APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS
1)
Submit applications to City Hall at:
Applications will be received until the postion is filled.
2)
To be considered complete an application must include
the following materials:
a.
Completed and signed “City of
b.
Current resume
c.
Three references
3)
Carefully read the job description for the position
for which you are applying. Your
application will be screened for the qualifications listed in the position description. By signing this application you are affirming
that all information you provide is accurate and complete.
4)
A screening committee will review all
applications. Screening members will
include elected officials and staff.
Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the screening
committee. All application materials
will become the property of the City and will be retained by the City.
5)
In accordance with Federal law proof of identity and
proof of authorization to work in the
6)
If, due to a disability, you require special
arrangements to participate in the application or selection process call City
Hall at
7)
You will be notified of the status of your
application. A screening committee will review all applications and will select
from three to five candidates to interview.
8)
Please contact City Hall at
The City
of
SUMMARY: Performs
current planning activities related to the interpretation and enforcement of
City development and environmental ordinances including the comprehensive plan,
zoning, subdivisions, short plats, State Environmental Policy Act, shoreline
substantial developments and Critical Areas. Insures that all
the legal requirements, public notices, hearing and permit procedures regarding
all planning functions are adhered to and completed. Insures that a
comprehensive public record shall be developed and retained by the City through
the carrying out of the required reviews and writing of environmental
assessment reports and impact statements as authorized by the City.
PRIMARY TASKS
·
Provides technical and
professional advice and provides information on land use applications,
ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations
to the development community, property owners, community groups and the general
public.
·
Gathers, interprets, evaluates
and prepares data for studies, reports for decisions-making purposes, and
coordinates the review of development applications or projects with applicable
city departments, interest groups, state and local officials and agencies, as
needed.
·
Administers the City State
Environmental Policy Act, Shorelines Act, and Critical Areas Ordinance; reviews
projects to determine if an environmental impact statement and/or critical area
assessment reports are required; and coordinates with consultants responsible
for preparing impact statements and/or assessment reports.
·
Evaluates and researches
environmental checklist and assessment reports provided to the City by private
developers or public agencies.
·
Prepares,
posts and causes to be published public notices as are required by city
ordinance and state law regarding any actions affecting the Comprehensive Plan,
Shorelines Management Plan and permit, zoning, site and building plan reviews,
variances or rezones and annexations.
·
Organizes and attends planning
commission meetings and Board of Adjustment meetings, prepares meeting agendas;
provides advice and guidance concerning matters coming before the commission;
prepares reports and exhibits as needed; and reports on current planning
issues.
·
Develops, coordinates and updates
the overall City land use and development guidelines, ordinances and
regulations including policy or changes to the comprehensive land use plan.
·
Coordinates and works with other
City departments including public works, building, and parks on general
community development goals including assisting with grant writing efforts.
·
Receives
and reviews, on behalf of the department, site and building plans submitted to
the City for review and processing and coordinates permitting processes. Prepares formal reports to the Planning
Commission and City Council regarding the adequacy and content of site and
building plans.
·
Conducts
field observations for technical completion, conformance with zoning
regulations and compliance with environmental regulations.
·
Prepares
files and maintains maps, exhibits, plans and other graphic documents as needed
for routine office operations.
·
Assists
the City in the enforcement of local land use and development ordinances and
compliance with City zoning and nuisance regulations.
·
May
testify as expert witness in court if required or assist with the preparation
of City lawsuits involving land use issues.
·
Performs
other duties as assigned or as needed.
EDUCATION – Graduation from an accredited
four-year college/university with a degree in land-use planning, urban
planning, geography, environmental studies or a closely related field which
would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability
required to perform the job.
EXPERIENCE – Three (3) or more years of
work in planning.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
·
Land
use planning principles, practices and techniques
·
Environmental
sciences
·
Cartography
and basic computer literacy and experience using a personal computer
·
·
City
government functions, policies, rules and regulations
·
State
planning statutes and general familiarity with legal foundations of planning
·
Research
methods and sufficient technical/analytical skills to interpret and prepare
data for planning studies and reports/recommendations pertaining to land use
control and EIS
SKILLS
·
Organizational
and time management skills
·
Ability
to interpret standard legal documents
·
Ability
to prepare clear, concise and accurate reports
·
Ability
to maintain detailed records and retrieval system for those records
·
Ability
to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
·
Ability
to work under pressure with challenging deadlines while coping with
interruptions
·
Ability
to prioritize tasks and work independently
·
Ability
to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships
·
Ability
to work as a team player
·
Ability
to enforce planning regulations
LICENSES
Must have a valid driver’s license
Work is performed primarily in an office environment and
approximately 15% performing site visits and/or meetings. Attendance at evening meetings is required
and occasional attendance at meetings and trainings outside City boundaries.
