Temporary Senior Planner

Note: Salary range listed is based on the 2024 salary rate and subject to salary scale increases in 2025.

The City of Kirkland is looking for a Senior Planner to join the Current Planning division within the Planning and Building Department. This position will involve both development review and implementation of recent State legislative directives and City Comprehensive Plan policies through assisting with amendments to the City's Zoning Code and procedures. Candidates should demonstrate a history of navigating complex planning processes with stakeholders and other community members, along with extensive knowledge of zoning codes and planning policy and be prepared to provide examples of successful project management. Excellent public speaking, community engagement, and graphic communication skills are essential.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Planner is the most advanced non-supervisory professional planner in the Planner series. This position is expected to work independently. The Senior Planner manages the largest and most complex projects, involving oversight of consultants and coordination of staff teams and task forces. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to the Director and hearing bodies.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Processes complex and controversial development proposals requiring discretionary City approval, for example: land use permits, Planned Unit Developments and subdivisions. Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments, prepares written staff reports, and prepares and delivers recommendations to appointed boards and commissions and decision makers.
• Reviews design review applications and makes recommendations to the Design Review Board. Issues formal decisions on Administrative Design Review applications.
• Manages large projects involving extensive writing in the preparation of policies, regulations, and implementing programs influencing the growth and development of the City. Conducts research, prepares options, makes recommendations, and drafts amendments to policy and regulatory documents such as: the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Shoreline Master Program, Subdivision Ordinance, and Kirkland Municipal Code. Oversees the project work program and budget. Leads a team of planners on major projects. Coordinates the work of other staff and community task forces or advisory committees. Develops and implements public involvement programs.
• Prepares requests for proposals for professional services and participates in interviews and selection of consultants. Manages the work, contract, and budget of consultants.
• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the City, developers, and community groups.
• Prepares and delivers public presentations at public meetings and hearings before councils and commissions. Prepares and delivers public presentations of advisory body recommendations to the City Council.
• Reviews development proposals and planning projects for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Works with individuals and interest groups to resolve disputes and facilitate consensus on issues pertaining to development permits and planning projects.
• Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials - over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, in graphical format, and at meetings - regarding the City's land use regulations and policies.
• Represents the department and City by presenting at national and regional professional conferences or participation in other regional or interagency study committees or task forces.
• Informs Director and makes recommendations on policy positions.
• Serves as project manager and prepares staff recommendations for annexations.
• Serves as specialist for the department in areas of expertise (i.e., housing, land use, transportation, natural resources, building design, historic issues, etc.)
• Identifies need for funding to implement Comprehensive Plan policies or other tasks, and drafts budget requests for consideration by the City Council.
• Leads inter-departmental teams for special projects or to address requirements for other departments through changes to the Zoning Code or Comprehensive Plan policies.
• Ensures all notice requirements to state and regional agencies in advance of proposed changes to codes and policies are met.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs technical review of building and other ministerial development permits to ensure compliance with zoning and related development regulations, comprehensive plan policies, and conditions of approval for prior discretionary development permits.
• Prepares legal documents associated with development permits. Monitors maintenance and performance securities, including wetland mitigation and landscaping.
• Performs research tasks as assigned.
• Creates and/or revises administrative procedures to implement changes to policies and codes.
• Works with other members of the department in collaborative problem-solving and completion of tasks.
• Supports the Code Enforcement Officers, including code analysis and site visits.
• Represents the department on interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.
• Collects and analyzes demographic, land use, and related data. May manage automated mapping, database, and geographic information systems.
• May assist the Director in preparation of Departmental budget, including the preparation of budget requests for planning projects.
• Creates data-rich graphics that help the community understand complex planning concepts.
• Supervises Planning Interns or volunteers.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Ability to analyze and balance multiple highly complex issues and objectives in order to independently develop options and solutions to address them.
• Ability to manage the work program for large and complex, and often controversial, long term projects of major scope and importance with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead a group of planners for large and complex projects.
• Thorough knowledge of planning practices and land use codes.
• Ability to analyze code provisions.
• Advanced knowledge of planning issues such: urban design, transportation, housing, natural systems, economic development, computerized information systems, comprehensive planning, and land use regulation.
• Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies and diverse groups, helping community members understand complex ideas and fostering consensus-building.
• Ability to manage consultants, including hiring, developing contracts, and tracking contracts for complex long-range planning projects.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
• Ability to negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on planning issues.
• Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and permit tracking.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in planning or related field.
• Experience: 4 years of professional planning related experience.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• 2 years of project management preferred.
• AICP and/or master's degree in planning or a closely related field preferred.
• Ability to perform site visits desired.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Job involves desk work, which may be interrupted with phone and counter calls. Involves attendance at meetings in City Hall or off site and before or after normal working hours. Reports and correspondence are typically prepared at the computer terminal. This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards. Frequent site visits to building sites or vacant properties can involve rugged and dirty conditions.

Position requires a resume and cover letter (letter of interest) for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. This position is open until filled, with a first review date by the 15th day of initial posting.

Why Kirkland?