Senior Planner

Salary : $96,972.00 - $121,632.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 280 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Planning & Community Development
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: IAM

Are you an experienced city or county planner ready to lead complex, high-impact work? We welcome applications for our Senior Planner position, which is responsible for a mix of current and long-range planning. Upcoming long-range work includes updating our Shoreline Management Program to comply with new legislation and drafting a suite of development regulations. Current planning work includes shoreline, environmental and urban planning projects.

The ideal candidate:

• Has 5 years of progressively more complex city or county planning experience;
• Has experience reviewing shoreline and environmental land use permits, utilizing strong understanding of the State Environmental Policy Act and other relevant codes;
• Has experience drafting municipal code and long-range plans;
• Has a strong customer focus for internal and external customers;
• Is a collaborative thinker who understands the need for useful, timely and substantive planning;
• Is excited to mentor newer planners; and
• Is skilled at presenting information in a coherent, concise, and professional manner.

The Senior Planner performs a variety of highly complex and professional current and long-range planning duties, depending on assignment. Responsibilities may include project management of planning activities, preparation and/or administration of the Comprehensive Plan, public policy and development regulations, and implementation and administration and of state statutes. The Senior Planner works with a team of professional planners and support staff and drafts, reviews, processes and implements ordinances and a variety of planning policy documents. Individuals assigned to this position are assigned work with a high level of responsibility and independent judgment, and are expected to provide guidance and advice to Department staff.

Essential Functions

The Senior Planner classification is distinguished from the Associate Planner classification by the assignment of more complex duties and responsibilities. Some essential functions are specific to an assignment area, and some are applicable to all areas.

• Functions as a member of the Planning and Community Development team, working closely with the Current Planning Manager, Department Director, and/or others to guide and help coordinate planning, complex projects, and day-to-day activities.
• Coordinates and performs technical planning functions, including meetings with development professionals on land use applications, environmental policies, codes, ordinances and regulations; ensures that projects and planning programs are administered in a manner consistent with the City and department goals, policies and regulations; prepares reports and recommendations.
• Makes presentations to and/or participates in hearings before the City Council, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, Design Review Board and other citizen advisory groups; attends public meetings and presents information on planning and zoning issues.
• Analyzes complex land use issues and develops multi-faceted solutions for review by senior management staff; assists in researching and developing code interpretations.
• Understands, explains and applies state policies and regulations.
• Performs and facilitates planning and land use enforcement functions such as day-to-day compliance activities with other City departments, Building Official and Code Compliance Officer.
• Develops and administers development regulations, including zoning, land division, environmental (critical areas) and natural resources (forest practices and shorelines).
• Coordinates project planning with local, state and federal agencies as appropriate.
• Assists in training and mentoring other staff.
• Maintains timely and regular attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Current Planning

• Provides comprehensive technical and professional planning services to the general public and development professionals for all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations involved in the permit process, ensuring land use and development projects are in conformance with City goals, policies and regulations, as well as in compliance with state and federal regulations; assistance may be given at the front counter, in small groups, by phone or by email.
• Leads and coordinates land use applications through review, recommendation, documentation, decision preparation, review by other departments and agencies, and permit issuance.
• Conducts site visits of land use and building permit applications.

Long Range Planning

• Maintains the City's Comprehensive Plan and land use development regulations through state-mandated and community driven updates, amendments and implementing actions.
• Researches, analyzes, develops and implements plans and studies, including historic preservation, code revision and amendments, topical elements and sub-area plans.
• Coordinates and conducts research projects for specialist programs, including community planning, downtown development, urban design, economic development and environmental policy and conservation issues; provides professional evaluations and reports as appropriate; manages contracts as assigned.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in urban planning, community development, public administration, environmental studies or a related field and five years of progressively responsible planning experience; OR any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required. A master's degree is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• The concepts, principles and practices of urban planning and community development in current or long range planning with knowledge in related planning areas sufficient to coordinate with other planners, building division and code compliance staff and other departments, as well as external agencies.
• Federal and state laws, including the State Environmental Policy Act, Growth Management Act, Platting and Subdivision Act, and Shoreline Management Act.
• Rules and regulations governing municipal planning, land use, code enforcement, zoning and building safety.
• Shoreline management policies and regulations, and permitting procedures.
• Environmental review procedures, policies and regulations.
• Methods and techniques for community involvement and outreach; knowledge of development processes.
• Principles and practices of information technology, including geographic information systems.
• Project planning and management principles.

Ability to:

• Independently perform all technical plan review functions.
• Read, analyze and interpret complex codes and documents.
• Prepare well-written and technically accurate staff reports and related documents that explain the policy and regulatory basis for land use decisions.
• Effectively present complex technical concepts for the understanding of lay persons.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram format.
• Understand abstract, quantitative, qualitative and concrete variables
• Develop improved and standardized procedures.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, construction drawings, and property descriptions.
• Utilize architectural and/or engineering scales.
• Support and model the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialist software.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements

• Valid Washington State driver's license is required.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check is required.
• Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

Additional Information

Additional Salary/Benefit DetailsThe salary range is $8081-$10,136 per month. The hiring range is $8081-$9050 per month. Step increases are attained annually based on satisfactory performance.

Telecommuting/ResidenceThe Senior Planner position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Regardless of position or telecommuting authorization status, city employees must reside in Washington and within a reasonable distance to their regular work location.

Working Conditions
The regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Work is primarily performed in an office which is busy, oriented to public service and subject to occasional work interruptions. Noise level is moderate. Position infrequently requires outdoor work, which includes driving a vehicle. Outdoor environment can include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, tripping hazards and inclement weather conditions. Attendance at meetings before or after regular work hours is required.

Physical Requirements
Continuous repetitive arm/hand movement is essential to performance. The incumbent in this position must be able to discern voice conversation, have the physical ability to perform essential job functions, and have hand-eye coordination sufficient to operate computers, do keyboarding and operate other office equipment. The incumbent must have the ability to produce legible handwritten documents and may need to push, pull, lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
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Please describe particular skills, experience and/or training which you believe best qualify you for this position.
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Please describe your approach to customer service. In your current or most recent position, who are your customers and how do you approach difficult conversations?
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