The job position is non-exempt under the laws of the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
The position is filled by appointment and reports to the
City Administrator. Removal is by action
of the City Administrator.
The duties of the above position require sitting, walking,
stooping, crawling, bending, reaching, pulling, twisting, and the ability to
lift up to 25 pounds. Must
be able to traverse all types of terrain in all types of weather, when
performing site visits/inspections.
Requires finger dexterity, sense of touch, gripping with fingers and
hands, ability to see, hear voice conversation, and to speak. Will require
sitting for prolonged periods of time; extensive use of computer keyboard.
The work requires a high degree of concentration, logical
reasoning and creative thought for sustained periods under time lines mandated
by State and Federal regulations.
PLANNER
BENEFITS
Salary: $35,000 to $45,000
Benefits:
In
2007, the City paid 100% of the insurance premiums for employee and dependents
(this is subject to change annually during budget reviews) and participates in
the following health insurance plan:
Association
of Washington Cities (
Regence Blue Shield/NW Health Plan
A
Medical Coverage for employee and dependents
Vision: One
eye exam per year, Employee only
Prescriptions:
$15 name brand or $4 generic copay for
employee and dependents
Washington Dental Service Plan A for employee and
dependents
Required
enrollment in the Washington Department of Retirement Systems
The City participates in the Washington Department of Retirement System. Under
current Department of Retirement System rules, this position will have the
option of enrolling in the PERS 2 or the PERS 3 classification.
Under the PERS 2 a payroll
deduction is taken for the employee’s share of retirement contributions (4.15%
of gross salary); the city also makes an employer’s share contribution (5.46%
of gross salary) for each employee with a defined benefit at retirement. PERS 3 is a two-component benefit system with
a defined benefit component and a defined contribution component (annuity). Employee contributions are set at six
different options, employer contributions are @ 5.46%
of gross salary.
Employees
have the option of making contributions to a deferred compensation
program. The City participates in a plan
administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
Employees
earn 8 hours of annual leave (vacation) per month and 8 hours of sick leave per
month. Maximum accumulation is 30 days
for annual leave and 180 days for sick leave.
In the sixth year of employment, employees receive an additional annual
leave day for each year of service over five years. New employees are not eligible for vacation
during their six-month probationary period.
City
employees receive the following paid holidays:
New Years Day Veterans’
Day
Martin Luther King Thanksgiving
Day
Presidents Day Day
after Thanksgiving
Memorial Day Christmas
Day
Independence Day
Labor Day Two
personal leave days
The
City of
DEMOGRAPHICS
The
official 2006 population is listed at 1315, representing ~12% of the total county
population. Nearly 14% of the City’s
population is over 65. There are 585 households, 54% of which are low-and
moderate-income households. Growth rates have been below the State averages
with most of the growth due to in migration. Beginning in 2005, the City has
attracted increased interest from residential developers with more than 200
newly created residential lots added to the inventory and thirty new housing
starts over the past twelve months.
ECONOMY
Historically the community relied on timber and
fishing for its economic base. Now tourism
and travel play an important economic role in Stevenson. According to the Office of Trade and Economic
Development visitor spending represents more than 70% of the total retail sales
with travel spending nearly tripling over the past ten years. Stevenson
attracts the outdoor recreationist, providing world
class kite boarding and windsurfing opportunities. Stevenson’s largest employers include
Skamania Lodge,
PLANNING ISSUES
Located
within the Columbia River National Scenic Area the City’s urban growth
boundaries are set by the Federal Act. Federal, State and private timberlands
surround the City on three sides. Moderately steep topography bisected by small
streams and rivers cutting into the soils deposited by ancient landslide
activity create a variety of challenges for development. Due to the relatively
slow growth rate the City currently is not mandated to plan under the full
Growth Management Act. Nevertheless, due
to the unique setting the City planner is frequently dealing with critical
areas issues, shoreline permits, fish and wildlife habitat protection concerns,
and SEPA/NEPA reviews. Currently the Planning Commission is working on the
City’s Critical Areas Update, finishing Open Space/Conservation Development
Guidelines, preparing to revisit its Comprehensive Plan and associated
subdivision regulations. City will be
focusing on long range planning in the next two to three years.
The
City of