Planner, Government, Operations Manager

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced planner to assume a leadership role in shaping Kitsap County’s long‑term growth, development, and environmental outcomes. The Planner 3 position serves as a senior technical expert and project manager, leading complex, high‑profile planning initiatives that often involve sensitive policy issues, legal interpretation, and extensive public and interagency coordination.

There is also an opportunity to underfill the position as a Planner
2. This would allow a skilled and motivated planner to contribute to meaningful community development work while continuing to grow professionally. The Planner 2 role operates at a project‑lead level on moderately complex planning initiatives that directly shape land use, environmental stewardship, housing, and growth management across Kitsap County.

Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) is nationally recognized for planning excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. With award‑winning comprehensive planning efforts and a strong culture of professional development, DCD offers a compelling opportunity for senior planners seeking leadership influence, career advancement, and lasting community impact.

• Lead and direct complex planning initiatives by serving as a subject matter expert and providing technical leadership to Planner I/II staff and support personnel across multiple concurrent projects.
• Drive the research, interpretation, and application of complex and interrelated data, policies, laws, codes, and legislation to inform high‑level planning, development review, and policy decisions.
• Design, manage, and implement higher‑complexity planning projects with multiple dimensions, coordinating schedules, deliverables, and priorities across departments and partner agencies.
• Lead updates to County policies, codes, and plans, including community, neighborhood, transportation, and long‑range plans, in response to regulatory changes, State requirements, and direction from the Board of County Commissioners.
• Manage and coordinate interdepartmental and interagency collaboration, facilitating meetings, technical review sessions, and public processes to advance planning and capital projects.
• Serve as program or project manager for multiple complex initiatives, aligning planning efforts with capital investment priorities and County strategic objectives.
• Direct the development and implementation of transportation, environmental, and natural resource programs, including grant‑funded initiatives supporting asset management, habitat and ecosystem protection and recovery, and climate resiliency.
• Establish funding guidelines and priorities for planning and development programs; lead grant development, application, and compliance, managing budgets and reporting requirements.
• Act as a senior technical resource by identifying deficiencies, evaluating alternatives, and monitoring projects through implementation and post‑implementation performance.
• Negotiate, administer, and oversee consultant and interagency contracts and agreements, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and performance expectations are met.
• Navigate complex planning issues by acting as a mediator and negotiator, balancing public and private interests while achieving equitable solutions aligned with County policies and goals.
• Investigate, prepare, and finalize complex and sensitive planning documents, including policies, ordinances, comprehensive plans, and subarea plans.
• Direct advanced research and analysis, preparing defensible reports and recommendations to support planning decisions and regulatory actions.
• Present and communicate complex planning information through professional reports, presentations, and public testimony to the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, advisory bodies, and community stakeholders.

• Lead and apply complex planning research, data, policies, laws, codes, and regulations to support development review, long‑range planning, and regulatory decision‑making.
• Design, review, and implement moderately complex planning projects, including policy updates, community and…