Senior Project Planner - City of Lacey

Senior Project Planner Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/laceywa/jobs/newprint/4641515) Apply ? Senior Project Planner Salary $8,030.46 - $9,544.34 Monthly Location Lacey, WA Job Type Full Time Remote Employment Flexible/Hybrid Job Number 2024-00067 Department Community and Economic Development Opening Date 09/13/2024 Closing Date 9/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific + Description + Benefits + Questions BASIC PURPOSE Reporting to the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager, the Senior Project Planner is responsible for performing public engagement, communications, complex research and analysis, legislation monitoring and long-range planning duties at the highest level of expertise. This position is also responsible for duties, which include but are not limited to, performing complex planning duties in support of the Director and elected officials; leading policy development and public engagement projects; serving as a liaison with Public Affairs Department and create ongoing engagement strategies on behalf of the Department; providing information to various stakeholders on the planning process; and independently researching and analyzing planning issues, and preparing special reports as assigned. The Community and Economic Development Department (CED) is responsible for shaping our community and for the City's full range of community planning, land use development, environmental protection and construction code compliance. The Department's mission is to enrich the quality of lives in Lacey for all our citizens by providing to the public timely and accurate assistance and participation in the development and implementation of the Community's Comprehensive Plan and Development Codes in order to ensure: a diversified economy providing family jobs, goods and services; safe, well designed and attractive neighborhoods; the highest quality of development and construction in the City; and the protection of our environmental resources and natural beauty. Please note: Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 17th. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES These duties include but are not limited to the following: + Provides the highest level of support to the Department Director and the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager in working with Planning Commission, City Council, intergovernmental committees, and staff on public policy and legislative issues, planning procedures, special comprehensive plans, and regulatory ordinances by conducting research, analysis and developing reports and presentations. May assist the Planning Manager with long range planning projects and program development. + Responsible for leading the project management process of implementation or policy development projects, that could include facilitating internal and/or external stakeholder groups, committees, task force and/or community forums, to a successful conclusion. + Monitors legislative activities and actions for impacts to department and city regulations and operations. Communicates impacts to stakeholders groups including the department leadership, City Manager and City Council. Serves as a liaison for CED to Public Affairs on legislative related issues. + Identifies and supports economic development initiatives. Implements economic development initiatives in support of the City of Lacey Economic Development Plan and strategy. + Conducts research and analysis to identify strategies, action plans, resource requirements and timelines for public engagement projects, and assists department staff in the development of plans, outreach, communications and engagement activities. Coaches and mentors' internal stakeholders on public engagement processes. + Coordinates department responses to inquiries on planning, building and economic development topics from the public, internal departments and City Council. + Produce reports and "dashboards" on a monthly, quarterly and/or annual basis highlighting department and community data, statistics and trends for informing internal and external stakeholders. + Represent the Director at regional and/or inter-jurisdictional boards, committees and meetings when assigned. + Researches and analyzes population, land use, demographic and statistical data and produces reports and presentations based on the research and analysis. Advises decision makers on research as directed. + Assists the public and developers in the field, at the counter, and over the phone with inquiries related to zoning considerations regarding land development and/or related issues. + Uses GIS software to create maps and analyze spatial data. Other Duties Assigned + Monitors day-to-day operations; anticipates and troubleshoots problems where needed and assures staff responds quickly and appropriately to citizen inquiries, requests for service, and/or complaints. + Performs routine review of assigned work, detecting and preventing errors or mistakes that would prove costly or could seriously disrupt a City service or project. + May oversee the work of part-time, seasonal, or temporary positions. May supervise work of Assistant Planners on projects as assigned by the Current Planning and Economic Development Manager. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Environmental Planning, Geography, or a related field AND six (6) years of work experience performing public engagement, group facilitation, long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review. OR A Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Environmental Planning, Geography, or a related field AND five (5) years of work experience performing long range planning and/or current planning work such as comprehensive planning and policy development and/or development review. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: + AICP membership or education and experience necessary to qualify to take the AICP exam. + Experience working for a government agency. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S): + Must pass a background investigation and successfully complete pre-employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. + Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation. + Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques. + Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier, OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites. + Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete a required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: + Public engagement tactics, practices, techniques, and principles to support public engagement initiatives and events. + Comprehensive Plan and public policy development processes + Principles and practices of urban planning and zoning. + Zoning, subdivision concepts and processes. + Landscape planning, both as to principles of site design and use of plant materials. + Washington State Growth Management Act. + Washington State shoreline management, environmental review procedures, and requirements. + Site planning principles and methods. + Laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions. + Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning. + Operation of personal computers, including word processing and related software, and permit tracking systems. Skill In: + Using public engagement systems, tools and processes + Using public