Senior Planner (Project/Program Manager Iii)

Summary

The Department of Local Services, Permitting Division is hiring a Senior Planner (Project/Program Manager III). Senior Planners work under the supervision of a Product Line Manager to produce or help produce timely, accurate, quality reviews and approvals of land use and building permits. Working in a collaborative manner, Senior Planners work with a higher degree of independence. They apply their years of current planning experience to review a variety of permit types ranging from single-family projects to complex commercial or infrastructure projects, but may work more often on complex, high profile, and/or time-sensitive projects.

Senior Planners are responsible for carefully reviewing permit application plans and technical documents; working cooperatively with others in the department and in other agencies; and writing technical permit approval documents and staff reports that are clear, accurate, and defensible.

Senior Planners may assist in developing code amendments; participate occasionally in long-range planning assignments; and, as directed, may be a technical resource for and provide workflow guidance to other planners. An essential part of the job is to work positively and, in a solution-oriented manner with customers, their design/engineering professionals, other members of the public, and co-workers. Some presentations to the public, hearing bodies, and other agencies will be required on a periodic basis.

About the Department of Local Services:

King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.

To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to "True North" values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Job Duties

Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• As assigned by the Product Line Manager, review and potentially impose conditions upon land use and building permits according to applicable codes, laws, and policies.

• Author accurate and understandable permit language, technical documents, and staff reports that are consistent with applicable codes, laws, and policies.

• Manage individual work time to meet a fluctuating workload and achieve target review times. Serve as a technical resource for other planners in the department.

• As directed, assist in managing the workflow of other planners in the department, and help establish Standard Work practices for permit types.

• Develop or assist in developing code and plan amendments that bring greater relevance or improve departmental processes or systems; support ad hoc long-range planning assignments.

• Support pre-application conferences and assist with customer inquiries.

• Work cooperatively with others in the department or in other agencies to resolve permit- and process-related issues.

• Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service; to the extent possible, help applicants find the correct pathway to what the applicant wants to achieve.

• Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent.

• Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.

• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Advanced knowledge and experience in current planning.

• Ability to read and interpret plans, policies, and regulations; knowing when to reach out for assistance from supervisor or other professionals.

• Demonstrable experience with long-range planning assignments. Demonstrable supervisory experience of current planning professionals.

• Clear and effective communication skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; ability to provide accurate and concise oral presentations.

• Ability to help establish and commitment to work within a Standard Work framework in the department.

• Skill in providing customer service and training.

• Skill in handling multiple competing priorities and producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.

• Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Skill in problem solving with effective solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in planning or a related field.

• Demonstrable track record of success with complex, high-profile, and/or time-sensitive projects.

• Professional current planning experience in a rural context.

• Experience in making presentations to Hearing Examiners, legislative bodies, and the public. Frontline customer service experience.

• American Institute of Certified Planners accreditation.

Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle throughout the county.

• Must be able to traverse construction sites in any weather condition.

Supplemental Information

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview on July 26, 2024.

If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual interview on August 2, 2024.

This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months, including career service, short-term temporary (STT), term-limited temporary (TLT) and/or special duty assignment (SDA) opportunities for current King County career service employees who have passed their probationary period.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.

Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval or This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:

Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

Union Membership: PROTEC17

Teleworking Requirement:

The work associated with this position will be performed through a hybrid work schedule of teleworking, onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.) Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Vivienne Swai, HR Analyst, by email at vswai@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-477-1538.