The principal planner oversees the planning division within the community development department. The planning team is responsible for creating programs and plans that best meet the city's needs for land use and infrastructure, while handling population growth and considering economic and environmental impacts. This includes highly complex planning activities including land use permitting and environmental review for large development projects, zoning code map and text amendments, and critical area ordinance text amendments to the Gig Harbor Municipal Code and amendments to the Gig Harbor Shoreline Master Program. This role serves as a member of the community development leadership team and may serve as the acting community development director during the director's out-of-office absences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description do not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to undertake other projects consistent with the role as requested by a supervisor.

• Manages and supervises the planning division personnel of the community develop department including but not limited to interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints, grievances, and disputes; resolving problems; appraising performance; recommending promotions and disciplinary actions; implementing organizational changes; approving and schedule leave time; and recommending terminations as appropriate.
• Assists in developing division goals, objectives, and measures of success consistent with the city's mission and policies to serve the public.
• Coordinates, develops, interprets, maintains, updates, and implements the city's comprehensive plan, the city's land development regulations, and any other land use regulations.
• Provides oversight, leadership, management, and performs work for complex and sensitive planning projects including researching, planning, executing, analyzing, and evaluating.
• Supervises and leads employees using a coaching model that includes establishing expectations, assigning work, setting goals and objectives, planning for development/training, reviewing and evaluating performance, ensuring frequent and timely conversations, delivering feedback, conducting routine check-ins, helping employees identify resolutions for issues, providing on-the-job training, conducting sensitive conversations, handling matters with proper discretion, and successfully addressing employee performance issues.
• Develops, measures, analyzes, improves, evaluates, and reports operational plans.
• Oversees and facilitates specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies.
• Provides information proactively to elected officials and educates the public on the role of planning within the city.
• Researches, collects, analyzes, organizes, prepares, and presents data and reports.
• Recommends and implements process improvement and modifications.
• Coordinates and participates in public engagement processes and visioning efforts.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Advises the community development director on all planning related matters.
• Provides information and reports and/or advises the mayor, city administrator, city council, managers, committees, various councils, boards, commissions, and public.
• Serves as liaison and performs all necessary functions in support of planning commission.
• Assists with community development budget development and monitors expenditures throughout the year.
• Attends various civic and business meetings on behalf of the city.
• Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in City and Regional Planning, Urban Planning, Community Planning, or closely related field from an accredited college or university; Master's Degree preferred.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience, including four (4) years as a professional level planner with a city, county, or other municipality to include experience with the principles of design, effective site planning, and architectural design.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory level experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

The following certifications and licenses are required for the position (or must be obtained within the timeframe stated) and must be maintained for the duration of employment.

• A valid Washington state driver's license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire).
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification from the American Planning Association preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city's motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.
• Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.