Planning Supervisor

This position is open until filled, with a first review date of August 19, 2026.

The Planning Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily operations of current planning functions, including supervision of planning staff, administration of land use regulations, and review of development applications. This position serves as the City’s SEPA Official, administers the Shoreline Management Program and Flood Plain regulations, and ensures consistent and timely permitting in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Unified Development Code (UDC).

The Planning Supervisor provides professional guidance to applicants, staff, and the public to support orderly, compliant, and sustainable development within the City of Moses Lake.

• Serve as the City’s SEPA Responsible Official, including threshold determinations, review of environmental checklists, issuing environmental decisions, ensuring SEPA compliance, and coordinating with agencies and affected parties.
• Manage the contract with the hearing examiner(s). Coordinate and manage hearings; lead the preparation of all reports and materials for hearings. Provide staff support (including agenda preparation, minutes, meeting recordings, logistics, etc.) for Planning Commission meetings.
• Administer the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and flood plain regulations, ensuring development proposals within shoreline jurisdiction comply with state regulations, local SMP and flood plain standards, and RCW/WAC requirements.
• Oversee daily permitting and land use approvals in accordance with Chapter 15 UDC, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and timely processing of permits.
• Interpret and apply municipal codes, zoning regulations, subdivision standards, and related ordinances.
• Review, evaluate, and sign off on planning, zoning, and land use applications including site plans, conditional uses, variances, subdivisions, rezones, comprehensive plan amendments, and development agreements.

• Provide day to day leadership, direction, and oversight to staff assigned to the current planning function (i.e., planning permits), establishing clear expectations for professionalism, communication, customer service, and accountability.
• Exercise independent judgment in planning, coordinating, and prioritizing workflow to ensure reliable and timely permit processing, shoreline reviews, and SEPA determinations, maintaining responsibility for outcomes rather than hourly work time.
• Maintain consistent management presence and responsiveness; ensure staff understand work expectations, deadlines, and service levels for permit issuance and land use review functions. Leaders must remain accessible and responsive to operational needs.
• Model compliant leadership behavior by monitoring non exempt staff schedules, avoiding unauthorized overtime, ensuring meal/rest break adherence, and approving time worked consistent with FLSA.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and support to assigned staff; regularly evaluate performance, identify development needs, and address performance concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Adjust work priorities as emergent issues arise, ensuring continuity of service and compliance with regulatory timelines. The person in this position is expected to meet responsibilities, attend critical meetings, and maintain awareness of staff workload to prevent avoidable overtime for nonexempt employees.

• Provide professional assistance to developers, contractors, property owners, and members of the public.
• Facilitate pre-application meetings and assist applicants through the permitting process.
• Prepare staff reports, findings, and recommendations for the Planning…