NOTE: This is an internal promotional opportunity for current Skagit County employees.

Exercises independent judgement and discretion in managing planning staff, while organizing, staffing, and directing efforts to accomplish the work, mission, and goals of the department. Represents Skagit County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities. Ensures compliance with Division, Department, and County policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and legal requirements. Assists with management of programs and staff that ensure expenditures remain within approved budget. Develops professional relationships with staff, other departments/divisions, and individuals outside County government that encourages participation, teamwork, and effective use of resources.

Manages, and coordinates the processing and review of a wide variety of challenging development projects. Supervises, manages, assigns, and tracks projects of assigned Department staff. Provides project management responsibilities over a diverse group of professional and technical multi-disciplinary team staff members, and consultants for comprehensive and community planning, development and implementation of land use regulations, growth management, transportation planning, capital improvements/facilities programming, environmental review, and code administration. Administers the preparation of Department work program components, plans, studies, and reports.

• Salary upon hire is based on Skagit County promotional policy.

• Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 10 total steps (top step $12,194.00/month). The Planning Manager is range 32 of the General (Non-Union) salary schedule.

Coordinates the processing of a wide variety of challenging projects that require multi-disciplinary team review with the applicant, public, staff and/or decision makers; ensures that appropriate levels and functions of staff are present at project meetings to make decisions; monitors project review timelines, seeks expertise outside the team as necessary, communicates when needed with project proponents/opponents, and serves to resolve procedural issues.

Communicates and interacts with elected officials and administrators of public agencies/departments and executives of private organizations, at the request and on behalf of the director, to analyze, evaluate, resolve and educate others on public policy issues and land use regulations.

Responds to public inquiries with information on public policy, comprehensive planning, development codes and land use regulations.

Advises planning staff on reports and recommendations to the County Commissioners, Planning Commission, hearing examiner, committees, community groups, and private organizations regarding comprehensive planning, regulatory ordinances, and development proposals/projects.

May establish and prepare methodologies for data collection, analysis, and studies related to land use, transportation, growth management, community development, environmental impacts, and land use proposals/projects.

May conduct data collection and processing to facilitate a consistent and comprehensive information system.

Conducts preparation of documents for a variety of public policy issues related to Planning, including community planning and development, current planning, long range planning, and land use ordinances and codes.

Subject to quality control review of the Director and/or Assistant Director, has authority to approve or deny planning projects after review to determine whether they meet code requirements.

May research and develop policy or code language to amend the comprehensive plan or development regulations, and shepherd policy and code proposals through the legislative process, including analysis under SEPA, public review and comment, Planning Commission hearing and deliberations, and final consideration and potential adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. May involve drafting of policy and code proposals, staff reports, Planning Commission recorded motions, and ordinances.

Supervisory:

Supervises, evaluates, monitors, and assigns work to division staff.

Provides direct supervision or oversight of department planners, administrative staff, and professionals in consultant offices within planning project scope, schedule, and budget. Reviews and approves the technical work of staff and consultants, contracting agencies, and other organizations as appropriate.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

Attends conferences, seminars, and other meetings as directed.

Provides quality customer service as the visible presence of the county in the eyes of permit applicants supporting the projects, assisting applicants in understanding their legal options as determined by local and state law and codes and expediting project reviews for prompt processing and approval or denial as necessary.

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's classification of work.

Any combination of training, experience, and/or AICP certification that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in planning, natural resources, engineering, public administration, business, or a related field, AND four years of progressively responsible related experience INCLUDING two years of management/supervisory experience showing a demonstrated ability to manage and work with subordinates, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Prior experience in growth management, planning, and/or in the administration of land use and building codes preferred. (Proven experience in successfully managing “service delivery” systems similar to regulatory agency permit processes). Recognition given for private or public service in the regulatory venue.

Proficient in use of computers, permit software. GIS mapping software, and associated programs and equipment preferred.

Requires knowledge of:

• Organizational and community dynamics and principles and practices of leadership, management, and supervision.
• Principles and practices of planning and development is preferred.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to areas of assignment.
• Fiscal management including budget preparation, grant administration, service and intergovernmental contract negotiation and administration, expenditure control, and recordkeeping.
• Computer operation and a variety of office software including Windows, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, permit tracking software (such as Tyler Energov), and related software systems (GIS, financial/cashiering).
• Complex systems project management including planning, scheduling, monitoring, and problem solving.

Requires the ability to:

1. Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing and establish and maintain good working relationships with County commissioners, the Planning Commission, the Hearing Examiner, officials of other jurisdictions, project applicants or proponents, Department employees and other professionals, consultants, citizen groups, the public and other agencies and departments.
2. Plan, schedule, review and evaluate the work and performance of department staff and contracted consultants on a variety of Planning areas, which may include current planning, long range planning, natural resources.
3. Analyze, calculate dimensional requirements, analyze site plan and building measurements, multi-task.
4. Prepare and direct the preparation of reports, departmental materials, and correspondence.
5. Use, understand, and interpret statutes, codes, and other planning-related subjects.
6. Comprehend and communicate complex policy and legal issues to policymakers and the public.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Valid Washington State driver's license.
• AICP certification preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Most work is performed in an office environment. Occasional fieldwork at various job sites. Inspections may require walking on steep or uneven terrain, lifting, crawling, climbing on ladders and forms, entering and exiting awkward or confined spaces.

Hazards:

Those present in a normal office environment. Physical hazard may be present during inspection of unsafe job sites. Occasional walking on uneven or steep terrain. Driving hazards to sites and meetings. Possible hazards in the field such as dogs, upset landowners, etc.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race, color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or mental disability in its employment practices.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test, or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1380.