There is one Planner III opening with the Yakima County Public Services, Planning Division.

This position provides experienced professional planning expertise and recommendations on routine to complex projects and other assignments; performs a broader range of skilled and professional duties under supervision of a Section Manager; acts as a resource for Section or Division within area(s) of expertise; participates in plan and regulatory updates; special studies, public outreach and education efforts related to land development and long range growth management planning; instructs others in methods or procedures needed to carry out their work on assigned projects or area of specialization.

The Planner III is capable of working independently with minimal supervision or direction.

Pay Range: $34.10 - $43.25 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-13)

Hiring Range: $34.10 - $36.19 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: February 4, 2025

Note: This is a Yakima County Public Services Department Clerical, Technical & Professional Employees Group Bargaining Unit Position.

Essential Duties:

Development and Maintenance of Plans, Programs and Regulations

Performs or assists with a broader range of professional planning tasks.

Drafts and assists in preparing goals, policies, planning, programming regulatory and and/or non-regulatory options and updates, and other project assignments for review by Section/Division management or others.

Researches, performs or participates in policy and technical analysis of subdivision, zoning, regulatory framework and other land development issues.

Reviews plans, policies, programs and projects submitted by other divisions, departments, agencies and jurisdictions for consistency with adopted County plans and codes within area of responsibility;

Serves as contact with other sections, divisions, departments and agencies on assigned programs or special projects.

Assists in preparing Section or project level work programs and processes within allocated budget.

Provides technical instruction to planners and other staff in area of specialization.

Develops and/or uses GIS coverages for project assignments.

Drafts grant applications to support Section, Division and Departmental programs.

Schedules, coordinates, collects, assembles and prepares data, projections and reports.

Policy and Technical Assistance

Provides policy advice and technical assistance to the public, agencies and county staff relating to: plans, policies, ordinances, standards, regulatory and non-regulatory programs, federal and state statutes and administrative codes governing land development, environmental protection and growth management, within area(s) of assignment or expertise.

Public Outreach

Develops, coordinates and participates in public education/outreach efforts and special studies related to land use, environmental and natural resource planning issues and other program or project assignments.

Organizes, facilitates and participates in meetings, group discussions, forums and open houses.

Presents technical information through reports, GIS coverages and other maps, graphics, newsletters and news releases.

Speaks before boards and commissions, the public, citizen groups and professional organizations.

Ensures the availability of relevant public information on Section programs, projects and activities via the website.

Responds to media inquiries as directed.

Development Project Review

Under general supervision of a Section Manager:

Performs, conducts or assists with planning analyses related to processing of routine to more complex development project applications.

Participates in early assistance meetings with customers, providing feedback on project feasibility, approvals required, cost and timeline estimates.

Represents the Planning Division on Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT), making agreements, decisions or commitments for the Section within the regulatory framework for an assigned project.

Provides technical guidance as needed by project coordinators in reviewing applications for completeness and preparing public notice.

Prepares or drafts SEPA threshold environmental determinations and appropriate mitigation measures to address identified environmental impacts for consideration and approval by the SEPA Responsible Official.

Utilizing MDT, agency and neighborhood comments, evaluates projects and recommends options and conditions for ensuring the project's consistency with applicable plans, policies, regulations, standards and criteria.

Prepares the Planning Division's final written analyses, findings and conditions for inclusion in the MDT project decision or recommendation within timelines established by Section Managers, project coordinators and the project team.

Represents the MDT position to various hearing bodies, as assigned.

Other duties required.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management or a field directly related to the area(s) of assignment AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience (including related internships), demonstrating knowledge and experience in one or more areas within the Planning field related to the area of assignment, including: Environmental Planning (SEPA, Critical Areas/Shorelines and Natural Resources) Transportation Planning, Current Planning (Subdivision and Zoning), and Comprehensive Long Range Planning; OR any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

*A Masters' Degree may substitute for one year of experience.*

Required:

• a valid US Drivers' License at time of appointment; and,
• successful completion of a general employment verification.

Preferred:

• Bilingual in Spanish; Experience with Washington State land use and environmental protection law;
• specialized training in environmental or natural resource issues, projects (SEPA, GMA, Critical Areas, Shorelines); and,
• additional degrees, professional certifications, recognition, awards and licenses that demonstrate acquisition and application of the required knowledge, and abilities to be successful in this position.