Principal Planner

Overview

The City of Duvall is excited to announce an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of our community and our Community and Economic Development Department. We are restructuring our Planning team to include a Principal Planner and are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking planning professional to lead and supervise a team. As a key member of our small but important municipal department, you’ll have the chance to make a big impact.

Our next Principal Planner will bring fresh ideas, guide innovative projects, and help create a vibrant, sustainable city for generations to come.

• Leading complex planning initiatives that shape land use, growth, and development.
• Collaborating with friendly and dedicated colleagues, passionate community members, and caring elected leaders.
• Driving creative solutions for housing, transportation, and environmental stewardship.

Come to Duvall where you will be inspired by our beautiful setting, our small-town charm, and a work environment where your talent, contributions, and ideas will be recognized.

Salary for the Principal Planner position is $116,718-$143,555. The City offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Dual insurance incentive (in place of participation in City-offered coverage)
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave
• Annual paid executive administrative leave
• City-funded life insurance policy
• Participation in the WA State Department of Retirement Services Pension and 457 plans
• Other voluntary benefits options

Under the general direction of the Community and Economic Development Director, the Principal Planner performs advanced professional and managerial planning work related to community development, redevelopment, long-range planning, and zoning. This position is responsible for leading major planning initiatives and serves as a technical expert on complex development proposals, strategic policy work, and long-range planning. The Principal Planner exercises a high level of independent judgment in applying advanced planning principles, practices, and techniques.

The position requires extensive collaboration with City management, Engineering, elected officials, community organizations, developers, consultants, and the public to ensure that development activities align with the City’s vision, Comprehensive Plan, and Land Use Regulations. The Principal Planner functions as a leader within the Community and Economic Development team, providing guidance to other planners and contributing to departmental leadership. The Principal Planner is expected to take ownership of critical projects and may perform duties of lower-level planning positions when needed to support department operations.

A key responsibility of the Principal Planner is enhancing the city’s public realm by translating urban and placemaking principles into tangible projects that promote walkability, livability, and the Comprehensive Plan s goals.

Applications will be reviewed as received. The position is open and continuous until it is filled. First round interviews are expected to occur at the beginning of March.

Reports to:

Community and Economic Development Director

The Principal Planner position is clearly distinguished from the Senior Planner position by the higher level of responsibility for recommending and/or managing programs as the lead professional staff for the assigned responsibility area, and for acting decisively and independently in those areas. The position may serve as Acting Planning Manager during the Director’s absence.

All responsibilities listed in this section are considered essential job functions.