Job Class Specification for:
LAND USE PLANNER IV

Class Specification Schematic Number: 2010007

Class Summary:

Positions in this professional class, under managerial direction, take one or both of two tracks.  The first is supervising professional level employees performing tasks in either of two functional program areas: (1) The analysis and development of public policy initiatives and regulatory programs; or (2) The analysis, interpretation, enforcement and administration of municipal, state and federal laws and policies governing urban development and gaining compliance with regulations when violations occur.  

The second track is the technical expert track whereby incumbents serve as the expert with specialized knowledge, unique skills, and decision-making authority in the two program areas mentioned above.   

Employees in this class prepare or participate in the preparation of budgets with particular emphasis on workload analysis, financial accountability and performance standards; develop group performance measures; and direct and evaluate work performed by staff.  

Distinguishing Characteristics of the Class:

This class represents the highest level in the Land Use Planner class series.  This class differs from the senior level (Land Use Planner III) in that the Land Use Planner IV is either a full supervisor over professional Land Use Planners; or serves as technical expert and decision maker in complex, sensitive, and high-risk areas of land use planning.  In this latter technical expert capacity, the IV is further distinguished from the III level in that the IV level has decision-making authority over land use planning staff (and in some instances may override supervisors’ technical decisions); serves as the department’s highest technical expert in a particular program area; formulates and presents the department’s decisions and recommendations to elected officials; and oversees programs and projects that have high risk or potential liability, high cost, and complex compliance issues with state and federal regulations.     

The work of this multi-disciplinary class requires an extensive and comprehensive working knowledge of the development and administration of municipal, state and federal laws and policies governing urban and environmental land use; a comprehensive knowledge of City codes and policies; and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.  

Established guidelines exist within municipal, state and federal laws, and departmental policies, procedures and practices.  Substantial independent judgment is required to interpret, revise and apply a variety of guidelines, which may be outdated, vague or conflicting to situations which have significant legal, political and financial consequences.  Recommendations and decisions made by Land Use Planner IV’s usually reflect the highest level of technical expertise and review within the department.  

Personal contacts and working relationships include the general public, design professionals, City and private attorneys, City departments and government agency representatives, including elected officials, the news media and community groups to provide information and direction, advocate and defend interpretations, and provide technical expertise and negotiate resolutions to problems on behalf of the department and City.  

Examples of Work:

The incumbents in this classification perform the functions of the Land Use Planner III (senior level) in addition to the duties listed below:

• Supervises, plans, organizes and monitors the production and quality of work activities of Land Use Planners; establishes performance standards and conducts performance appraisals; identifies staff development and training needs; and recommends, coordinates and provides training activities.

• Serves as the technical expert and/or supervisor with unique skills and abilities in a particular field; and provides highly technical support and direction to staff on land use and environmental regulatory policy and program initiatives (e.g., Seattle Shoreline Master Program, regional environmental coordination initiatives, or Environmentally Critical Areas), or complex code interpretation and land use analysis.

• Serves as final decision maker on behalf of  the Director on most discretionary projects.

• Researches, initiates, performs and manages quality of service improvements such as technical and analytical enhancements for complex policy or code development initiatives, including guidelines for preparing, reviewing, researching and analyzing recommendations; and establishes model formats for presentation of materials and recommendations.

• Represents the department in high level interagency forums and with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and other departments to guide and advise City leaders on complex and controversial land use and environmental issues.  Acts without supervision as an agent of the Director or City in such forums.

• Serves as the department’s main technical advisor in the development of strategies for resolution of complex urban development issues that have high visibility, high controversy, and exposure to potential legal actions.

• Coordinates section or program operations and departmental or City approach to land use planning and policy issues and problems, or land use permit process administration and review, with section managers, other supervisors and among departmental and City programs.

• Develops annual work plans for and assists in preparing the budget; develops work standard procedures and processes; establishes production goals; and develops work programs and timelines for unit project objectives.

• Manages subcontracted professional planners and monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; and negotiates scope of work to include change orders, schedules and/or budgets.

• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

Work is primarily performed in a City office environment, however, frequent off-site visits to project sites occur and evening meetings are required.  Incumbents may be exposed to customers who may be argumentative or upset.  

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in urban design, urban planning, environmental studies, law, architecture, building construction technology, or a closely related field and six years of related professional experience to include either progressively responsible experience in land use, housing or environmental policy or regulatory program development; and/or progressively responsible experience in the review and analysis of new development, administration of land use or environmental regulatory programs or code interpretation.  Demonstrated experience in project management and supervision or lead work is required.  (Other combinations of education, training and/or experience which provide an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be considered).  

Licensing and Other Requirements:

A valid Washington State Driver’s License or evidence of equivalent mobility is required for site visits and evening meetings.  

Comments:

This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class.  It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.  

Class History:

Land Use Planner class series adopted in January 2002, effective June 23, 1999, incorporating elements from the Land Use Plans Examiner, Land Use Planning and Development Analyst, Land Use Technician, and Urban Design Planner class series.

Date posted 2/11/2002

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