Planner III

Nooksack Indian Tribe • Deming, WA

4d • $30 - $32 • Onsite

About The Position

The Planner III supports the effective operation of the Nooksack Indian Tribe Planning Department through land use research, community planning, project review, field work, mapping, technical analysis, and coordination with Tribal departments, community members, and outside agencies. This position prepares clear reports and recommendations on planning-related topics, supports land development and environmental review, and helps ensure planning projects are completed in a timely, organized, and compliant manner.
The Planner III is expected to maintain positive and respectful working relationships, support a healthy and service-oriented workplace, and work collaboratively with the EDP Director, Planning Manager, Tribal staff, Tribal Council, community members, and partner agencies while respecting Tribal culture, community priorities, lead Planning Committee meetings and the Tribe’s long-term planning needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Land Use Planning, Community Development, or a related field; or Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of directly related responsibilities; or Eight years of directly related experience in the area of responsibility.
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. A driving abstract may be required at time of hire.
• Knowledge of current Tribal and federal government policies as they pertain to the Planning Department and its functions.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to address problems involving several variables in non-standardized situations.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with the Nooksack Tribal community and Tribal culture.
• Ability to speak before groups of people.
• Ability to understand regulations that pertain to the Tribal Planning Department, projects, and design.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, SketchUp, Whatcom County Parcel Viewer, and other mapping, design, and related technology tools.
• Ability to identify funding opportunities that meet the Tribe’s needs.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports and maintain records, findings, documents, correspondence, and related files.
• Ability to read and interpret graphic instructions and technical materials, including blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, building plans, legal descriptions, land descriptions, surveys, and technical data or drawings to verify construction compliance with approved documents.
• Ability to detect deficiencies or deviations from approved plans.
• Must pass alcohol/drug test(s) at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Must pass criminal background check(s) at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
• Must pass all Nooksack Tribal hiring prerequisites.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write in English.
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, and balance are required, including bending, stooping, kneeling, stretching, and other physical exertions.
• Must be able to lift 10–30 pounds as required.
• Requires constant use of both hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, or grasp while keyboarding, using phones, calculators, copiers, and other office equipment; writing instructions; filing; and performing other administrative duties. Job requirements include frequent forward and over-shoulder reaching.
• Keyboarding may be required frequently for long intervals throughout the work shift depending on specific work requirements.
• Requires ability to use computers, read fine print, and interact with the public and co-workers; visual requirements include hand-eye coordination and visual acuity in near and mid ranges.
• Requires ability to answer phones and communicate with clients, community members, outside agencies, and co-workers while giving and receiving instructions.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience working with Native Americans or a Native American organization is preferred.
• Must know how to read and understand Surveys and Legal Descriptions and an understanding of Aliquot parts.
• Preferred experience understanding BIA land records, including Title Status Reports (TSRs), land descriptions, surveys, and working with BIA and BLM on records requests and other BIA/ BLM related documents & records.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external agencies, including but not limited to Whatcom County and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and maintain positive working relationships with departments across the Tribe.
• In collaboration with the Planning Manager, analyze, monitor, and address issues and policies that impact the Tribe and provide guidance to Tribal Council as appropriate.
• Assist in the review of project plans and advise staff on permitting, zoning, federal and state regulations, and transportation requirements, assist with permitting policy updates.
• Ensure assigned projects are effectively completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support planning projects through effective coordination, organization, tracking, communication, this will include writing RFPs or RFQs, ATOs, Aiding with Interagency reports and follow-through to help ensure work is completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• In collaboration with the Planning Manager, this position may assign Planning Technician transportation duties.
• Develop and maintain the Tribal lands database.
• Assist in the architectural design for Tribal buildings and housing development.
• Assist in the development of schematic drawings, mapping, and related materials using various software programs.
• Organize and administer research studies, conduct analyses, and prepare reports and recommendations regarding land use, infrastructure improvement, environmental requirements, and other planning matters.
• Serve as a technical specialist on assigned projects, and must be able to utilize outside agency search areas, such as Whatcom County Parcel Viewer.
• Perform field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and verify that development projects comply with approved plans.
• Must be willing to attend Training/ Education opportunities

Benefits

• Competitive salary DOE, COLA and merit increase as approved.
• Employer Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Basic Employee Life and Accidental Death and Disability – Equal to one year’s salary.
• Employer Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• 401(k) and up to 4% Employer Contribution Match.
• Paid Leave: Annual, Sick, Bereavement, Cultural, Jury Duty.
• Holidays: Approximately 22 holidays and administrative closures annually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level