Planner, Senior (Marine Resource Committee Coordinator)

Snohomish County, WA•Everett, WA

71d•Hybrid

About The Position

Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), a Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring one Planner, Senior to join our team. SWM is seeking a highly motivated candidate for one Planner, Senior position to be the County's Marine Resources Committee (MRC) project lead. This position will coordinate a volunteer MRC, established in 1999 who implement projects and advise Snohomish County on marine resource related matters. The position will lead or support MRC and SWM marine focused projects such as derelict boat removal, marine vegetation monitoring, forage fish surveys, outreach events and working collaboratively with partners on marine resource issues. If you are dedicated, motivated and team-oriented with professional experience in natural resource planning in the areas of watersheds, marine ecosystems, and habitat protection and restoration, this is your opportunity to make a difference. We are looking for talented applicants with a proven track record of working collaboratively with colleagues, management, stakeholders, and other key partners. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, collaborative decision making and problem resolution. This is a professional level position where the successful candidate shall demonstrate the ability to excel in a team environment and interact effectively with a diverse group of professionals. In addition, this position may lead and/or coordinate the work of other staff, so the preferred candidate will be able to give and review work assignments and work well with other staff within the SWM Division. Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. About Surface Water Management SWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County. These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county. SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million. SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations. SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems. We focus on four core areas of service: Drainage and road flooding Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes; Salmon and marine habitat; and River flooding You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info. Our 2023 Highlights report is available here. About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals. Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info. About Snohomish County Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career. Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Requirements

Experience working on marine resource issues
Experience leading volunteer and/or partner committees
Experience as a project manager
Experience with marine science data collection
Experience developing outreach materials and hosting community events
Experience developing reports, grant applications, and plans
A Bachelor's degree in planning, environmental studies, geography, engineering, or a related field; AND, two (2) years experience in planning work related to the specific requirements of the position; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or related experience that provides the required knowledge, and abilities.
Must pass job related tests.
A valid State of Washington Driver's License is required.
Knowledge of: the principles and practices of planning and design, capital construction budget management, research and data collection techniques, mapping and charting techniques, current literature trends, regulations and developments in the planning field, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related to area of assignment, comprehensive knowledge of public works project management, computer word processing, spreadsheet and database applications
Ability to: gather, evaluate and document technical planning data, read, interpret and apply legal documents and descriptions, independently prepare comprehensive plans and studies, independently organize tasks, delegate responsibility and coordinate a planning team effort under deadlines, synthesize the research results and use these results as a basis for recommendations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing, make effective group presentations, provide graphics necessary to assigned projects, establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public, read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties, communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds, prepare a variety of correspondence, reports, and other written materials and documents; negotiate contracts and oversee contractors, resolve conflicts, effectively manage multiple projects and related budgets

Responsibilities

Coordinates and participates in the development and administration of public works plans; identifies information required, chooses data collection methods, collects and analyzes data; formulates and recommends options and solutions; develops plan alternatives; prepares analyses, proposals, cost estimates, and reports; conducts special studies, projects and forecasts; solicits departmental and citizen involvement and input; and prepares recommendations for Planning Commission and County Council review.
In coordination with other divisions' staff, work on requests for proposals for professional services, monitors budgets and maintains status reports on capital construction projects.
Prepares timelines and scheduling for capital construction projects in coordination with Public Works staff, and contractors.
Assumes lead planner role as assigned; coordinates with and directs associate planners and/or technical staff in the preparation of plans and reports; ensures that completed work complies with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and grant requirements.
As assigned, supervises, coordinates or conducts planning related projects.
Arranges for, sets up and/or participates in public meetings, hearings, and council sessions; acts as departmental representative; prepares or supervises the preparation of graphics, displays, brochures, leaflets and slide/tape shows; prepares oral and written presentations including findings and reports; responds to questions and solicits input as appropriate.
Serves as staff representative on various technical advisory committees, commissions and interest groups; coordinates the formation of various groups as necessary; develops agendas and keeps the groups informed about problems, needs, pending changes and various topics of interest; moderates discussions, mediates disputes, and resolves conflicts; arranges for presentations by other staff and agencies; delegates tasks and work assignments; takes minutes; coordinates the development of group policies, documents and reports.
Responds to and resolves planning related conflicts and questions from the general public, government and private officials, the media and interest groups regarding zoning, subdivisions, code interpretations, permit processing and departmental policies; researches files and provides information over the phone and in writing.
Formulates, prepares and circulates environment impact statements; evaluates and prepares environmental threshold determinations for non exempt proposals; reviews and comments on environmental assessments, threshold determinations and statements prepared by other departments and agencies; provides written and oral interpretations of applicable environmental ordinances and policies as necessary.
Prepares and submits various grant proposals; drafts and monitors grant award contracts; coordinates and monitors work completed by grant funded subcontractors; administers non-accounting aspects of minor grants.
May assist in the preparation of the Annual Construction Plan and six-year Capital Improvement Program.
Prepares contracts and monitors the performance of various consultants and interlocal agreements; approves work in progress and on completion; approves billings for services received; prepares status reports as required.
Performs related duties as required.
Conducts transportation modeling/analysis working with modeling software.
Develops GIS applications for transportation or planning related projects.

Benefits

Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county's contribution to this benefit is significant.
Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.
Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
Flexible work schedules.
Career development training.