Planning Manager - Development Services

Under the general direction of the Assistant City Manager/Community and Economic Development (CED) Director, plan, organize, and supervise the activities of the Development Services Division. Develop, recommend, and implement policies and procedures to administer development services programs and ordinances. Implement and maintain sound practices to ensure communication with, participation of, and optimum service to the community. Perform complex planning projects. Supervise the Development Services Division, including permit counter operations; environmental review (SEPA), planning and engineering code review; business licensing; and building plan review and inspection services.  Coordinate administration of the City’s online permitting system.

Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following:
 
Advisory 
Provide staff leadership to the Lakewood Planning Commission and Hearings Officers in the preparation of agendas and the conduct of meetings.
 
Evaluate alternative methodologies on a variety of planning problems and projects; recommend specific solutions. Perform research, conduct planning studies, and participate on local or state committees and boards.
 
Serve as a resource to the City’s collective bargaining teams to advise on labor relations activities and operational impacts to draft proposals.  
 
Attendance 
Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
 
Budget 
Prepare and administer a biennial budget and fee schedule for the Development Services Division.  Make recommendations on amending the Development Services cost recovery system.

Communication 
Respond to inquiries from, and supply and interpret both simple and complex current planning-related information to, the public.
 
Make presentations at work sessions and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council, as well as to local organizations, service groups, and professional organizations explaining planning programs and activities.
 
Coordination 
Coordinate the development review process with participating City departments and outside agencies to ensure performance measures are met.
 
Assist the Community Safety Resource Team (CSRT) on code enforcement work related to land use and business license violations.
 
Prepare grant applications and coordinate those projects and programs generated by grant participation.

Coordinate project permit review with the City Building Official as appropriate. 
 
Operational 
Monitor and review the operations of the Division for compliance and adherence to state and federal standards and regulations, as well as consistency with departmental goals, policies, and procedures.
 
Manage the implementation, maintenance, improvements, and use of the City's permit tracking and monitoring system.
 
Monitor the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) program.
 
Oversee environmental, planning, permit counter, development review engineering, plan review process, special plan check, and inspection services.
 
Ordinances, Codes, and Regulations 
Evaluate and interpret planning requirements in state law and administrative rules and make recommendations to the Assistant City Manager, as appropriate; establish and maintain good working relationships with state and local agency staff members.
 
In coordination with the Planning Manager for Long Range & Strategic Planning, research and prepare ordinances, standards, and procedures for the implementation, amendment, and updating of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and other related documents.
 
Interpret, analyze, and apply planning ordinances, codes, and regulations; coordinate information with other City departments and external agencies.
 
Research and Analyses 
Conduct studies, compile and analyze data to prepare programs for the current economic development and physical planning and development of the City; forecast population growth and housing needs; and prepare changes to land use plan and codes as necessary.
 
Safety 
Actively champion a culture and commitment to workplace safety through everyday actions and leadership.
 
Staff Supervision 
Supervise a staff of professionals and para-professionals responsible for providing client service on land use matters and the processing of land development applications consistent with the Lakewood Land Use and Development Code, the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and Revised Code of Washington (RCW).  Interview and recommend selection of applicants, conduct training, assign and schedule work, identify and resolve problems, conduct performance evaluations, and recommend disciplinary actions, as appropriate.
 
Implement City Equity Statement in hiring and oversight of staff and in public interactions.
 
Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that would likely provide the candidate with the knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the job will be considered. A typical combination is a bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, or a related field AND five years of professional planning experience. This is an equivalent combination of nine (9) years of education and/or relevant professional experience.
 
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State driver’s license.
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience is desired. Master’s degree preferred.KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES 
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Principles, practices, and methodologies of current and long-range planning and state land use laws.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Principles and practices of budgeting, management, and supervision.
Techniques of planning research and municipal and regional procedures involved in urban planning, including understanding of the physical, social, and economic concepts underlying planning work.
Demographics, analytical methods, urban design, engineering, and building practices.
 
ABILITY TO:
Supervise, train, evaluate, and discipline assigned planning and support staff.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other City departments; municipalities; county, state and federal agencies; developers; and the public.
Prepare and maintain reports and records with accuracy.
Assign, coordinate, and assure proper completion of multiple planning projects simultaneously.
Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Analyze issues and situations accurately, prepare recommendations based on findings, and adopt an effective course of action.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
Exercise sound independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
Drive a vehicle as required to attend business related events and requirements.
Work extended hours as needed.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS 
ENVIRONMENT:
Primarily office and other indoor work environments with occasional outdoor exposure; subject to driving and to working evening and extended hours.
 
PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities necessary to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Frequent fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc. Frequent sitting, may be extended at times, while doing desk activities. Frequent bending/twisting at waist/knees/neck while working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position. Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office areas. Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, and moving materials. Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast-paced environment. Ability to operate a motor vehicle for transportation to off-site meetings and events.
 
FLSA DESIGNATION 
Exempt, not eligible for overtime.
 
UNION AFFILIATION 
Non-represented.
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 
The City of Lakewood is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages, supports, and celebrates respect, empowerment, diversity, and inclusion for all. We welcome your contributions!