Senior Planner - Long Range

City of Sumner • City of Sumner - City Hall, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Sumner is recruiting an experienced Senior Long Range Planner to join the Development Services Team. We’re looking for a planner who sees long-range planning as both a technical craft and a community conversation, someone who can navigate the Growth Management Act, comprehensive planning, housing policy, and development regulations with confidence while keeping people at the center of the work. To you, planning is about more than maps and code amendments; it’s about shaping a city that is resilient, connected, and welcoming for generations to come. You understand that transportation is about mobility and opportunity, parks and trails create community connections, and thoughtful land use planning helps preserve Sumner’s small-town character while preparing for future growth. We need a collaborative and strategic thinker who can manage complex projects, analyze policy, prepare compelling recommendations, and communicate technical information in a way that builds understanding and trust. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable drafting comprehensive plan updates, coordinating with regional agencies, presenting to Planning Commission or City Council, facilitating public engagement, and rolling up their sleeves to tackle day-to-day planning challenges. In Sumner, we value curiosity, professionalism, creativity, and a willingness to show up for the community and for one another. If you’re excited about helping guide a growing city through thoughtful long-range planning while preserving the character and values that make Sumner special, we’d love to meet you. The Senior Planner performs advanced professional planning work in support of the City’s community development and long-range planning objectives. Depending on organizational needs, the position may focus on either current/short-range planning or long-range planning and zoning initiatives. Responsibilities include the development, implementation, and maintenance of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, development regulations, design standards, zoning codes, and community development programs. Working under the general direction of the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner is expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and professional expertise. The position regularly collaborates with the Planning Commission, City Council, Hearing Examiner, Community Development Committee, other City departments, governmental agencies, developers, consultants, and members of the public to provide guidance and recommendations on complex and often sensitive planning and community issues. While this position does not typically supervise City staff, it may provide direction and limited oversight to consultants, interns, or project-specific support personnel.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in planning, urban design, geography, engineering, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of full-time experience in planning or closely related work; or a combination of education, experience and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
• Knowledge of: Planning principles , including zoning, environmental review and analysis, design, planning theory, land use law, socio-economic aspects, and land development as applied to a growing city.
• Knowledge of: Washington State Planning laws and procedures, including Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Subdivision law, Historic Preservation, Floodplain Management and other state and federal laws related to the operation of the department.
• Knowledge of: Modern trends in the field of land use planning and urban design.
• Knowledge of: Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Knowledge of: Business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of: Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Knowledge of: Preparation and presentation of statistical and narrative reports.
• Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects.
• Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers.
• Skills: Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.
• Ability to: Perform complex professional planning work with a minimum of supervision and make independent investigation of assigned cases and issues.
• Ability to: Review architectural plans, site and landscape plans, building elevations. and related materials to determine compliance with applicable land use, design, zoning, and environmental regulations.
• Ability to: Work constructively in a team environment with customers, consultants and other staff to seek solutions and gain code compliance in an efficient and professional manner.
• Ability to: Present complex and technical information in a clear and concise manner to various audiences.
• Ability to: Prepare slide presentations including appropriate and applicable graphics, maps, and illustrations.
• Ability to: Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional and accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including government officials, general public, and staff.
• Ability to: Network and collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituents and stakeholders in the community including residents, local businesses, and organizations.
• Ability to: Manage a varied workload organized to run smoothly and efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to: Operate technology and applications used by the City.
• Ability to: Interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to: Maintain proper record-keeping techniques.
• Ability to: Maintain reliable and punctual attendance.
• Ability to: Contribute to achieving the City’s Mission.

Nice To Haves

• A master's degree is desirable
• Background and experience in one or more of the following is preferred: Administration of design review process including staffing an advisory design commission Landscape architecture Environmental studies Architecture and urban design Preparation of reports and subarea plans

Responsibilities

• Provides and interprets information verbally and in writing to land developers and the public concerning City policies, regulations, zoning, subdivision, site plan review and other relevant land use related regulations.
• Reviews development proposals for compliance with applicable land use, environmental, zoning, and design regulations, and makes recommendations to the Planning Manager with respect to feasibility, effect on City growth and environmental impact aesthetical acceptance.
• Issues correction requests, certifies compliance, and conducts follow-up inspections.
• Prepares staff reports and recommendations for a variety of land use permits including variances, rezones, conditional uses, planned developments, shoreline permits, and subdivisions.
• Prepares comprehensive plan/zoning studies, and documents, code development, research, and related projects to support long range planning efforts.
• Makes presentations to the public, Design Commission, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, Community Development Committee and City Council regarding such applications.
• Makes presentations to the City Hearing Examiner for development projects under review. Including preparation of public hearing agendas, schedules, and notifcations.
• Researches and drafts amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and related implementing ordinances, including the preparation of various studies and reports.
• Performs research, studies, and analysis related to short-range or long-range planning, historic preservation, environmental issues, architecture and design, urban design, parks planning and design, urban trails, impact fees, growth management, downtown revitalization, transportation planning and demand management, planning education, building rehabilitation, and related topics.
• Manages consultants contracted to complete specific work products including: selection process, project management schedule, reviewing invoices.
• Pursues grant applications and manages grant correspondence, contract preparation and execution and invoice with state agencies.
• Enforces zoning and land use regulations, and other ordinances as required, including discussing complaints with members of the public, following up with field visits and related correspondence.
• Coordinates with regional and state agencies and other jurisdictions as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The City of Sumner is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol.

What This Job Offers

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