Senior Planner (Comprehensive Planning)

Salary : $95,080.30 - $131,200.64 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 24-00095
Department: Community Development
Division: CD Planning CompPlanning
Opening Date: 03/01/2024
Closing Date: 3/25/2024 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.
The City of Bellevue is rapidly maturing into a tech-centric, diverse, metropolitan city within the Central Puget Sound Region. The city's planning team is looking for a creative individual with the technical expertise and passion to help us shape and catalyze positive change in the community. Ideal candidates will have a curious mind, technical prowess, research skills, ability to think beyond the usual or ordinary, and prioritize inclusivity in social and community issues.
This position is part of the Community Development Department's Comprehensive Planning Team. The department's vision is to secure Bellevue's future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant and equitable community. The Comprehensive Planning Team conducts a broad range of work including Comprehensive Planning (annual plan amendments with a major update due in 2024), affordable housing, neighborhood area planning, community engagement, regional policy support, trends analysis and special initiatives as requested by City Council and City Manager's Office. The successful candidate will dedicate a majority of their time to neighborhood area planning and the major comprehensive plan update over the 2020-2024 time period. They will have the ability to explain complicated issues in a range of public settings. Furthermore, they will have an analytical and methodical mindset, and an ability to adapt to shifting work issues and demands.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Skills and Professional Experience
The Community Development Department is looking for a mix of experience and skills that provide as much of the following as possible:

• Carry out planning projects involving complex technical analysis and policy development.
• Manage potentially controversial issues involving elected and appointed officials and a broad spectrum of interested parties.
• Develop and execute work programs for impactful city projects, including local, regional and state coordination as needed.
• Work constructively in teams that span multiple city departments and partner agencies, using communication and shared leadership skills to achieve multiple objectives.
• Conduct complex technical analysis for updating the comprehensive plan, plan amendments, neighborhood plans, affordable housing strategy implementation, regional policy, land use code development and area-wide rezoning.
• Communicate effectively with peers, City Council, Planning Commission and other stakeholders on planning issues in a manner that develops and maintains positive relationships.
• Represent the city at neighborhood organizations and community meetings, at public hearings, and before elected and appointed bodies.
• Evaluate program accomplishments against established goals and timetables and make recommendations that will be used in future projects.
• Provide backup support to staff the Planning Commission.

Qualifications

• Think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical conclusions and make sound decisions.
• Plan, develop and manage work programs and budgets for complex projects.
• Coordinate staff and consultant teams to deliver project results.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, citizen groups, and the public.
• Create and effectively execute inclusive engagement plans to support initiatives and programs.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including preparation and delivery of public presentations.
• Contribute to the City of Bellevue's core values of excellent public service, stewardship, commitment to employees, integrity and innovation.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year university in planning, urban planning, urban geography, environmental studies, or a closely related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum five years, with seven years preferred, of progressively responsible related experience in Comprehensive Planning at the state, regional or local level.
• Alternatively, a clear equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Certification as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

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 moderately quiet.

For more information, please contact Thara Johnson, Comprehensive Planning Manager in the Community Development Department at 425-452-4087.
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, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• 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 Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).
Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.
NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
01
Do you have a degree in in public policy, public administration, law, urban planning, or related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a degree in in public policy, public administration, law, urban planning, or related field?

• Yes
• No

03
if you said yes to the question above please describe your experience(s).
04
In lieu of a cover letter, why are you interested in Bellevue and how does your previous experience make you a qualified candidate for this position? The City of Bellevue has chosen to screen applicants anonymously, so please remove any personal identifiers.
Required Question