TARGET HIRING RANGE: $84,641 - $101,569 ANNUALLY (DOQ)

Position Salary Range: $84,461 - $118,497
 

*Open position until filled*

GENERAL SUMMARY

Performs intermediate skilled technical work interpreting, monitoring, and administering local, State, and Federal regulations pertaining to planning, environmental and land-use related issues, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Planning Manager (supervisor).

CORE VALUES

All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Richland’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City. The values of Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence promote and maintain a high level of morale and productivity and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across all functions.

• Valid driver's license.

 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree with coursework in urban or regional planning, public administration, or related field and three (3) years of experience in current or long-range planning, design work, project management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs complex and comprehensive planning for current, long-range and other planning projects; conducts presentations to City groups and directs projects involving contractors.

• Reviews and edits plans and studies for Comprehensive Plan directives, objectives and policies; administers, interprets and monitors local, State and Federal regulations concerning zoning and building permit applications; processes and reviews short plats and subdivisions; assures proposals are consistent with related ordinances, zoning regulations and applicable State law requirements.

• Prepares goals, objectives and policy statements for boards and commissions to consider for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan; prepares descriptive text for various boards and commissions.

• Monitors, coordinates and provides project management oversight for preparation of Comprehensive Plan elements by various staff, committees, Boards and Committees; trains and provides work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.

• Reviews applications; prepares staff reports; presents oral staff recommendations to the Hearing Examiner, Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission; prepares and conduct presentations to City groups and meets with and coordinates projects with outside contractors.

• Researches, develops and recommends amendments to Richland Municipal Code regarding standards and policies for environmental, community development, shoreline, zoning and related matters; researches, develops and analyzes statistical data.

• Prepares and presents proposed developments to the Hearing Examiner, Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission and the public utilizing visual aids such as charts, maps and diagrams.

• Reviews projects for consistency with various ordinances, including State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Critical Areas Ordinance, and Shoreline Master Program. 

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.

• Principles and terms related to planning and building permits, land use theory and zoning requirements.

• Federal, State and local planning and environmental laws and ordinances.

• Demographics and population statistics.

• Policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.

• Research techniques.

• Basic math skills, including statistics.

• Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment.

• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.

• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

 
Skills and Abilities to:

• Learn, read, interpret, and apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Collect, prepare and analyze City demographic data.

• Read and interpret maps.

• Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately. 

• Understand and follow oral and written directions. 

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.

• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

• Operate a variety of modern office equipment and personal computers in a Windows computing environment using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned activities.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Provide continuous effort to improve operations and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service. 

Foundational

• Use Technical/Functional Expertise: Displays an appropriate depth of knowledge and skills as required for the position and commensurate with the time in class. Uses technology as appropriate for the position. Seeks additional knowledge and information to continually enhance knowledge in areas of specialty. 

• Be Accountable for Performance: Actively shows responsibility, reliability, and trustworthiness. Ensures work and information are complete and accurate. Admits mistakes and looks for ways to improve. Models self as dependable and reliable. Follows up with others to ensure agreements and commitments have been fulfilled. Values the importance of team and organizational success. Independently takes action to influence events, to improve own or organizational performance and to promote the goals of the organization.

• Provide Excellent Customer Service: Anticipates, assesses, and responds effectively to the needs of diverse customers, both internal and external, providing consistently excellent service that is timely, accurate, courteous, and respectful. 

• Communicate Effectively: Uses verbal and written skills effectively to ensure that information is successfully shared throughout the organization. Relates well to a range of people. Shows sensitivity to the needs of others. Demonstrates ability to build rapport and facilitates mutual understanding. 

• Work Safely: Knowledge and application of relevant safety requirements that apply to the specific work being done. Recognizes and mitigates safety hazards on the job. Observes rules and regulations to comply with personal and workplace safety standards. Works to create a hazard-free, accident-free environment. 

BENEFITS

Summary of City of Richland benefits for unaffiliated staff (non-represented employees):

Note: Unaffiliated staff (non-union employees) may receive some or all of the benefits listed below based on the Compensation Plan for Unaffiliated Employees (Comp Plan) with the City; consult the Comp Plan for specific information about position benefits.

Regular Full-Time (35 to 40 hr/week) Employee Benefits

• Excellent open access (preferred provider) medical plan with substantial City-paid contribution

• City-paid dental and vision plans

• City-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (equals two times the employee's annual salary)

• City-paid Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Participation in the State of Washington's Retirement Plan (PERS)

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 10 Paid Holidays

• 4% City-match deferred compensation with 457 and 401(a) plan options

  • Senior Management Level = additional 4% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan

  • Management Level = additional 3% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan

  • Supervisors or Exempt Level = additional 1% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan

• Extended Sick Leave (ESL)

• Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)

• City Paid and Employee Paid Retirement Health Savings Plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Annual Performance Assessment System

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Selection with be based on overall qualifications, skills testing (if applicable) and an interview process. Final candidate selected will be subject to a comprehensive background/reference check commensurate to the position.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job classification does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Richland and any employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.