The City of Ellensburg has a vacancy for a Planning Manager in the Community Development Department.

This is a working manager position that is responsible for the daily operation and supervision of the Planning Division. The Planning Manager implements quality controls for the Planning Division, performs professional long range, current, and special planning activities, provides staff support to boards and commissions, City Council, other departments/divisions, and the general public; oversees the permit review process, and assists in the administrative duties for the Division.

Supervisory

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to the Planners and the Planning Technician; ensure adequate cross-training and exposure to broad experience opportunities within the Planning Division to prevent operational limitations; may supervise additional staff as needed.
• Participate in the recruitment process; make hiring recommendations; onboard and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; provide coaching and regular feedback, prepare/deliver performance evaluations; provide commendations, and recommend/deliver discipline when necessary
• Address complaints and resolve problems
• Ensure cross-departmental cooperation for excellent internal and external customer service
• Supervisory responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the organization's policies, union contracts, and applicable laws

Current Planning

• Manage the review of major land use applications and development plans and ensure compliance with City codes and plans, and state and federal regulations; develop recommendations for development permit applications
• Manage land use review and processing of various land development and zoning applications including, but not limited to: pre-applications, short plats, long plats, boundary line adjustments, site development permits, design review, conditional uses, variances, rezones, and master site plans, etc.
• Manage State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), critical areas, and floodplain review and processing; serve as SEPA Responsible Official for the City.
• Administer and interpret local ordinances and the City's land use development codes
• Make recommendations to Planning Commission, Affordable Housing, other commissions, and City Council regarding planning-related matters
• Process annexation requests and related tasks
• Respond to inquiries from applicants and members of the public on a variety of development related topics and projects

Long Range Planning

• Manage development of Comprehensive Plan amendments, including annual docket updates and periodic review, in accordance with the Growth Management Act (GMA)
• Coordinate with Director and planning staff to ensure continuous monitoring of land use and development activity, vacant land and development capacity, and assessing the City's progress in pursuing the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, etc.
• Conduct regular review of Land Development Code to ensure consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and other identified needs; perform and oversee the preparation, review, and adoption of planning-related ordinances and amendments
• Assist in oversight of the City's affordable housing program, including support of Affordable Housing Commission, and preparing research, analysis, documentation, and monitoring as necessary to support program implementation
• Attend public meetings; prepare and present staff analysis special studies and reports, and provide technical and professional advice to management staff, boards and commissions, and the City Council on planning policy and related issues
• Coordinate and build relationships with other City department staff; lead interdepartmental teams as necessary to achieve intended work program outcomes; coordinate and build relationships with other agencies and the public
• Prepare and write grant applications relating to planning

Administrative

• Assist the Community Development Director in administrative duties for the Planning Division; may serve as Director in their absence
• Assist Director in providing and/or delegating staff support for the following City Commissions: Planning, Landmarks & Design, Affordable Housing, and Environmental
• Work closely with other department managers and staff in adhering to planning and permitting code requirements and responding to customer inquiries and concerns
• Assist with the preparation of the budget for the Planning Division

Other duties may be assigned - This is a representative sample--not to imply a complete listing of responsibilities and tasks.

This is a full-time, benefited position. Benefits include medical, dental, life, and disability insurance; Retirement under the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and vacation, sick leave, exempt leave, holidays, and employee choice days.

Salary: $8,263- $9,348/ month (FLSA Exempt) plus excellent benefits

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from four (4) ‑year college or university in Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, or a field related to the essential duties and responsibilities of this position
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience
• Two (2) years in a lead role for long-range planning projects
• One (1) year in a supervisory role that included performance management of staff
• Please note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the above requirements as determined by management

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license by date of hire and maintain an insurable driving record.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certificate, or ability to obtain within six (6) months.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ARCVIEW GIS experience
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• AICP Certification

To apply for this position and view a complete job posting including detailed duties, responsibilities, and qualifications please visit the employment section of our website at www.ci.ellensburg.wa.us. This position is Open Until Filled – First Review will be December 18, 2024. EOE