Senior Affordable Housing Planner

City of Bellevue • Bellevue, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Affordable Housing Senior Planner drives Bellevue’s long-range housing policies and implementation programs that expand housing access and equity. This position integrates technical planning expertise with policy development, cross-departmental collaboration, community engagement, and regional coordination. Bellevue’s core values – exceptional public service, stewardship, innovation, and equity – guide the work of the Office of Housing. As a welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused city, Bellevue strives to create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. The Office of Housing, located in the City Manager’s Office, is committed to supporting the City’s vision by advancing the 2026-32 Affordable Housing Strategy, expanding access to diverse housing choices, responding to homelessness, and fostering equitable, inclusive communities. The Senior Planner plays a critical role in upholding these values through strategic policy development, collaborative problem-solving, and community-centered planning. This is an exciting time to engage in housing policy in Bellevue. You will help to address critical housing needs in a growing and changing community and support organizational alignment to further housing outcomes. The Affordable Housing Senior Planner leads and collaborates with other departments on complex housing initiatives, including strategic and comprehensive plans, policy analysis, code updates, development incentives, needs assessments, and program implementation. The role requires deep knowledge of land use and housing policy, local and regional government, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to manage politically sensitive, multi-stakeholder projects. The Senior Planner works under the general supervision of the Affordable Housing Manager and collaborates regularly with multiple departments, ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing), housing developers, regional agencies, community members including those with lived experience of housing instability, and elected and appointed officials.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public policy, urban planning, public administration, law, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of professional experience in public policy, affordable housing, land use planning, or related fields.
• Experience must include at least two years of project management.
• Knowledge of housing affordability issues, funding sources, regulatory frameworks, and housing finance concepts.
• Expert knowledge of planning principles, Growth Management Act requirements, zoning laws, and land use policy.
• Knowledge of local government processes and ability to work effectively with elected and appointed officials.
• Ability to anticipate emerging issues, develop innovative approaches, and solve problems proactively.
• Skill in researching complex issues, preparing reports, and delivering succinct, persuasive presentations.
• Ability to work independently while collaboratively supporting multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills; ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences on complex or sensitive topics.
• Knowledge of equitable community engagement practices.
• Think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Proficiency in project management techniques and Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to navigate political environments with tact and diplomacy.
• Foster an environment of productive teamwork.
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating diverse, equitable communities.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in planning, economics, public administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• AICP certification preferred.
• Experience in data visualization tools such as Power BI preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex technical and policy analysis to support updates to the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element, and evaluation of special housing initiatives.
• Research and analyze housing policies, regulatory tools, and their economic impacts, including feasibility analysis for incentives such as density bonuses, tax exemptions, and fee waivers.
• Prepare studies, reports, staff presentations, and legislative recommendations for City Council, Planning Commission, boards, commissions, and community groups.
• Maintain familiarity with federal, state, regional, and local housing programs and ensure compliance with relevant requirements.
• Initiate, review and coordinate amendments to the Land Use Code and development regulations that advance affordable housing goals.
• Provide advanced planning support for local code updates, rezones, and housing-related regulatory reform efforts.
• Coordinate and train staff across departments on new code provisions and interpretations.
• Lead cross-departmental implementation of the 2026-32 Affordable Housing Strategy.
• Identify opportunities to allocate local and regional housing funds to priority projects and programs.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data on city-wide affordable housing metrics; prepare reports to support program evaluation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Access and analyze demographic and housing data to support planning processes and track trends.
• Represent Bellevue’s Office of Housing in regional forums and workgroups addressing affordable housing, planning mandates, and interjurisdictional coordination as needed.
• Lead or participate in regional housing planning efforts requiring multijurisdictional alignment.
• Support ARCH efforts with local updates, data sharing, and coordinated local code and incentive implementation.
• Provide information to residents, service providers, community organizations, and neighborhood groups regarding housing programs and policy initiatives.
• Support and participate in public outreach to better inform and publicize housing programs and policy changes.
• Communicate complex and potentially controversial policy issues clearly and persuasively to a range of stakeholders.
• Build partnerships and foster collaboration to accelerate affordable housing production and preservation.
• Serve as project manager for complex, politically sensitive projects involving multiple departments or agencies.
• Lead interdepartmental teams to ensure coordinated implementation of work program outcomes.
• Provide subject-matter guidance for staff, community leaders, and elected and appointed officials.

Benefits

• New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

What This Job Offers

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