Code & Policy Senior Planner (LTE)

Salary : $104,224.50 - $143,865.00 Annually

Location : Bellevue, WA

Job Type : Limited Term

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 24-00381

Department : Development Services

Division : DS Code Policy

Opening Date : 02 / 06 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 3 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

Job Summary

Bellevue is building the city of the future. Our welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused community attracts technology pioneers, outdoor enthusiasts, and family-focused professionals from around the world. At Bellevue, you will be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest, and being a part of the community vision. Our people bring unique skills and qualities to the table, embrace the values of honesty, accountability, and commitment to service, and take pride in the work they do. You will work in an environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future-focused are the status quo. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. It is what makes Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

We are looking for a Senior Planner to advance Council priorities, specifically related to land use code amendments to implement our recently adopted Comprehensive Plan and other Land Use Planning Initiatives. The position is limited term and anticipated to last up to three (3) years. This position is expected to partner and coordinate throughout policy planning and code development, as well as work closely with staff within and outside of the Development Services Department.

Bellevue's Development Services Department is part of is a multi-department Development Services line of business that offers one-stop shopping for general information and the permits needed for development activity in Bellevue and the surrounding service areas. We are code compliance officers, engineers, finance analysts, inspectors, planners, plans examiners, permit technicians, and support staff from the Development Services, Fire, Transportation, and Utilities departments. This position is a member of the Code and Policy team that works together with staff from other city departments in the development of city codes and regulations that unlock and guide future land uses that advance the City's vision. Currently, the Code and Policy team is busy with several major projects such as the Wilburton Vision Implementation, implementing amendments related to the City's Affordable Housing Strategy, amending the code to align with legislative changes, as well as multiple other code development efforts.

• This is a limited term position anticipated to last up to 3 years

Shaping the future of Bellevue : Meet Development Services -

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain familiarity with federal, state, regional planning policies and regulations; analyzing and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.

Maintaining appropriate records; collecting and assembling data on assisted developments.

Providing information to residents and community groups.

Work constructively in teams that span multiple departments and, at times, agencies, using communication and shared leadership skills to successfully collaborate and achieve multiple objectives.

Communicate effectively with peers, City Council, Planning Commission, and other stakeholders on planning issues in a manner that develops and maintains positive relationships and advances the understanding of the issues at hand.

Represent the City on various committees, at neighborhood organizations and community meetings, and at public hearings.

Be responsible for project outcomes.

Draft, process, and manage planning initiatives and amendments to the Land Use Code and other development regulations.

Gather, interpret, and prepare studies, analysis reports, and recommendations as part of the planning initiative and code amendment project or other needs.

Respond to changing Council priorities and economic development needs.

Coordinate and collaborate with, and train other planners, reviewers, Code Compliance, and other affected City staff in the development of such initiatives and amendments.

Coordinate and lead interdepartmental teams as necessary to achieve intended work program outcomes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED :

No formal supervisory responsibilities but may act as lead to other staff.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :

Five or more years of professional related experience in development and codification of implementing regulations, public policy formulation, and implementation of legislative action / relations.

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS :

Demonstrated skill to work independently yet inclusively with other City staff and stakeholders.

Ability to prepare regulatory code amendments that are understandable and defensible, reflect the vision of the Comprehensive Plan, community priorities, and achieve desired outcomes.

Proficiency to internalize and support the department's mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities, and departmental operations.

Knowledge of federal, state, regional, and local issues impacting the planning environment.

Proficiency in identifying emerging issues, developing and implementing new approaches; ability to anticipate and resolve problems before a crisis ensues.

Aptitude to maintain confidences and routinely handle extremely sensitive and political information; skill in human relations, diplomacy, tact, and negotiating.

Demonstrated skill for developing and maintaining productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, advisory boards, City department representatives, the news media, and the general public.

Ability to understand and navigate the City's political environment and sensitivities, and to function effectively within that environment.

Skill in researching complex issues, conducting complex administrative studies, and developing recommended actions. Ability to prepare informative reports and deliver persuasive, succinct presentations to senior management, elected officials, and other audiences.

Skill in effective, clear, and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.

Ability to think clearly and strategically and convey information in a clear, concise, and logical manner.

Proficiency in utilizing project management techniques.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and / or carry objects up to 40 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Flexible / Hybrid Working :

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

Limited Term Employee (LTE) : A fully benefited employee appointed to serve in a position scheduled to work a minimum of 30 hours a week for a specific project with a specific ending date which is anticipated to last more than five months but in no event longer than three consecutive years (36 months).

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is : Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note : Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions :

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans :

City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT) : Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.

Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP) : Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include :

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

Life / Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)

Survivor Income

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)

An ORCA Card bus pass

On-site fitness center, and self service food / coffee options

Career development and training programs

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE : This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

Do you have a degree in in public policy, public administration, law, urban planning, or related field?

Do you have five or more years' experience in public policy formulation, implementation, and / or legislative action?

If you said yes to the question above, please describe your experience(s).

Why are you interested in this position? How does your previous experience make you a qualified candidate?

Required Question

Salary : $104,225 - $143,865