Principal Subarea Planner (Project/Program Manager IV)
- Summary
The Subarea Planner works under the supervision of the Division Director of Permitting and the Director of the Local Services Department, as well as in partnership with key staff members in several other departments and agencies, to manage regular updates and on-going performance monitoring of planning subareas in the unincorporated areas of King County. The Subarea Planner necessarily works in a collaborative manner with the public and subject matter experts to generate ideas, perform research and analysis, and to develop recommendations; but on a day-to-day basis works with a high degree of collaboration to produce reports, plans, and other products. The Subarea Planner has many years of higher-level career experience working directly on high-profile, time-sensitive, politically-charged, and/or innovative land use policies and projects. This position requires the incumbent to have meaningful, demonstrable experience working with community members to craft forward-thinking land use policies and codes for both Urban and Rural community service areas. In urban communities, the successful applicant will have a demonstrated record of working with communities of color and developing plans that engage historically under-represented communities, and that reflect the long-term goals and objectives of those communities in a meaningful way. Subarea planning resides in the Department of Local Services, but the work must be closely coordinated with the Permitting Division and the County's Office of Regional Planning. This position may require evening and weekend meetings and presentations to the public, legislative bodies, hearing bodies, and other agencies. The position may also require coordination with staff within the department to facilitate code reviews and analysis, craft text, and plan for and monitor legislative actions. The incumbent must work constructively with the public, other departments, the King County Council, the Office of the King County Executive, and other jurisdictions.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
King County is the local service provider for roughly a quarter-million people who live in unincorporated parts of the county. If all of these residents lived together in a single city, it would be the second-largest city in the state. The population of our urban unincorporated areas is three-to-four times more diverse than those of our rural unincorporated areas in terms of race, language spoken, and income. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, a Community Service Areas group, a Road Services Division, and a Permitting Division. It provides a single point of accountability for delivery of local services to all unincorporated areas in King County.
- Job Duties
- Implement the County's subarea planning program for unincorporated areas; review, analyze, and potentially refine established subarea planning processes.
- Keep abreast of land use activities, trends, and key issues in the unincorporated areas.
- Coordinate closely with the Office of Regional Planning.
- Collaboratively conduct research and analyses based upon demographic, financial, and/or geographic information system data.
- Author documents or portions of documents that are clear, accurate, and economical.
- Work with communities of color to develop plans that engage historically under-represented communities, and that reflect the long-term goals and objectives of those communities in a meaningful way.
- Manage individual work time to meet deadlines and accommodate a fluctuating work load.
- Serve as a technical resource for others in the organization about subarea planning generally and also the content of specific plans.
- Develop or assist in developing code and plan amendments that bring greater relevance or improve departmental processes or systems; support ad hoc long-range planning assignments.
- Work with department staff to craft and review new or amending legislation for codes, ordinances, policies, reports, and documents.
- Work with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and County Council staff to help resolve legal issues and questions that arise from proposed legislation.
- Help ensure compliance and consistency between the policies in the Comprehensive Plan and regulations in related documents; assist with Comprehensive Plan updates as directed.
- As assigned by the Director, provide staff support to interdepartmental or inter jurisdictional teams; provide staff support to community outreach efforts.
- Work cooperatively with others in the department or in other agencies to resolve project- and process-related issues.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
- Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent.
- Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
- Respond to inquiries from county residents.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Seven years of professional long-range planning experience.
- Ability to read interpret, and analyze plans, policies, and regulations; knowing when to reach out for assistance from supervisor or other professionals.
- Demonstrable experience developing long-range plans and completing project management assignments.
- Experienced working with people from diverse backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
- Experience with building and land use policies and regulations in an agency or agencies that has/have complex rural and urban issues, sophisticated regional initiatives, and diverse inter jurisdictional relationships.
- Experience developing, writing, amending, interpreting, and recommending building and land use regulations and documents concerning urban, rural, and resource issues.
- Ability to understand the implications of new information for current and future problem solving and decision-making; and to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths, weaknesses, alternatives, intended and unintended consequences, and whether proposals comply with policy, laws and regulations.
- Experience advocating recommendations or positions to elected officials.
- Extensive experience working with the Washington State Growth Management Act, the Washington Shorelines Act, and the State Environmental Policy Act.
- Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and partnerships across boundaries and with different interests.
- Strong familiarity with land use legal theory and principles; ability to identify legal issues, impacts and risks; knowing when to reach out to legal or other professionals.
- Superior technical and non-technical writing skills; advanced skill in adjusting written communication for varying audiences.
- Clear and effective communication skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; ability to provide accurate and concise oral presentations.
- Advanced familiarity with growth management legislation and laws pertaining to comprehensive planning.
- Skill in problem solving with effective solutions.
- Master's degree in planning or a related field.
- Demonstrable track record of success with complex, high-profile, and/or time-sensitive projects.
- Professional long-range planning experience in a rural context.
- Advanced experience in making presentations to legislative bodies, jurisdictional partners, and the public.
- Experience drafting legislation.
- Knowledge of the King County government, its mandates and functions and familiarity with the regional and local policy issues and challenges that affect King County.
- American Institute of Certified Planners accreditation.
- Proficiency in a second language.
- Supplemental Information
Interviews are scheduled for Monday, July 29, 2019. Please make yourself available to interview on this day.
If you are selected as a finalist you will be asked to come back on Monday, August 5, 2019 for a second interview. Please make yourself available to interview on this day.
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:- Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely throughout the County.
- Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
- Must be able to use office equipment and software.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salaried, exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime-eligible. The position is paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour work week. The normal work week is 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position may be required to work extended and/or flex scheduled hours to respond to service needs and fluctuating work demands.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply for this career opportunity, you must provide four application components: 1) your resume, 2) a cover letter, 3) a completed King County application form, which is available online, and 4) an example of a staff report written by the applicant. You may attach your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to the on-line application. To apply, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs then click the "Current King County Employment Opportunities" link. From there, click the "Principal Subarea Planner" position for the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. Finally, click the "Apply" link on the far right to initiate the application.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS: Applicants who are found to meet the minimum qualifications will be further reviewed for competitive quality. Those applicants who possess the most competitive background in directly related experience, knowledge, and training may be contacted for interviews. Job-related reference checks will be conducted prior to any offer of employment.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Theresa Reynolds
Senior Human Resource Analyst
206-477-0380
theresa.reynolds@kingcounty.gov
King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. The Department of Local Services encourages people of all back grounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (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.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.