Senior Watershed Planner

Salary : $106,997.04 - $144,439.78 Annually
Location : City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA
Job Type: Regular, Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: PW-ENVIRONMENTAL & UTILITY SERVICES
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

We are seeking a Senior Planner with outstanding project management expertise and experience in watershed planning, NPDES stormwater-required program implementation, and facilitation of long-range planning. In this role, you will lead multi-disciplinary initiatives that directly support the stormwater and watershed elements of Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Redmond's Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, especially its "Water Management" focus-protecting, restoring, and enhancing our city's natural water systems while meeting net-zero and climate resilience goals. Your leadership in project planning, technical implementation, and facilitation will be vital for advancing Redmond's commitment to climate resilience, clean water, and vibrant natural systems.
In this position, you will coordinate interdisciplinary teams, guide planning studies, engage the community and interest groups, prepare and interpret data, and develop clear, actionable recommendations. Success in this role requires the ability to analyze and communicate complex project issues, apply professional judgment, and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners. As a Senior Planner you will:
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define, scope, and manage watershed and stormwater basin planning projects-including watershed prioritization, BMP selection, and rehabilitation strategies from Redmond's Watershed Plan.
• Draft tailored watershed plans that integrate stormwater retrofits, habitat restoration, monitoring, outreach, and programmatic activities to improve stream health.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary teams to implement regional stormwater facilities and champion low-impact development (LID) strategies aligned with both the ESAP and municipal regulations.
• Oversee NPDES Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP) and Stormwater Management for Existing Development (SMED) program delivery, ensuring compliance with state permit requirements.
• Lead long-range watershed planning, utility system planning, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on Redmond's Storm and Surface Water Systems Plan (SSWSP) development and implementation to prioritize flood prevention, habitat restoration, and stormwater infrastructure investment priorities.
• Collaborate on identifying, prioritizing, and managing stormwater capital improvement projects (CIP) including stormwater retrofits.
• Engage community and interest groups through public meetings, outreach campaigns , and educational efforts that bolster ESAP goals and foster stewardship of watersheds and stormwater systems.
• Coordinate with regional partners on restoration, mitigation, and stormwater planning initiatives.
• Provide consultation and grant sourcing, scope development, contract administration, budget coordination, implementation and deliverable oversight, and reporting.
• Communicate complex technical issues clearly, crafting reports, visual materials, and presentations that inform city leadership, elected officials, partner agencies, and the public.
• Serve as a technical lead providing strategic planning leadership.
• Apply independent professional judgment to integrate watershed health, stormwater management, and regulatory compliance into recommendations that advance Redmond's vision for a resilient, sustainable water environment.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of stormwater and watershed systems.
• A strong understanding of regulatory requirements such as the Western Washington NPDES Phase II permit or similar environmental regulatory programs.
• Experience in developing or implementing watershed or basin level plans.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects and programs throughout their full lifecycle.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including interdisciplinary teams, consultants, regulatory agencies, and community members.
• Understanding budgetary principles and practices, including coordinating with financial analysis teams and integrating fiscal considerations into planning documents.

Preferred Experience:

• Skilled in communicating complex and sometimes contentious technical topics clearly and effectively in written, oral, and graphic formats to staff, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage workload to meet established deadlines and quality expectations across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to define and conduct research related to assigned projects; gather, evaluate, and synthesize data to inform recommendations and decision-making.
• Competence in performing and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative analyses in support of strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and project development.
• Ability to conduct analysis and prepare clear, actionable recommendations consistent with City operational policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Skilled in presenting recommendations and resolving issues in public settings with diverse groups of participants, including councils, commissions, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, conduct research, analyze information, and develop well-supported recommendations for program or process improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, urban design and development, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, environmental science, natural resources management, transportation, public policy, engineering or related discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of professional experience in the above fields.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and a driving record that meets city standards

Other

This class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job.

Please review the job description for more information about the knowledge, skills, abilities, working conditions, and physical requirements.

BENEFITS
Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente. All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond.
• PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan
• DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
• PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS - with (13) paid holidays per year
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include: Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan
• Annual COLA adjustments
• Annual merit increases of up to 5%

To learn about benefits at the City of Redmond, please visit C2MB (ajg.com)
Please visit to learn about benefits at the City of Redmond
Benefit rates are subject to change without notice due to federal and state mandates and contractual changes as applicable.
01

Please select your highest level of education.

• High School or GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02

How many years of experience do you have in planning, environmental analysis, project management, or related work?

• No Experience
• 0 - 1 Year
• 2 - 4 Years
• 5 - 7 Years
• 8+ Years

03

Please describe your experience working in planning, environmental analysis, project management, or related work:
04

Describe your experience with stormwater or watershed-based planning, including basin planning, watershed condition assessments, or stormwater plan development.
05

Describe your experience working within regulatory frameworks such as the Western Washington NPDES Phase II permit, stormwater management plans and project requirements, or similar environmental regulatory programs.
06

Please provide one example of a project you managed involving stormwater or capital planning projects:
07

Describe your experience presenting technical or complex information to diverse audiences, including elected officials, community groups, commissions, or interdisciplinary teams.
08

Describe a watershed or basin level plan you developed or implemented, outlining your role and methods for collaboration.
09

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question