In order to hire and maintain a quality workforce that reflects the diversity of the community and works well within our True North values-based organization, the Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services (DLS) is accepting applications for the career-service position of Environmental Planner (Project/Program II).

Planners work under the supervision of a Product Line Manager to produce or help produce timely, accurate, quality reviews and approvals of land use, development, and building permits. Planners work collaboratively and with some independence to review a variety of permit types that may include single-family, subdivision, commercial, or infrastructure projects. Planners are responsible for carefully reviewing permit application plans and technical documents; working cooperatively with others in the department and in other agencies; and writing or assisting in writing technical permit approval documents and staff reports that are clear, accurate, and defensible. An essential part of the job is to work positively and, in a solution-oriented manner with customers, their design/engineering professionals, other members of the public, and co-workers. The planner will be responsible for coordinating operations and tracking Already Built Construction (ABC) permits. Environmental Planners work will emphasize assisting with the Department’s implementation of Critical Area and Shoreline regulations, the State Environmental Policy Act, and related environmental policies, development standards, and procedures.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Serving as the Already Built Construction (ABC) zoning / land use resource for providing related technical expertise, information and processing of requests and applications.
• Scheduling meetings, ABC workload tracking, coordinate work of reviewers, preparing monthly reports, serving as a primary contact for customers, coordinating customer meetings, assisting with setting priorities and communication.
• Identifying ABC process problems and potential solutions that arise from regulatory issues, communication, workload management, schedules, and priorities.
• As assigned by the Product Line Manager, review and potentially impose conditions upon land use and building permits according to applicable codes, laws, and policies.
• Author or assist in authoring accurate and understandable permit language, technical documents, and staff reports that are consistent with applicable codes, laws, and policies; reach out for assistance from supervisor or other professionals as needed.
• Implementation and administration of King County’s State Shoreline Management Act Shoreline Regulations, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) policies and procedures and assist staff ecologists with coordination and administration of Critical Area regulations.
• Manage individual work time to meet a fluctuating workload and achieve target review times; seek direction from supervisor about project prioritization.
• Support pre-application conferences and assist with customer inquiries.
• Work cooperatively with others in the department or in other agencies to resolve permit- and process-related issues.
• Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service; work with others in the department, including supervisors, to help applicants find the possible and correct pathway to what the applicants wants to achieve.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban studies, environmental sciences, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in current planning (development review and permitting).
• Knowledge of the structure, purpose, and application of zoning codes.
• Knowledge of the planning process.
• Knowledge of project and team management dynamics.
• Broad understanding of the roles and application of other related review and inspection disciplines such as engineering, ecological, building, fire, traffic, etc.
• Clear and effective communication skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; ability to provide accurate and concise oral presentations and project updates.
• Ability and commitment to work within a Standard Work framework in the department.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, policies, and regulations; knowing when to reach out for assistance from supervisor or other professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and partnerships across boundaries.
• Skill in problem solving with effective solutions.
• Frontline customer service experience.

Our Most Competent Candidate Will Also Have: 

• Experience serving as a Shoreline Administrator, SEPA Official, and / or similar role.
• Professional current planning experience in the administration of local critical area protection regulations, Shoreline Management regulations and reviews under SEPA.
• Knowledge and understanding of state/local environmental regulations, programs, and policies. These include the State Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act and Growth Management Act critical area regulations.
• American Institute of Certified Planners accreditation.

Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview the week of April 12, 2021.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants.  First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months.  Including special duty assignments, STT and TLT opportunities.

WORK SCHEDULE: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours and/or on weekends.  This full-time position is overtime eligible.

TEMPORARY TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite.  Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.

To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.  The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.  King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

FORMS AND MATERIALS: An online employment application, resume, and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge and skills for the position.

SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.  Interviews will be conducted via Teams or Zoom.  Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

 Theresa Reynolds
Senior Human Resources Analyst
206-477-0380
theresa.reynolds@kingcounty.gov

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by PROTEC17.

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 there-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.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.