Code And Policy Senior Planner

Salary : $95,080.30 - $131,200.64 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 24-00001
Department: Development Services
Division: DS Code+Policy
Opening Date: 01/05/2024
Closing Date: 1/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
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.
Job Summary
Successful selected candidate may be eligible for a hiring bonus up to $6000, dependent on experience (half the bonus paid at time of hire and the other half after successfully completing the trial service period unless otherwise stated in the employee's offer letter). Current and previous City of Bellevue employees are not eligible for this hiring bonus.
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 a Senior Planner to advance Council priorities, including the City's Affordable Housing Strategy and regulatory reform and programs related to housing needs in the City. This position will work primarily on developing code amendments to implement policy direction. 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 Wilburton Vision Implementation and Grand Connection, implementing amendments related to the City's Affordable Housing Strategy, a comprehensive review and update of regulations related to tree protection, 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 affordable housing strategy implementation, special initiatives, and associated processes.
• Maintain familiarity with federal, state, regional, and local housing programs, 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.
• Assisting with other City housing programs and special projects as needed.
• Work constructively in teams that span multiple departments and, at times, agencies, using communication and shared leadership skills to successfully collaborate and achieve multiple objectives.
• Communicate effectively with peers, City Council, Planning Commission, and other stakeholders on planning issues in a manner that develops and maintains positive relationships and advances the understanding of the issues at hand.
• Represent the City on various committees, at neighborhood organizations and community meetings, and at public hearings.
• Be responsible for project outcomes.
• 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:

• Ability to prepare regulatory code amendments that are understandable and defensible, reflect the vision of the Comprehensive Plan, community priorities, and achieve desired outcomes.
• Knowledge of housing affordability issues, including common policy tools.
• Demonstrated skill to work independently yet inclusively with other City staff and stakeholders.
• 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.

Supplemental Information
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.

*Initial interviews are currently scheduled to take place the week of January 22nd, 2024.
For more information on the role, contact Kristina Gallant at 425-452-6196.
HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Questions when requested and can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

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 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.

The City of Bellevue values diversity in its workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local laws.
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 five 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, committee to employees, integrity, and innovation. 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. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office at 425-452-6838 or 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.
The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!
Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.
The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.
Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberm...