Senior Planner

City of Redmond•Redmond, WA

About The Position

The Senior Planner is responsible for leading complex land use, zoning, and development planning activities, ensuring that growth and development align with the City’s adopted plans, regulations, and strategic goals. Working under general direction, the Senior Planner independently develops analyses and recommendations, coordinates multi-disciplinary review, and prepares clear and well-supported work products for decision-makers. The position may provide direction, technical guidance, and mentorship to junior staff but does not exercise formal supervisory authority.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, urban design and development, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, environmental science, natural resources management, transportation, public policy, engineering or related discipline.
Four (4) to six (6) years of professional experience in the above fields
Valid Washington State Driver's License and a driving record that meets city standards
Knowledge of and Skills in Principles, practices and techniques of urban design, site design, land use, subdivision, urban planning, community development, environmental management, or transportation planning
Knowledge of Governmental processes and techniques and Federal, State and local regulations and policies with regard to land development, development review, subdivision, community planning, growth management, transportation, environmental management or historical preservation
Knowledge of Use of GIS and associated software, as well as a variety of contemporary office software, hardware and business machines
Knowledge of Statistical and forecasting research methodology and techniques
Knowledge of Methods and techniques of community involvement
Knowledge of Grant writing and coordination of grant funded projects
Ability to Develop and carry out program and project assignments to advance the City's vision and interests; formulate, organize and implement program activities and improvements
Ability to Partner and collaborate effectively with a variety of people
Ability to Communicate effectively in written, oral and graphic formats to other staff, elected officials, media and the public, including communication of topics that are complex and controversial
Ability to Effectively staff boards and commissions
Ability to Plan, organize and carry out work to meet deadlines and expectations for quality
Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers
Ability to Effectively prioritize and resolve problems and controversial issues
Ability to Define and conduct research related to projects and issues assigned; gather and analyze data for compilation
Ability to Define, conduct and interpret qualitative and quantitative analysis
Ability to Conduct analysis and prepare and communicate recommendations in relation to the City's operational directives complying with applicable Federal, State or local regulations
Ability to Present recommendations and resolve issues in public settings involving diverse groups of audiences
Ability to Facilitate public outreach and community development meetings, including those that are highly controversial

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a planning project/program lead in areas such as: storm water, watershed, parks, transportation, human services, environmental/ecological, land use, development review, comprehensive and long-range planning, developing policies and processes, and coordinating efforts to advance the City's initiatives and vision
Responsible and accountable for activities related to development, evaluation, amendment and implementation of the program criteria, policies and management plans; defining scope of projects, conducting technical research and studies, collecting and analyzing data, evaluating and formulating options and solutions in relation to operational directives, preparing staff reports, and presenting recommendations
Project management, including such things as, defining scope of work and consultant selection, steering and refining project design, refining project plans and specifications, managing project implementation
Prepares technical reports on comprehensive plan updates, zoning and other code updates, functional plans, master plans, and technical studies.
Coordinates and communicates with internal departments and external agencies; persuades and resolves issues related to planning procedures, policies and codes
Communicates with City Council and members of boards and commissions
Facilitates and attends public outreach meetings related to programs and projects assigned
Explains and answers inquiries related to program and project issues
Performs code research and provides technical assistance in the interpretation of codes and regulations related to assigned programs
Reviews, processes and works with land use or zoning permit applicants/developer to ensure compliance with comprehensive plan, applicable codes and regulations; conducts field audits as necessary
Explains and provides information related to codes, policies and procedures
Staffs and coordinates meetings for commissions and boards, adjusting and preparing schedules, agenda and material for discussion and working effectively with commission and board members
May identify and underwrite grant applications for programs assigned, including coordinating activities necessary to secure the grants and coordinating grant administration
May review and evaluate work, products, processes and methods of consultants and contractors, including negotiating and monitoring contracts and authorizing payments
May assist department management in budget development and resources allocation for the biennium process and assist in formulation of department goals and work programs

Benefits

MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente. All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan
DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS – with (13) paid holidays per year
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include: Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan
Annual COLA adjustments
Annual merit increases of up to 5%