Senior Planner - Long Range

Hiring Range $3,961.31 - $4,428.08 bi-weekly. The City of Sumner is recruiting an experienced Senior Long Range Planner to join the Development Services Team. We're looking for a planner who sees long-range planning as both a technical craft and a community conversation, someone who can navigate the Growth Management Act, comprehensive planning, housing policy, and development regulations with confidence while keeping people at the center of the work. To you, planning is about more than maps and code amendments; it's about shaping a city that is resilient, connected, and welcoming for generations to come. You understand that transportation is about mobility and opportunity, parks and trails create community connections, and thoughtful land use planning helps preserve Sumner's small-town character while preparing for future growth. We need a collaborative and strategic thinker who can manage complex projects, analyze policy, prepare compelling recommendations, and communicate technical information in a way that builds understanding and trust. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable drafting comprehensive plan updates, coordinating with regional agencies, presenting to Planning Commission or City Council, facilitating public engagement, and rolling up their sleeves to tackle day-to-day planning challenges. In Sumner, we value curiosity, professionalism, creativity, and a willingness to show up for the community and for one another. If you're excited about helping guide a growing city through thoughtful long-range planning while preserving the character and values that make Sumner special, we'd love to meet you. This is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempt position. The standard work schedule for the Senior Planner is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, flexible or alternate work schedules may be available. Attendance at evening meetings, public hearings, and other off-hours events is required as part of the position. This position is not covered under Civil Service.

General Purpose:

The Senior Planner performs advanced professional planning work in support of the City's community development and long-range planning objectives. Depending on organizational needs, the position may focus on either current/short-range planning or long-range planning and zoning initiatives. Responsibilities include the development, implementation, and maintenance of the City's Comprehensive Plan, development regulations, design standards, zoning codes, and community development programs. Working under the general direction of the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner is expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and professional expertise. The position regularly collaborates with the Planning Commission, City Council, Hearing Examiner, Community Development Committee, other City departments, governmental agencies, developers, consultants, and members of the public to provide guidance and recommendations on complex and often sensitive planning and community issues. While this position does not typically supervise City staff, it may provide direction and limited oversight to consultants, interns, or project-specific support personnel. _________________

About Sumner:

The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 11,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full-service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 140 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, senior center, full service public works and administration.

Development Services:

The Development Services Department helps shape the future of the community by guiding development, infrastructure, and land use projects from concept to completion. Through planning, permitting, inspections, and public service, the department promotes safe, vibrant, and well-designed neighborhoods while providing responsive support to residents, businesses, and developers. The department is responsible for both short- and long-range planning efforts that support the community's vision for growth, economic vitality, transportation, housing, and quality of life. This includes managing current development review and permitting activities, as well as implementing comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, capital planning initiatives, and community development strategies that guide the city's future. Development Services works collaboratively with the public, elected officials, regional partners, and other departments to ensure development is sustainable, efficient, and aligned with community goals. The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with proficiency. Listed below are examples of typical duties: Provides and interprets information verbally and in writing to land developers and the public concerning City policies, regulations, zoning, subdivision, site plan review and other relevant land use related regulations. Reviews development proposals for compliance with applicable land use, environmental, zoning, and design regulations, and makes recommendations to the Planning Manager with respect to feasibility, effect on City growth and environmental impact aesthetical acceptance. Issues correction requests, certifies compliance, and conducts follow-up inspections. Prepares staff reports and recommendations for a variety of land use permits including variances, rezones, conditional uses, planned developments, shoreline permits, and subdivisions. Prepares comprehensive plan/zoning studies, and documents, code development, research, and related projects to support long range planning efforts. Makes presentations to the public, Design Commission, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, Community Development Committee and City Council regarding such applications. Makes presentations to the City Hearing Examiner for development projects under review. Including preparation of public hearing agendas, schedules, and notifcations. Researches and drafts amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and related implementing ordinances, including the preparation of various studies and reports. Performs research, studies, and analysis related to short-range or long-range planning, historic preservation, environmental issues, architecture and design, urban design, parks planning and design, urban trails, impact fees, growth management, downtown revitalization, transportation planning and demand management, planning education, building rehabilitation, and related topics. Manages consultants contracted to complete specific work products including: selection process, project management schedule, reviewing invoices. Pursues grant applications and manages grant correspondence, contract preparation and execution and invoice with state agencies. Enforces zoning and land use regulations, and other ordinances as required, including discussing complaints with members of the public, following up with field visits and related correspondence. Coordinates with regional and state agencies and other jurisdictions as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned. Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the listed necessary knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in planning, urban design, geography, engineering, or related field. A master's degree is desirable; and At least five (5) years of full-time experience in planning or closely related work; or a combination of education, experience and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Background and experience in one or more of the following is preferred: Administration of design review process including staffing an advisory design commission Landscape architecture Environmental studies Architecture and urban design Preparation of reports and subarea plans

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Planning principles , including zoning, environmental review and analysis, design, planning theory, land use law, socio-economic aspects, and land development as applied to a growing city. Washington State Planning laws and procedures, including Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Subdivision law, Historic Preservation, Floodplain Management and other state and federal laws related to the operation of the department. Modern trends in the field of land use planning and urban design. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Preparation and presentation of statistical and narrative reports.

Skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects. Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers. Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.

Ability to:

Perform complex professional planning work with a minimum of supervision and make independent investigation of assigned cases and issues. Review architectural plans, site and landscape plans, building elevations. and related materials to determine compliance with applicable land use, design, zoning, and environmental regulations. Work constructively in a team environment with customers, consultants and other staff to seek solutions and gain code compliance in an efficient and professional manner. Present complex and technical information in a clear and concise manner to various audiences. Prepare slide presentations including appropriate and applicable graphics, maps, and illustrations. Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional and accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including government officials, general public, and staff. Network and collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituents and stakeholders in the community including residents, local businesses, and organizations. Manage a varied workload organized to run smoothly and efficiently and meet deadlines. Operate technology and applications used by the City. Interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures. Maintain proper record-keeping techniques. Maintain reliable and punctual attendance. Contribute to achieving the City's Mission.

Selection Guidelines:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

Background checks will include:

Prior Employment Verification:

confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.

Personal and Professional References:

calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.

Educational Verification:

confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.

Criminal History:

includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history: The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position. The time since the conviction. The number (if more than one) of convictions. Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors. The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:

Motor Vehicle Records:

provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.

Credit History:

confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Equal Opportunity Employer The City is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law. Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-299-5595 or email hr@sumnerwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing. Drug Free Workplace The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol. General Hiring Process Information Candidates must submit required documents as outlined in the job announcement in order to be considered. Submitting a cover letter and resume is not required but is recommended. Applicants must provide professional references with accurate phone numbers and email addresses. References will only be contacted for applicants who progress past the interview process. If multiple applications are received for the same candidate, only the most recently submitted, complete application will be considered. Applications received by the review date will be screened for minimum qualifications and then submitted to a Subject Matter Expert to select which candidates will be invited to interview. Personally identifiable information is removed from the applications during the screening process. Applicants who are invited to interview will receive notification by email and are typically provided at least one weeks' notice prior to the scheduled interview date. Applicants who are not invited to interview will be notified by email. Remote interviews may be available for candidates unable to participate in person, remote interviews are held through an online meeting platform such as Microsoft Teams. Applicants who pass the interview process may be invited back for a second interview with the department leads or for a walking interview through the department. Applicants who did not pass the interview process will be notified by email.