The Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services (DLS) is accepting applications for the career-service position of Principal Planner (Project/Program Manager IV). This role will serve as a technical subject matter expert on the administration and application of King County’s land use related development permit regulations. The Principal Planner is responsible for a variety of programs and activities mandated or delegated by state and local regulations. This position requires substantial skills in the areas of application project management, customer relations, collaboration, leadership, and the training of technical review staff. This person will exercise considerable judgment, independence, and initiative in making recommendations to the Department of Local Services – Permitting Division leadership.
About the Department of Local Services: King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to “True North” values ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.
Applying equity, racial 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.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:
- Assure that permits or approvals administered by the Permitting Division meet applicable King County codes for land use, clearing, grading, drainage, critical areas, zoning, state and county environmental procedures and the permit processing procedures of King County Code Title 20.
- Supervise and lead other planning staff, assign duties and reviews, and support the team of planners in performing their duties.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance to Permitting staff in the administration of land use, zoning, environmental, and related development regulations.
- Supervise and monitor the work of Planner’s in their performance and review of various land use and development permits.
- Serve as project manager for the review of complex permitting submittals and coordinate the reviews of other disciplines.
- Coordinate the reviews of a multi-disciplinary team of reviewers to assure timely and accurate reviews and communications with the applicants.
- Interpret county codes and policies in cases of questions or ambiguities. Serve, and potentially co-chair, on the Permitting’s Regulatory Review Committee (RRC).
- Develop and implement programs and procedures and be able to analyze and adapt programs as needed to meet Permitting’s business needs.
- Assure compliance with a wide variety of land use policies and development codes is documented. These may include Comprehensive Plan, land use, zoning, subdivision, drainage, shoreline, critical area, stormwater, road standards, accessibility, building and fire, WAC, RCW and SEPA codes.
- Perform reviews and communicate with applicants on code requirements and solutions related to demonstrating compliance with applicable codes and permitting requirements.
- Exercise considerable independent judgement on professional planning and policy matters.
- Serve as a representative regarding planning and permitting issues with elected officials, agency representatives, developers, consultants, and citizens.
- Coordinate the screening of newly submitted proposals to assure compliance with applicable codes and permitting requirements.
- Prepare production reports for the group.
- Review, comment, and assist with drafting proposed legislation and policy.
- Provide technical expertise in the review of proposed revisions to codes and standards and assists King County in defending against claims stemming from permitted activities.
- Manage and participate in technical and policy committees, potentially serving on Inter-branch Team (King County multi-department coordinating teams).
- Collaborate with other departments, agencies as needed to review, develop, and coordinate modifications to existing programs.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service and honor commitments made to customers and others.
- Other duties as assigned.
Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview the week of October 21, 2024.
If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual/in-person interview the week of October 28, 2024.
This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months, including career service, short-term temporary (STT), term-limited temporary (TLT) and/or special duty assignment (SDA) opportunities.
Pay upon SDA placement: Current employees selected for SDA will be compensated based on the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement or Master Labor Agreement for their base assignment if applicable.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application and writing sample from your past work that demonstrates your analytical abilities and for which you were the lead author. It could be a Legislative/Ordinance, staff report, policy analysis/recommendation, etc.
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.
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. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:
Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
Union Membership: This position is non-represented.
Teleworking Requirement: The work associated with this position will be performed through a hybrid work schedule of teleworking, onsite work and meetings as needed.
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.
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.
