Code and Policy Senior Planner

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.  

• Draft, process, and manage planning initiatives and amendments to the Land Use Code and other development regulations.
• Represent the City on various committees, at neighborhood organizations and community meetings, and at public hearings.
• Be responsible for project outcomes.
• 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.
• Conduct complex technical analysis that may be used for many planning purposes, including affordable housing strategy implementation, special initiatives, and associated processes.
• 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.
• Providing information to residents and community groups.
• Assisting with other City programs and special projects as needed.
• Maintain familiarity with federal, state, regional, and local housing programs, policies, and regulations.
• Maintaining appropriate records.
• 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.

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.

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. 
• 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. 

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.