engagement tactics, practices, techniques, and principles to support public engagement initiatives and events. + Project management in an individual or group environment. + Interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relations with various stakeholders including the public, elected officials and senior management. + Using GIS systems. + Coordinating and facilitating meeting and hearings. + Communicating complex, sensitive, or controversial information on planning policies and procedures in a diplomatic manner. + Applying planning principles and practices to specific problems and formulate recommendations. + Dealing with the public in a courteous and tactful manner. + Systematically gathering, organizing, and analyzing data. + Organization and time management with the ability to prioritize and coordinate work. Ability to: + Build consensus, generate common understanding and create a shared vision in an environment of diverse stakeholders and interests. + Analyze and synthesize engagement results to create a workable plan of action. + Independently ensure compliance with planning requirements in a consistent and equal manner to enforce the "intent" of the requirement or regulation; i.e., to achieve attractive and quality development that is in the public interest, demonstrate flexibility, and the ability to identify or be open to creative solutions where appropriate. + Perform complex professional planning work with a minimum of supervision and make independent investigation of assigned cases and issues. + Conduct and analyze planning studies and present the findings in an understandable manner. + Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. + Make oral presentations of staff recommendations. + Manage a varied workload. + Accurately interpret and explain development regulations. + Exercise good judgment in determining when issues require involvement of supervisors. + Work under pressure and meet established deadlines. + Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of the work. + Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance. + Regularly take initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies. The City of Lacey understands the importance of benefits and offers a competitive and full benefits package for all regular full-time employees. Generally, represented employees may receive some, or all, of the benefits listed below, based on their union contracts. Those employees should consult their union agreements for specific information about their benefits, which can be found on the City web page here (http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/human-resources/union-contracts-and-policies) . Medical Insurance Benefits: + Medical - Choice of Regence BlueShield (PPO) or Kaiser Permanente (HMO) plans offered through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Trust. The employer pays 100% of employee's monthly premiums and 90% of qualified dependent/domestic partner's premiums. + Vision - VSP with low co-pays + Dental - Choice of Willamette or Delta Dental plans and orthodontia coverage. + Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Program that provides resources to employees, their immediate family (including dependent children) and anyone living in the employee's household. The EAP can provide help with matters such as stress/anxiety, parenting, grief, workplace issues, legal services, financial services, and more. Life Insurance & Long Term Disability & Accidental Death and Dismemberment + Employer paid life insurance plan + Employer paid long term disability plan + Employer paid accidental death and dismemberment plan Leave Benefits: + Vacation (which increases with years of service) + 96 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Non-Supervisory Employees, LPOG Represented Employees + 128 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis After Second Year of Employment for LPMA Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees + 135 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Supervisor or Management Employees + 11 Paid Holidays + Floating Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays for Non-Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees + 1 Floating Holiday for LPOG & LPMA Represented Employees + 8 Hours Sick Leave on Accrual Basis Per Month + Jury Duty/Military Leave + Bereavement Leave *All benefits and accruals outlined in collective bargaining agreements can be found here: Policies, Union Contracts, Pay & Benefits - City of Lacey (https://cityoflacey.org/union-contracts-policies-pay/) Investment and Retirement Programs: + State retirement pension plan - Includes employer paid contributions to the State of Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) + 457 Deferred Compensation (voluntary)- two options MissionSquare and DRS + Social Security benefit (for Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) covered staff) - Our Employee Benefits include employer paid contributions to Social Security and Employees pay the employee portion of Social Security tax. + HRA/VEBA plan- A designated monthly amount (a City and/or employee contribution) is paid into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA account. An HRA is a type of health plan savings account for your family's medical care expenses and premiums, which can be accessed during employment with the City or saved and used at separation or retirement. + 1-2% Benefit - Employer provides contributions between 1-2% (depending on position type) of your monthly salary pre-tax towards two options; 1) applied to insurance premium amount owed for dependent coverage or invested into a 457 deferred compensation account; OR a cash disbursement amount applied to your check monthly but the amount is taxed. Voluntary Benefits: + Optional plans for additional life insurance, disability, and accident coverage + Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan - employees can contribute pre-tax contributions toward IRS allowed, qualifying medical and/or daycare expenses. Wellness Program: + The City has a robust employee Wellness program that offers a variety of resources and activities for employee well-being. Flexible Working Arrangements: + In recognition of Commute Trip reduction efforts, the City of Lacey provides flexible and alternative work schedules for many of our workforce positions. + City Hall is within minutes driving from I-5 Exit 108, and within walking/biking distance from Park and Ride Transit Martin Way Location and the Chehalis Western Trail. Tuition Reimbursement: + The City promotes a learning environment and encourages opportunities for employees to continue to grow in their positions and careers. The City offers tuition reimbursement (as outline in City Personnel Policies) for eligible employees. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF): + Employees are also eligible to apply to The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program is a United States government program that was created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 to provide indebted professionals a way out of their federal student loan debt burden by working full-time in public service. *Note: Regular part-time employees may be eligible for pro-rated benefits (medical/dental/vision) depending on the hours of work assigned to the position. Their spouses and dependents are not eligible for health insurance coverage.