Senior Code and Policy Planner

Title: Senior Code and Policy Planner

Location: Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA

Department: Development Services

Job Description:

 

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

 

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more. 

 

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

 

Job Summary

 

 

Bellevue is building the city of the future. Our welcoming, multicultural, innovation-focused community attracts technology pioneers, outdoor enthusiasts, and family-focused professionals from around the world. At Bellevue, you will be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest, and being a part of the community vision. Our people bring unique skills and qualities to the table, embrace the values of honesty, accountability, and commitment to service, and take pride in the work they do. You will work in an environment where being innovative, collaborative, and future-focused are the status quo. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. It is what makes Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

We are looking for up to two Senior Planners to advance Council priorities, specifically related to land use code amendments to implement our recently adopted Comprehensive Plan and Affordable Housing Strategy, update our Shoreline Master Program, and other Land Use Planning Initiatives. This position is expected to partner and coordinate throughout policy planning and code development, as well as work closely with staff within and outside of the Development Services Department.

 

Bellevue’s Development Services Department is part of is a multi-department Development Services line of business that offers one-stop shopping for general information and the permits needed for development activity in Bellevue and the surrounding service areas.  We are code compliance officers, engineers, finance analysts, inspectors, planners, plans examiners, permit technicians, and support staff from the Development Services, Fire, Transportation, and Utilities departments. This position is a member of the Code and Policy team that works together with staff from other city departments in the development of city codes and regulations that unlock and guide future land uses that advance the City’s vision. Currently, the Code and Policy team is busy with several major projects such as the BelRed code changes, Downtown Livability 2.0 code changes, implementing amendments related to the City's Affordable Housing Strategy, amending the code to align with legislative changes, as well as multiple other code development efforts.  

 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

 

• Conduct complex technical analysis that may be used for many planning purposes, including critical areas and shoreline amendments, housing land use code amendments, special initiatives, and associated processes.
• Maintain familiarity with federal, state, regional planning policies and regulations; analyzing and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.
• Maintaining appropriate records; collecting and assembling data on assisted developments.
• Providing information to residents and community groups.
• Work constructively in teams that span multiple departments and, at times, agencies, using communication and shared leadership skills to successfully collaborate and achieve multipleobjectives.
• Communicate effectively with peers, City Council, Planning Commission, and other stakeholders on planning issues in a manner that develops and maintains positive relationshipsandadvancesthe understandingoftheissuesathand.
• RepresenttheCityonvariouscommittees,atneighborhoodorganizationsand community meetings, and atpublic hearings.
• Be responsible for projectoutcomes.
• Draft, process, and manage planning initiatives and amendments to the Land Use Code and other development regulations.
• Gather, interpret, and prepare studies, analysis reports, and recommendations as part of the planning initiative and code amendment project or other needs.
• Respond to changing Council priorities and economic development needs. 
• Coordinate and collaborate with, and train other planners, reviewers, Code Compliance, and other affected City staff in the development of such initiatives and amendments. 
• Coordinate and lead interdepartmental teams as necessary to achieve intended work program outcomes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• This position will work under the general supervision of the Code and Policy Planning Manager. 
• No formal supervisory responsibilities but may act as lead to other staff.

 

 

Qualifications

 

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public policy, public administration, law, urban planning, or related field. 
• Five or more years of professional related experience in development and codification of implementing regulations, public policy formulation, and implementation of legislative action/relations. 
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of the Washington State’s Growth Management Act.
• Demonstrated skill to work independently yet inclusively with other City staff and stakeholders. 
• Ability to prepare regulatory code amendments that are understandable and defensible, reflect the vision of the Comprehensive Plan, community priorities, and achieve desired outcomes. 
• Proficiency to internalize and support the department's mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities, and departmental operations. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, regional, and local issues impacting the planning environment. 
• Proficiency in identifying emerging issues, developing and implementing new approaches; ability to anticipate and resolve problems before a crisis ensues. 
• Aptitude to maintain confidences and routinely handle extremely sensitive and political information; skill in human relations, diplomacy, tact, and negotiating. 
• Demonstrated skill for developing and maintaining productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, advisory boards, City department representatives, the news media, and the general public. 
• Ability to understand and navigate the City's political environment and sensitivities, and to function effectively within that environment. 
• Skill in researching complex issues, conducting complex administrative studies, and developing recommended actions. Ability to prepare informative reports and deliver persuasive, succinct presentations to senior management, elected officials, and other audiences. 
• Skill in effective, clear, and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups. 
• Ability to think clearly and strategically and convey information in a clear, concise, and logical manner. 
• Proficiency in utilizing project management techniques. 

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 40 pounds. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING: 

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

This is a Union-represented position. The terms of its wages and working conditions are currently being negotiated between the City and the Union.

 

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.


• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.


• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment


• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications. 


 

 

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
  

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.