Associate Planner

Salary : $71,604.00 - $92,568.00 Annually
Location : City of Snohomish
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-0007
Department: Planning and Development
Opening Date: 04/25/2025

Description
JOB SUMMARY

Your job in the department is to . . .

Under the direction of the Planning Director, review permit and land use applications, prepare draft staff reports with analysis, prepare draft permit procedures, perform research, analysis, and draft language to support long range planning efforts, and respond to developer and public inquiries regarding permit, planning, and development issues. Work in direct support of and in collaboration with the Planning Director on a wide range of planning issues.
Your job also involves . . .

Providing staff support to Boards and Commissions and Hearing Examiner as directed by Planning Director.

Examples of Duties
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks listed are intended to be descriptive and not restrictive. An employee in this classification may perform any of the tasks listed; however, these examples do not include all the tasks which an employee may be expected to perform.
For each function (Should not include much more than 10 functions), indicate the frequency each function is performed (D=Daily, W=Weekly, M=Monthly, Q=Quarterly, AN=As Needed).
Estimate the distribution of total working time on an annual basis using percentages of not less than 5%. Total percentage of time must add up to 100%.
Number of Job Functions:3

JOB FUNCTIONS

FREQUENCY

ANNUAL % OF TIME

Planning

• Under the direction of the Planning & Development Services Director, conduct plan review of applications for land use and development for conformance to legal requirements, including review of environmental checklists for applications that meet the SEPA threshold.
• Conduct site plan, business license, and design review for conformance to City requirements..
• Prepare draft staff reports for long-range plans, land use actions, historical preservation, park planning, and development proposals and present to the Boards and Commissions, and Hearing Examiner as directed.
• Perform site visits and inspections of development for conformance to plans and regulations pertaining to land use regulations and design matters.
• Perform studies of planning and development issues and present reports to the Planning Director and others as directed by the Planning Director, including necessary support and assistance to consultants as directed.
• Under the direction of the Planning & Development Services Director, perform research and analysis, prepare summary reports, and draft code revisions that implement the City's Comprehensive Plan and relevant state laws.

D

55%

Customer Service

• Respond to questions from both the public and developers regarding development regulations in general and about specific applications.
• Provide staff support for hearings and community meetings that deal with development permits and processes, and with long-range, master plans, subareas, and comprehensive planning.

D

40%

Planning Department Support & Interdepartmental

• Provides support to other Planning department positions through cross-training and back up as frequently as needed.
• Coordinates with other staff regularly on projects and provides technical assistance as needed.
• Coordinates with other City staff to fulfill functions of the position as needed.
• Must be able to provide support during emergency events.

AN

5%

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (DROPDOWN)

1 - Little or no supervisor responsibility for work of others
Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Indicate the MINIMUM educational level required and the number of years of relevant experience required to perform the duties of the position.

Minimum Education Level

2 - Associates and/or Professional Certification (if specific fields, list below)

Specifics: Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, geography, public administration or closely related field. Additional experience and specialized training may substitute for formal education.
Minimum Experience Level:

Two- Three years (if in specific skills/fields, list below)

Specifics: At least two to three years of working in current planning, permit review, or administrative services within a Public Sector Planning Department.
Substitution Note: A combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Certifications :

None required

Specifics: NA
Driver's License

Other vehicle credential required (list specifics below)

Specifics: Valid Washington State driver's license required
Other Licenses

None required

Specifics: NA
Desirable Qualifications: NA
Other Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The required knowledge, skills and/or abilities are listed below:

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including land use and zoning laws
• Principles and practices of municipal planning and zoning
• Principles and practices of planning program development and administration
• Methods and techniques for effective customer service and public relations
• Development review procedures and requirements
• Source and availability of planning resources and information
• Environmental impact assessment
• Record-keeping techniques
• Public relations and interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases

Skill or ability to:

• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Collect, analyze and interpret planning data
• Organize and conduct various research studies
• Assist in development and revision of the Comprehensive Plan and other long-range plans
• Prepare reports on current and long-range planning issues
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Make effective oral presentations at public hearings and meetings
• Maintain records and prepare reports
• Attend community, staff, board, and commission meetings as required, often outside regular working hours.
• Work courteously and tactfully with customers and employees
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations
• Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the City, clearly and concisely, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
• Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.g., word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software)
• Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the City. Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Show up to work on time, and follow instructions, policies, and procedures. Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS

Job Conditions: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. All staff positions at the City are required to be available to report to work during off hours in case of emergency and perform duties as assigned.
Work Location:City of Snohomish with opportunity for limited telecommuting.
Travel:Drive to project sites to conduct inspections in City vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Environment: Standard office setting; the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, noises, fumes, smoke, gases, vibrations, odors, dust, radiant and electrical energy, and stressful situations
Physical: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment; to stand, stoop, reach, bend, kneel, squat, crawl, twist and climb; for heavy, moderate and light lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying; to travel to various locations; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Snohomish is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This position is not eligible for benefits.