Serves as project manager and conducts development application review process which determines permit application completeness and conformance with comprehensive plans and applicable policies, regulations and codes; inspects and evaluates properties to determine environmental and critical area characteristics as well as compatibility with adjacent land uses; prepares and distributes public notices; tracks public comments; routes applications to other interested agencies and groups for comment; schedules and conducts technical review meetings with applicants and other affected parties; negotiates project redesign as appropriate; prepares and schedules cases for public hearings; presents staff reports and makes recommendations on land use applications to decision-makers; tracks projects through completion.
Performs field inspections prior to preparing final reports to determine pre-project site conditions and perform post-permit issuance inspections to monitor compliance with the conditions of approval.
Responds to complaints, investigates reports of violations and recommends appropriate action.
Provides consultation to other departments, public and private agencies, attorneys, builders, engineers, community interest groups, and the general public regarding land use and environmental policies, standards and regulations, or refers them to the appropriate local, state or federal agencies with regulatory control or expertise.
Assists with preparation of public educational materials and forms regarding environmental regulations and permit processes and procedures.
Assists in updating or developing new ordinances, codes and regulations, programs and procedures and coordinates their implementation.
Participates in staff meetings.
Provides input and recommendations to improve work processes and the general operation, performance, and services provided by the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department.
Attends training and stays current with ordinances, codes, and legal changes pertaining to environmental, land use, and related subjects.