Principal Planner (COM4

Principal Planner (COM4)

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local governments and community-based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. It also provides grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities.

This position works within the Growth Management Services (GMS) Unit of LGD. This position serves as the state’s technical expert on the periodic update process required by RCW 36.70A.130 and provides advanced expert level program administration, technical assistance, policy and regulatory guidance. It also provides technical assistance to counties and cities in Washington State through the review of comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations on a statewide basis ensuring the GMS Plan Review system does not develop a backlog of review work.

This position is based in Eastern Washington and requires travel throughout a jurisdictional assignment in SE Washington.

• Serve as the GMS unit’s designated statewide subject matter expert on one the periodic update process of the GMA per RCW 36.70A.130.
• Develop and maintain the GMS unit’s guidance and checklists related to the periodic update process.
• Develop, schedule and coordinate informational workshops on the update of comprehensive plans, development regulations, and critical areas ordinances pertaining to the periodic update and other topics. Seek out technical experts to present on relevant topics. Schedule and advertise the workshops.
• Advises on requests for technical assistance related to the GMA periodic update (RCW 36.70A.130) are received, independently determine needs then provide appropriate technical assistance concerning the request. Requests may be received from any Washington county, city, or other stakeholders on issues related to the assigned technical specialty/specialties.
• Complete and draft legislative bill analyses related to the periodic update, as assigned; this may include drafting testimony to the legislature.
• Serve as the lead for rule making as it pertains to the periodic update.
• Travel to conferences, forums, or workshops to present technical specialty topics. Report observations, questions received and/or recommend improvements based on feedback to Eastern Regional Manager.

• Review and analyze comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances, and development regulations submitted to the state for review by assigned jurisdictions and provide technical assistance related to those submittals as needed.
• Use independent, critical thinking to determine appropriate technical assistance and, as needed, provide plan review comments and prepare letters or other communication and feedback to local governments on items reviewed.
• When requests for GMA-related technical assistance are received from assigned jurisdictions in the Eastern Region outside of a submittal to the state for review, then independently…