Senior Planner; COM

Senior Planner (COM
3)

This position is part of the Local Government Division (LGD) Climate & Ecosystem Section within the Growth Management Services Unit. The role provides technical assistance, grants management, and strategic support to local governments, nonprofits, and community‑based organizations to implement climate change and ecosystem services initiatives as outlined in Washington State’s Growth Management Act.

• Serve as the GMS unit’s subject matter expert on climate change and ecosystem issues.
• Determine needs and provide technical assistance to local stakeholders.
• Identify and solve problems, seeking input from peers and supervisors as needed.
• Speak on behalf of the agency in public meetings.
• Analyze proposed legislative bills related to the Growth Management Act, assess impact, and draft testimony.
• Contribute to internal rule‑making work groups with policy recommendations.
• Conduct technical literature reviews, interviews, data collection, and analysis to produce reports.
• Provide technical recommendations and presentations to federal, state, public, and private stakeholders.
• Assist program leadership in developing legislative policy proposals and decision packages.
• Lead and develop scope, methodology, benchmarks, milestones, and timetables for ecosystem planning projects.
• Analyze legislation, policy, or regulations to recommend priorities and policies.
• Provide technical assistance on comprehensive plans and development regulations from local governments.

• Conduct grant application and procurement processes, including RFP creation and proposal review.
• Develop, update, maintain, and analyze program evaluation spreadsheets and databases.
• Negotiate, draft, and execute grants and contracts and subsequent amendments.
• Ensure deliverables and expenditure of funds meet agency policy.
• Provide technical support to grantees and resolve programmatic conflicts.
• Conduct outreach and prepare communications to generate interest in grant programs.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to streamline processes and implement delivery improvements.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of state and federal grant and loan requirements.

• Provide support to Strategic Initiative Leads to implement EPA‑approved work plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state agencies to improve coordination.
• Advise Commerce on Puget Sound recovery needs and priorities related to growth management.

• Collaborate with GMS unit staff on developing guidance materials and supporting workshops.

• Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education.
• Experience in community, trade, or economic development in two or more of the following areas:
  • Local or regional government land use planning
  • Implementation of state or federal requirements translating statutes into local policies
  • Ecosystem policy research to inform planning and support climate‑resilient development
  • Contract Management for state grant or loan funded programs
• Education in urban or regional planning, geography, environmental sciences, engineering, political science, public administration/policy or a related field.
• Post‑high‑school education may substitute for experience on a year‑for‑year basis.

• Strong working knowledge of Washington State planning procedures, Growth Management Act, and Shoreline Management Act.
• Specialized training or experience in climate planning, ecosystem services, critical areas, or related technical specialties.
• Experience with administration of state or federal grants for planning.
• Expertise in land use and Washington environmental laws and rules.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to understand and respond to community and stakeholder interests.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, highly organized and detail‑oriented.
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook, and proficiency with remote work tools and…