Planner (Surface Water Management)

This job posting is to fill one (1) position

and to create an eligibility register to fill future Planner positions.

Snohomish County is seeking a highly motivated Planner to work in the Surface Water Management Division of Conservation and Natural Resources. This position is responsible for inspecting over 160 commercial sites annually, evaluating source control best management practices (BMPs) at a variety of business types, providing technical assistance on county code and manuals, and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Municipal Stormwater Permit.

Core responsibilities include evaluating pollution generating sites, working effectively with business owners on pollution control strategies, developing business outreach and education campaigns, managing a GIS-based business inventory, inputting and analyzing inspection data using Cartegraph OMS, and generating reports for permit compliance. In addition, this role will provide planning support to the Drainage System Management workgroup, which may include research, writing and analyzing data, developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs), facilitating trainings, and preparing short and long-range work plans.

Preferred candidates have excellent interpersonal skills, and are able to communicate technical information to general audiences and build rapport with our diverse business community. They will enjoy working in the field independently. A background in water resources, environmental science, and/or stormwater regulations is preferred. Effective oral and written communication is essential.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

About Surface Water Management

SWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County. These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county. SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million.

SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations. SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems. We focus on four core areas of service:

• Drainage and road flooding

• Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes;

• Salmon and marine habitat; and

• River flooding

You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info. Our 2022 Highlights report is available here.

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals. Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info.

About Snohomish County

Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Benefits

Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth. We demonstrate this by offering a generous compensation package to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package. Our benefits include:

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county's contribution to this benefit is significant.

• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.

• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.

• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.

• Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.

• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.

• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.

• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.

• Flexible work schedules.

• Career development training.

Teleworking Options

The work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is also available.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: vicki.remtulla@snoco.org.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Serves as staff participant for assigned planning functions in the following disciplines; transportation, land, use, surface water, solid waste, or environmental science.

• Conducts research, data analysis, data management, and statistical modeling; responds to inquiries for plan, policy and code interpretations.

• Analyzes issues and develop planning and policy proposals; assists in formulating plans and regulations, and present policy and plan recommendations to policy makers and the general public. Helps to implement plans and regulations.

• Participates in monitoring plans and implementation strategies; contributes to amendments and revisions of plans as necessary.

• Participates in public meetings, hearings and council sessions for program, comprehensive plan, investigations, and code amendments; prepares input to staff reports, and recommendations; prepares graphics, displays, brochures, and oral and written presentations.

• Reviews and contribute to documents; reviews environmental assessments; reviews relevant plans, regulations and proposals by other agencies and jurisdictions.

• Provides information and guidance to citizens regarding environmental processes and related best management practices.

• Works with property and business owners to provide technical information regarding code interpretation, and advises the public of potential violations, compliance requirements and pollution prevention techniques.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Coordinates multi-agency site visits and meetings, coordinates referrals and follow-ups.

• Implements portions of public involvement and information processes; assists in support of county boards and committees; participates in county planning teams and processes.

• Provides customer service functions and technical assistance to groups and individuals.

A Bachelor's degree in urban planning, civil engineering, geography, sociology, political science, economics, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, hydrology, or public administration; AND, one (1) year experience in a related field; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Work related experience may be substituted for the required education or training on a year for year basis. Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• the principles and practices of urban planning or environmental sciences
• planning related procedures and standards
• research and data collection techniques
• county and state clean water and stormwater laws, regulations, and standards
• best management practices to prevent surface water pollution
• current literature, trends, regulations and developments in the urban planning or environmental fields

Ability to:

• gather, evaluate and document technical planning or environmental data
• read, interpret and apply legal documents and descriptions
• synthesize research and use these results as a basis for recommendations
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff and the general public
• operate personal computers and applied software packages, such as databases, and GIS
• read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies governing assigned duties
• communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds
• provide a strong customer service ethic
• interpret laws, codes, ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and equity
• work with a minimum of supervision

SUPERVISION

Employees in this class receive direction from a Principal Planner or Supervising Planner. The work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through meetings, periodic status reports and results obtained.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work is performed in the usual office environment with frequent field trips to locations throughout the county for the purpose of attending community meetings and coordinating program activities. The employee may be required to work evenings, weekend and holidays as necessary.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice