Temporary Associate Planner

The Associate Planner serves as a mid-level professional planner. Implements the mission of the Department in order to assure the orderly growth of the City. Undertakes and coordinates professional planning services for a broad range of planning activities involving processing of discretionary and ministerial development applications, long-range comprehensive and neighborhood planning, drafting of development regulations, collection and analysis of geographic and socioeconomic data, and providing public information about City planning policies, regulations, and activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Associate Planner is a mid-level professional planner, between the Planner and Senior Planner job classifications. This position works under limited supervision. The incumbent plans detailed methods to attain desired objectives working within established policy. Methods require use of initiatives and resourcefulness in developing processes and procedures.

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 development proposals requiring discretionary City approval, for example: land use permits, Planned Unit Developments and subdivisions, including some complex and controversial projects. Reviews proposals for compliance with zoning and related regulations and comprehensive plan policies, coordinates with other departments, prepares written staff reports and makes recommendations for decision makers.
• Reviews and issues formal decisions on Design Review applications.
• 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. Makes decisions on behalf of the Department about ministerial development permit applications' compliance with regulations and policies.
• May prepare policies, regulations, and implementing programs influencing the growth and development of the City. Conducts research, prepares options, makes recommendations, and drafts proposed amendments to planning and regulatory documents such as: the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Shoreline Master Program, Subdivision Ordinance, and Kirkland Municipal Code. Develops and implements public involvement programs.
• May manage demographic data and geographic information systems.
• Represents the Department at public meetings hosted by the City, developers, and civic groups.
• Presents staff reports at public meetings before the Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, and City Council.
• Reviews development proposals and planning projects and uses professional judgment to evaluate the 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, and at meetings - regarding the City's land use regulations and policies.
• 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.

• 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 Officer, including code analysis and site visits.
• Represents the department on interdepartmental service teams and technical groups.
• Collects and analyzed demographic, land use and related data. May manage automated mapping, database, and geographic information systems.
• May represent the department and City by participation in regional or other interagency study committees or task forces.
• May serve as project manager and prepare staff recommendations for annexation.
• May serve as specialist for the department in areas of expertise (i.e., code publishing, housing, wetlands, design, historic issues, etc.)
• May manage planning projects requiring oversight of the project work program and budget and coordination of consultants, other staff and citizen task forces or advisory committees.
• May assist the Director in preparation of Departmental budget, including the preparation of budget requests for planning projects.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and fearless innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional providers, available at a discount. New employees gain access to Kirkland's reserved spots as soon as they start employment. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing it's employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Thorough knowledge of planning practices and land use codes.
• Ability to analyze code provisions.
• Knowledge of one or more planning issues such as: urban design, transportation, housing, natural systems, economic development, computerized information systems, comprehensive planning, and land use regulation.
• Ability to organize and carryout a work program for long-range planning tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies and diverse groups.
• Ability to manage consultants, including hiring, developing contracts, and tracking contracts.
• 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: 1 year 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.

• AICP and/or master's degree in planning or closely-related field desired.
• Ability to perform site visits.
• 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. 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 for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be made by 15th day from original post date.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.