Long Range Planning Division Manager (County Planning Manager)

Description

This position works in a hybrid work environment with the expectation of being in the office when needed. Travel to various work sites, businesses, and/or meeting locations is required.

Position Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

The Planning and Public Works (PPW) Department has an exciting opportunity that will put you at the forefront of regional and local planning for Pierce County! The Long Range Planning Division Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Long Range Planning Division and leading coordination efforts across multiple agencies and jurisdictions. This position guides regional planning efforts, drafts regulations for the development of urban and rural areas of the County, and implements strategies to maximize community engagement in the planning process.

Pierce County is a rapidly growing county with a diverse set of communities and natural areas! As an example of the long range planning efforts we are leading, check out our website. The long range planning portfolio includes the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan, updating our critical area regulations, area and corridor planning, historic preservation, agricultural planning, supporting various boards and commissions, and more. Come make a positive impact and be an active participant in the growth of Pierce County!

Why It's a Great Department:

Planning and Public Works (PPW) is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provide unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are responsible for the county road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works at www.piercecountywa.gov/ppw.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Strong leadership and project management skills, the ability to establish positive and strategic working relationships with regional, tribal, and local planning partners, and great public engagement skills will be key. Deep knowledge of Washington state planning policies and the ability to teach and mentor junior staff will be key. Ideally, we want a candidate who can foster teamwork and cultivate an environment of respect, trust, and fairness while balancing the needs of several high profile projects and competing interests amongst stakeholders. If you are ready to develop a culture of inclusion in the planning process within PPW, Pierce County Government, and with the citizens of Pierce County, then this is the job for you!

Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the Assistant Director of Planning and Public Works regularly to discuss expectations and set goals for your program and introduce you to the current projects, policies, and procedures, and become familiar with Pierce County Code. Pierce County offers a formal leadership training program for all supervisors and managers as well as opportunities for professional development throughout your career. Coaching and mentoring will be provided by other members of the PPW Senior Management Team, including the Assistant Director, the Deputy Director, and the Director of PPW to ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have frequent opportunities to work with the County Executive, County Council, and other community leaders to develop plans and regulations that help create a vibrant community that balances the demands of population growth with the need to protect precious natural resources while maintaining the economic viability of Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Act on behalf of the Department Director for assigned duties and delegated legal authorities for development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, shoreline management, and regional growth strategy.

• Serve as the County's subject matter expert on growth management and regional planning.

• Provide leadership to assigned division in executing the vision and mission of the department.

• Coordinate with tribes, state agencies, regional bodies, cities, towns, adjacent counties, and internal stakeholders regarding comprehensive land use planning, annexation, urban growth area boundaries, and other planning issues of regional significance.

• Evaluate policies and outreach programs, identify areas for improvement, and lead implementation of solutions to improve outcomes and advance the County's goals for responsible and equitable growth and economic development.

• Provide oversight of several boards and commissions including Planning Commission and various Land Use Advisory Commissions, including ensuring compliance with requirements for holding public meetings.

• Develop, propose, and review County regulations, ordinances, and resolutions; serve as a subject matter expert in the local legislative processes and procedures.

• Oversee the development of division's budget, grant proposals; administer and allocate funds within assigned cost centers.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Qualifications

• Additional education or related experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.

• Master's Degree in urban planning, public administration, government relations, community relations, or related field.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a combination of local, county, regional, or state planning, growth management and land use entitlements, environmental resource management, or related field which clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the functions of the position.

• Including five (5) years of supervisory or management-level experience overseeing a department, division, or section.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• A valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position is required.

• Meet the travel and/or vehicle operation requirements of the position.

• Work a flexible schedule, which may include responding to emergencies and taking calls outside of regular office hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays if needed.

Job Details:

• Physical location: 2401 S 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
• Salary: $105,339.38-$142,268.98 per year

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.

• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.

• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.

• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our Leadership Training Program, and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)

After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.

Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:

During years 1-3, 12 Days

During years 4-7, 16 Days

During years 8-13, 20 Days

During years 14-18, 23 Days

During years 19, 24 Days

During years 20, 25 Days

During years 21, 26 Days

During years 22, 27 Days

During years 23, 28 Days

During years 24, 29 Days

During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.

Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:

Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:

Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:

New Year's Day

• January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday

• Third Monday in January

President's Day

• Third Monday in February

Memorial Day

• Last Monday in May

Juneteenth

• June 19

Independence Day

• July 4

Labor Day

• First Monday in September

Veteran's Day

• November 11

Thanksgiving Day

• Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after

Christmas Day

• December 25

Personal Holidays:

Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:

Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:

Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the Pierce County Health Benefits website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:

Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:

All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Miscellaneous Benefits:

Please visit Pierce County's Benefits website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:

Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy here.

All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.

01

Please describe your highest level of education.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED

• High School Diploma or GED

• Associates Degree in urban planning, public administration, government relations, community relations, or related field

• Associates Degree in an unrelated field

• Bachelors Degree in urban planning, public administration, government relations, community relations, or related field

• Bachelors Degree in an unrelated field

• Masters Degree in urban planning, public administration, government relations, community relations, or related field

• Masters Degree in an unrelated field

02

How many years of relevant experience in a combination of local, county, regional, or state planning, growth management and land use entitlements, environmental resource management, or related field do you have?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 15 years
• 15 or more years

03

How many years of supervisory or management-level experience overseeing a department, division, or section do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 15 years
• 15 or more years

04

What is the size of the largest organization you have led?

• Less than 25
• 25 to 50
• 51 to 100
• 101 to 150
• More than 150

05

This recruitment requires a resume and a letter of interest highlighting why you're interested in this position. Not attaching both will result in an incomplete application. Did you include a resume and letter of interest with your application?

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Agency Pierce County

Address Pierce County Human Resources

2401 S 35th St, Rm 121

Tacoma, Washington, 98409

Phone (253) 798-7480

For Sheriff's Department positions: 253-798-6250

Website http://www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs