Senior Planner

City of Puyallup•Puyallup, WA

27d•$6,723 - $8,607•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Puyallup is hiring two Senior Planners to join the Planning Division in the Development and Permitting Services Department. These impactful roles are part of Team Puyallup, providing meaningful public service and contributing to the well-being of our community. The city values a culture of excellence, service focus, collaboration, and integrity. Successful candidates will perform professional planning work, concentrating on current planning and comprehensive (long-range) planning, including annexations and urban growth area issues. The positions require a broad range of knowledge and experience in the planning field. Work is performed with considerable independence under the supervision of the Planning Manager. It involves occasional contact with the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, City Council, representatives of other City departments and divisions, other governmental agencies, land developers and their agents, and the general public to provide information and advice on sensitive community issues. The work is performed in an office setting but requires occasional field investigations. Attendance at meetings, which frequently occur outside normal work hours, is also required. The City of Puyallup is a community of 43,000 situated at the foot of Mount Rainier, known as a regional commercial center with a strong, diversified economy.

Requirements

Knowledge of modern planning principles and practices.
Knowledge of site plan review.
Knowledge of land use concepts and the impact of sociological, demographic, economic, environmental and other factors influencing land use.
Knowledge of research techniques and graphic and statistical presentations.
Knowledge of project review principles and methods.
Knowledge of the operation of personal computers, including word processing and spreadsheet software and permit tracking systems.
Ability to systematically gather, organize and analyze data.
Ability to write reports clearly and in an interesting manner and to convey technical information to lay persons.
Ability to make clear and concise verbal presentations before a variety of groups in a manner appropriate to the audience.
Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner often under difficult circumstances.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, draft ordinances and regulations to implement land use planning policies.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions.
Ability to effectively work in a team environment, contribute openly, respectfully disagree, understand the ideas of others, listen well and work for consensus.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with departmental personnel, developers, citizens groups, the public and other City personnel.
Ability to prepare and carry out work programs and special projects and meet timelines, and work independently with little direction.
Ability to represent City and the department in a professional manner under a wide range of circumstances.
Bachelor's degree in planning or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible and relevant planning experience.
Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities to perform essential functions and communicate with others.
Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc.
Frequent sitting, may be extended at times, while doing desk activities.
Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position.
Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office areas; standing may be extended at times while working at the front counter.
Occasional lifting/carrying up to 30-pound documents, file boxes, etc.
Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, and moving materials.
Occasional climbing on step stools, ladders and stairs.
Occasional field visits require driving, negotiating rough terrain, and below normal temperatures.

Nice To Haves

Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.
A Master's degree in planning or related field may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

Reviews development applications for conformance with City land use regulations, including zoning and subdivision codes, critical area regulations and related standards.
Performs SEPA and shoreline program reviews.
Prepares reports and makes presentations to the Hearing Examiner.
Performs a wide variety of comprehensive planning activities; including maintenance of the City Comprehensive Plan; gathers and analyzes data, makes recommendations, and prepares reports.
Makes presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Assists in the preparation of ordinances or revisions to ordinances related to land use and development to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
Processes annexation requests and related tasks.
Assists other departments in the development of functional plans and policies, especially as they relate to land use and development.
Responds to inquiries from applicants and members of the public on a variety of development-related topics.
Represents the City on inter-jurisdictional planning bodies.
Provides assistance to outside agencies and committees as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.