Associate Planner

Overview

Are you ready to shape the future of our community? Join our team to guide land use, review plans, and make a real, lasting impact on the places people live, work, and play. As a mid‑level Planner position, between Assistant Planner and Senior Planner, this role performs routine professional activities supporting the administration of current planning programs. Work involves responding to public requests for information, assisting the public on zoning and land‑use inquiries, processing building permit applications, subdivision applications, site‑plan review, shoreline‑management permits, conditional‑use permits, zoning variances, and related project environmental review.

• Impactful Work:
  Every project you guide strengthens the heart of our community.
• Professional Growth:
  Access to continuous learning opportunities and career advancement.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  Health, dental, and vision insurance, FSA, retirement plans, and generous paid time off (vacation and sick).
• Collaborative Environment:
  Work with a dedicated and supportive team passionate about public service.
• Work‑Life Balance:
  Hybrid work schedules and a commitment to your well‑being; 14 paid holidays plus a floating holiday.

• Reviews permit applications for building, clearing, and grading, and tree removal, code violations, and accessory dwellings; approves plans, certifies compliance, and conducts follow‑up inspections.
• Identifies and confirms recorded plats, applicable land‑use, environmental, zoning, and design regulations; issues correction requests for code compliance including zoning, setback regulations, and environmental impact.
• Provides information to architects, engineers, planners, contractors, landowners, and others regarding city planning processes and timelines, land‑use, zoning, and community development projects.
• Assists in code development or long‑range planning activities including sub‑area planning, comprehensive plan amendments, or ordinance development that includes working with the Planning Commission.
• Processes and reviews moderately complicated land‑use permit applications such as shoreline exemptions, short plats and site plans, zoning variances, and conditional‑use permits. Reviews applications for code compliance including zoning, setback regulations, environmental impact, etc.
• Coordinates activities and assigned special studies with planning staff and other departments, county and state agencies, city advisory boards and consulting professionals; compiles information and prepares reports, images, and recommendations as requested.
• Performs site visits, assisting with inspections for various building permits and code enforcement cases; works with departmental staff, property owners, and developers to achieve compliance requirements.
• Prepares staff reports and recommendations for the Hearing Examiner, with moderate coordination with their supervisor; may attend public hearings regarding land‑use applications as a representative of the city, or to assist the assigned city representative as needed.
• Conducts research, compiles information, and makes recommendations on special studies.
• Provides written recommendations pertaining to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determinations for project permit applications.
• Assists in code development and/or simple long‑range planning activities including but not limited to, sub‑area planning, drafting amendments to the comprehensive plan, developing ordinances, and interacting with the City Planning Commission.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• May be required to attend evening and/or weekend meetings and events based on organizational responsibilities and/or requirements.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Bachelor’s degree in urban, city, or regional planning, or related field;…