Senior Planner (COM 3)

Position Duties

• Technical Assistance to Assigned Jurisdictions in the Western Region Tasks include: • 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 Western Region outside of a submittal to the state for review, then independently determine appropriate level of technical assistance and respond accordingly. • Determine existing need then communicate with supervisor about alleviating temporary plan review workflow and bottleneck issues as they arise. • Develop and maintain an ongoing professional relationships with staff in assigned jurisdictions such as scheduling phone calls and/or attending meetings. • Assist program coordinators in the coordination of GMA Short Courses, Planners’ Forums or conferences, meetings and training opportunities in assigned jurisdictions. Assistance may include but is not limited to presenting the content of the short course, identifying topics of interest and securing suitable speakers for planner forums. Technical Specialty Assistance Tasks include: • Serve as the GMS unit’s designated subject matter expert on one or more GMA-related topics. Examples of GMA technical specialty topics may include but are not limited to rural lands, transportation, critical areas, resource lands, urban growth areas, housing, capital facilities, climate change, economic development, buildable lands, and essential public facilities. • When requests for technical assistance related to the GMA technical specialty 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 technical specialty area(s), as assigned; this may include drafting testimony to the legislature. • Serve as the lead for rulemaking as it pertains to the technical specialty. • Travel to on conferences, forums, or workshops to present on technical specialty. Report observations, questions received and/or recommend improvements based on feedback to Western Regional Manager. Managing Grants, Loans, and Contracts Tasks include: • Provide contract management for Growth Management and/or other planning grants administered by Commerce. • Develop, negotiate, and monitor financial packages for local governments, including a scope of work and a budget. • Oversees, reviews and approves the expenditure of funds and the adequacy of deliverables against the contracted scope of work and budget. Plan Review Backup Support Tasks include: • Analyze and review comprehensive plans, critical areas ordinances and development regulations from counties and cities in Washington State, outside of assigned jurisdictions, in order to alleviate temporary plan review backlogs experienced by the Western Team, Eastern Team, and/or GMS unit during periodic update cycles or at other times as needed. • Use independent, critical thinking to determine appropriate plan review comments, as needed, and prepare letters or other communication and feedback to local governments on items reviewed. • Determine existing need then communicate with supervisor about alleviating temporary plan review workflow and bottleneck issues as they arise.

Required Position Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below: Experience working in local or regional government planning in two or more of the following areas or work related to the position: • Implementation of state or federal requirements • Contract management, particularly those funded with state grants or loans • Policy research Education involves urban and regional planning or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience. Examples of how to qualify: • 7 years of experience • 6 years of experience and one year of education • 5 years of experience and two years of education • 4 years of experience and three years of education • 3 years of experience and four years of education • 2 years of experience and five years of education • 1 year of experience and six years of education Preferred/Desired Qualifications: • Experience with Washington State planning and plan implementation procedures. • Specialized training or experience related to a GMA technical specialty. • Experience with administration of state or federal grants for planning. • Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), or ability to obtain AICP certification within two years of appointment. Required Position Competencies: • Strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA), 36.70A RCW. • Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office Suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook • Displaying Professional Expertise: o Keeps their technical skills current; effectively applies specialized knowledge and skills to perform work tasks; understands and masters technical skills, knowledge, and tasks associated with their job; shares technical expertise with others. o Allocates time and attention based on what is most important to achieve key goals and objectives. Effectively organizes and balances tasks and priorities to keep multiple projects on track. o Handles uncertain situations professionally and reasonably; recognizes that ambiguity is inevitable in some processes and accepts that some risks must be taken to make progress. • Thinking Critically: o Effective at thinking through complex problems and information, using traditional and innovative approaches, to identify effective solutions. Seeks to accept and build off the ideas of others for solutions others may not have considered. o Makes confident, timely, fact-based, decisions drawing on a broad range of resources. Acts on decisions with a sense of calculated risk-taking. Ensures others understand the decision before moving forward. • Communicating Effectively: o Shares information. Listens and involves others. Clearly conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message. o Changes interpersonal style and approach based on circumstance or audience; works hard with all kinds of people and workgroups; does not judge others. o Customer Focus - Provides timely and professional service to both internal and external customers; is responsive to customer needs and requests; is always courteous to the customer and considers the needs of the customer when making decisions. o Creating and Maintaining Networks - Makes strong impressions; forms lasting relationships; has a positive and kind demeanor. To be considered for this position the following are needed: A complete and detailed online application. A cover letter (enter online). At least three professional references (enter online). For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.
• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

Other Qualifications

• This position may be located anywhere within Western Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule. In-state or out of state travel may be necessary to attend and/or support meetings and conferences. Regular travel to meet with and assist assigned jurisdictions is required This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov . Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.
• In-state or out of state travel may be necessary to attend and/or support meetings and conferences.

Benefits

• More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website . The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs . Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems ' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information . Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in WAC 357-58-175 , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 01-07-2026

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