JOB DESCRIPTION

The Planning & Building Department is seeking applicants to join the Long-Range Planning team who have skills, experience, and passion surrounding community outreach and engagement; conveying complex information using visual and other tools; and working on transformative projects in a fast-paced environment.

Applicants who have experience with the below skills in a Planning context are strongly encouraged to apply:

• On-the-ground experience helping design and implement public engagement programs for controversial projects and arriving at good outcomes for the community;
• Graphic design skills and experience creating innovative, visually-interesting public outreach and communications materials;
• Data analysis, such as synthesizing data from multiple sources and communicating trends via visual tools like dashboards.

The Senior Planner implements the mission of the Department in order to assure the orderly growth of the City. Undertakes and coordinates professional planning services for a broad range of current and long-range planning activities involving comprehensive and neighborhood planning including drafting of original policy language and development regulations, processing of discretionary and ministerial development applications, collection and analysis of geographic and socioeconomic data, and providing public information about City planning policies, regulations, and activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Senior Planner is the most advanced non-supervisory professional planner in the Planner series. This position is expected to work independently. The Senior Planner manages the largest and most complex projects, involving oversight of consultants and coordination of staff teams and task forces. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to the Director and hearing bodies.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages large projects involving extensive writing in the preparation of policies, regulations, and implementing programs influencing the growth and development of the City. Conducts research, prepares options, makes recommendations, and drafts amendments to policy and regulatory documents such as: the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Shoreline Master Program, Subdivision Ordinance, and Kirkland Municipal Code. Oversees the project work program and budget. Leads a team of planners on major projects. Coordinates the work of other staff and community task forces or advisory committees. Develops and implements public involvement programs.
• Processes complex and controversial development proposals requiring discretionary City approval, for example: land use permits, Planned Unit Developments and subdivisions. Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments, prepares written staff reports, and prepares and delivers recommendations to appointed boards and commissions and decision makers.
• Prepares requests for proposals for professional services and participates in interviews and selection of consultants. Manages the work, contract, and budget of consultants.
• Reviews design review applications and makes recommendations to the Design Review Board. Issues formal decisions on Administrative Design Review applications.
• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the City, developers, and community groups.
• Prepares and delivers public presentations at public meetings and hearings before councils and commissions. Prepares and delivers public presentations of advisory body recommendations to the City Council.
• Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Works with individuals and interest groups to resolve disputes and facilitate consensus on issues pertaining to development permits and planning projects.
• Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials – over the telephone, at the counter, through email, in graphical format, and at meetings – regarding the City's land use regulations and policies.
• Represents the department and City by presenting at national and regional professional conferences or participation in other regional or interagency study committees or task forces. Informs Director and makes recommendations on policy positions.
• Serves as project manager and prepares staff recommendations for annexations.
• Serves as specialist for the department in areas of expertise (i.e., housing, land use, transportation, natural resources, building design, historic issues, etc.)
• Identifies need for funding to implement Comprehensive Plan policies or other tasks, and drafts budget requests for consideration by the City Council.
• Leads inter-departmental teams for special projects or to address requirements for other departments through changes to the Zoning Code or Comprehensive Plan policies.
• Ensures all notice requirements to state and regional agencies in advance of proposed changes to codes and policies are met.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.