Planner, Senior

Position Description

*** SPECIAL NOTE***

**This is a project position expected to end December 31, 2026, unless extended. **

Applications received by August 8, 2024, will receive first consideration

Are you a highly motivated person who is passionate about working with diverse community members to solve complex problems and building great communities? The City of Tacoma’s Planning & Development Services Department is looking for an experienced planner to join our team as a Senior Planner. This is the second level in the Planner Series, within the Current Planning section of the Department.

Position Profile:
The Senior Planner serves as a key member of the land use permitting team and works on a variety of complex permitting projects.

Senior Planners independently perform and lead professional level planning and assist in the formulation of departmental goals and objectives, interpret code and prepare reports and recommendations, and may supervise or lead professional or other staff members. Responsibilities include resolving complex planning and permitting issues that have broad potential impact and may involve competing interests, multiple clients, conflicting rules or practices, a range of possible solutions, or other elements that contribute to complexity.

This Planner will be a member of the City’s current planning team and will be involved in day-to-day implementation of the City’s land use and other development codes. The work includes general customer service, inter-departmental service, and in-depth management of land use and development permits.
The Department:
The Planning & Development Service Department’s mission is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable, and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Department encompasses all aspects of building, land use, and site development.
The Current Planning Division comprises land use, environmental, and plan review professionals who work with internal and external customers to implement the City’s policies and regulations through both discretionary and ministerial permitting. Our team works closely with other review professionals to ensure that quality development is permitted in a timely, clear, equitable manner.

Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of the City's land use codes and environmental codes, as well as state and federal laws that inform our daily work. In-depth experience in one or more of the following areas is required: plan review, discretionary permitting, or property subdivision.

The candidate will need to work well with others in a collaborative team setting and have the ability to oversee highly visible and sometimes controversial projects effectively and sensitively. To effectively navigate in a complex organization, the candidate will possess strong interoffice and interagency relationship building and management skills, as well as a nuanced understanding of organizational decision-making and operation. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to a wide variety of planning topics, including Washington's Growth Management Act (GMA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) are needed to perform this role. A strong background in project management and plan review is desired.

Our Ideal Candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Is an organized self-starter with strong skills for the prioritization and management of projects and work tasks.
• Able to gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity, and to build partnerships and maintain effective relationships with other local and regional agencies, the private design and development community, and the community at large.
• Able to make high-level public presentations before the hearing examiner, elected officials, and the public.
• Able to readily adapt to constantly changing and multiple business needs and projects, resulting in frequent re-prioritization of project tasks and timelines.
• Possess excellent public speaking and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex processes in an understandable way.
• Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to our organization and has an outstanding ability to relate to diverse audiences.

Essential Duties:
The following are illustrative examples of the essential functions of the job.
Depending on position/assignment, a Senior Planner typically:

• Reviews residential and commercial building permits, pre-application requests, code enforcement violation notices and land-use discretionary applications;
• Manages, coordinates and facilitates public meetings for land use permits;
• Represents the city for applications on appeal to the Hearing Examiner or Superior Court;
• Assists with improving GIS mapping tools;
• Assists with and participates in community planning initiatives (e.g., Home in Tacoma, green building, open space, tiny homes);
• Leads and coaches lower-level staff;
• Explains and interprets complex rules, policies and operating procedures;
• Develops solutions and/or recommendations;
• Coordinates work of unit with that of other areas in division, department, other departments or other agencies;
• Attends substantial number of evening and weekend meetings;
• Performs other work as assigned.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (TRAINING AND EDUCATION):

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or directly related field
  
  OR
  
  
• 4 years of related urban planning experience.
  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (TRAINING AND EDUCATION):

• Bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, public administration, urban design, engineering or closely allied field and four (4) years of progressively responsible planning experience
  
  OR

• Master's degree with two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning profession

**Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education**

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

• Depending upon assignment a WA driver's license may be required
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is desired but not required

Knowledge & Skills

Technical Knowledge
Theory, principles and techniques of the planning profession and development process with an understanding of the interrelationships of land use, transportation, economy, environment, health, human services with plans and regulations; including one or more planning disciplines, such as land use, design, environmental science, survey, growth management, or housing; federal, state and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to a wide variety of planning topics; technical research and analysis, report development, budget management; and City government organization, policies and procedures. Proficiency with computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, project management applications and GIS.

Consulting
Employ expertise, credibility, and effective partnering to help clients identify, evaluate, and resolve complex or sensitive issues, problems, and service needs. Identify resources and potential solutions that are practical and effective, understanding when, where and how to implement those options. Excel at helping the customer navigate through complex or sensitive issues, advising on best practices and important trends. Think and act proactively about service issues, following up to make sure desired outcomes are realized.

Analysis
Use information in clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions. Judge or infer appropriate responses to a set of information on the basis of clear guidelines or procedures. Form accurate conclusions regarding actions to be taken.

Workload Management
Effectively manage multiple, high-priority assignments or issues simultaneously and meet firm deadlines; effectively and sensitively oversee highly visible/controversial projects or involving competing priorities and analyzing situations to develop a course of action to produce work products that are accurate, thorough and on time.

Communications Effectiveness
Effective communication both verbal and in writing including the compilation of reports, presentations and records; and interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships and achieve results. Sustaining public trust while improving accountability; interacting with all levels of staff, public, various officials and others. Technically edit and provide oversight for the preparation of technical reports; use discretion and sound judgment handling assignments and workplace situations.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

*** SPECIAL NOTE: This is a project position expected to end December 31, 2026, unless extended. ***

To be considered for this opportunity:
Interested individuals must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process. Applicants must attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Candidates are invited but not required, to submit a portfolio of their work. NOTE: Applications received without attaching the required resume and cover letter will not progress in the selection process. Submitting a portfolio is not a requirement.

In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

Examination Process:
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions # 5-11 reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts . It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers. DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check and reference checks with acceptable results.

When you work for the City of Tacoma you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/
http://www.traveltacoma.com/

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.
Agency
City of Tacoma

Address
Human Resources Department
747 Market Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone
253-591-5400

Website
http://www.cityoftacoma.org

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Tacoma, Washington United States View Map