Senior Environmental Planner (Project/Program Manager III)

SUMMARY:

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 Senior Environmental Planner (Project/Program Manager III).

This role will work under the supervision of a Product Line Manager to help produce timely, accurate, quality reviews and approvals of Shoreline, Land Use and Critical areas alteration exceptions for development permits. Working in a collaborative manner, Senior Environmental Planners work with a higher degree of independence. They apply their years of current planning experience to review a variety of permit types ranging from shoreline, critical areas alteration exceptions, single-family projects to complex commercial or infrastructure projects, and may work more often on complex, high profile, and/or time-sensitive projects.

Senior Environmental 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 technical permit approval documents and staff reports that are clear, accurate, and defensible.  Senior Environmental Planners may assist in developing code amendments; participate occasionally in long-range planning assignments; and, as directed, may be a technical resource for and provide workflow guidance to other planners. 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. Some presentations to the public, hearing bodies, and other agencies will be required on a periodic basis.

JOB DUTIES:

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.

• As assigned by the Product Line Manager, review and potentially impose conditions upon shoreline, land use and building permits according to applicable shoreline and critical areas codes, laws, and policies.
• Author accurate and understandable permit language, technical documents, and staff reports that are consistent with applicable King County and Washington State codes, laws, and policies.
• Manage individual work time to meet a fluctuating workload and achieve target review Serve as an environmental technical resource for other planners in the department, and as directed, assist in managing the workflow of other planners, and help establish Standard Work practices for assigned permit types.
• 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
• Administration of local critical area protection regulations, Shoreline Management regulations and shoreline reviews under SEPA.
• Support environmental pre-application conferences for shorelines, critical areas and assist with customer
• 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; to the extent possible, help applicants find the correct pathway to what the applicant 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. Represent the department in public hearings.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, urban studies, environmental science or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in current planning.
• Ability to read and interpret and explain plans, policies, and regulations.
• Demonstrable experience with long-range planning assignments. Demonstrable supervisory experience of current planning professionals.
• Clear and effective communication skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; ability to provide accurate and concise oral presentations.
• Ability to help establish and commitment to work within a Standard Work framework in the department.
• Skill in providing customer service and training.
• Skill in handling multiple competing priorities and producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.
• Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Skill in advanced-level problem solving.
• Understanding of state/local environmental regulations, programs and policies. These include the State Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act and King County Critical Areas regulations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's degree in planning or a related field.
• Demonstrable track record of success with complex, high-profile, and/or time-sensitive projects.
• Professional current planning experience in a rural context.
• Experience in making presentations to Hearing Examiners, legislative bodies, and the public. Frontline customer service experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners accreditation.

Necessary Requirements

      ·   Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to operate              motor vehicle safely throughout the County.

• Must be able to lift up to 30

• Must be able to traverse construction sites in any weather condition.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview the week of January 19th, 2023

If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited to come back the week of January 16th, 2023 for a second interview.

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

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current Local 17 PROTEC members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not overtime-eligible. 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.

FORMS AND MATERIALS: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a 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.  Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.
   
UNION MEMBERSHIP:  PROTEC17
 
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
   Vivienne Swai
   Human Resources Analyst
   206-477-1538
   vswai@kingcounty.gov

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
 
 As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:
 • submit proof of vaccination or
 • have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.

Teleworking Requirement 
The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position may include regular and ongoing in-office work involving in person customer service in accordance with the division's available customer service options. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
   
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 that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  
 
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.