Planner II or III
Grays Harbor Council of Governments
Planner FTE Position
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Grays Harbor Council of Governments
Planner II or III
Full time with public employee benefits. Salary DOQ.
Experienced planner wanted for regional planning agency. Work includes long range, capital facilities, comp and community development planning, grants and public presentations.
For position description and application materials visit http://www.ghcog.org under Latest News. Application deadline July 1, 2019. Refer questions to 360.537.4386.
The Grays Harbor Council of Governments (GHCOG) is a regional planning agency serving Grays Harbor County,
all nine cities within Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor Transit Authority, the Port of Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor PUD,
Timberland Regional Library, the Chehalis Tribe and the Quinault Indian Nation. We are seeking a motivated
professional with a passion for helping rural communities to join our team.
Salary: $58,000 -$68,000 annually DOQ. This is a non-union, exempt position. Full benefits package.
Nature of Work: This is a highly-responsible position involving developing, coordinating and organizing planning
activities and initiatives and GIS/data as need to support those activities.
This position performs professional short & long range planning work including research and analysis, plan
development, grant research and writing, reports and presentations to councils, boards and commissions, and
creation, printing and maintenance of maps to support those activities, works with local agencies to develop
comprehensive plans, capital facilities plans, park and recreation plans and other plans/studies as needed,
including but not limited to transportation, land use, and infrastructure.
The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, be an effective communicator and be willing to be a part of a
small but collaborative work environment.
Supervision: Receives direction from Executive Director. As an experienced planner, operates with a high
degree of independent judgment, receiving only occasional instruction or assistance.
Description of Duties: The following duties are not inclusive of all duties, and the incumbent performs other
related duties as required.
General
1. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Be organized and detailed oriented
with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate the highest degree of ethical behavior.
2. Interact with federal, state, local government agencies and officials, Member Agency staff, and the
public.
3. Plan/conduct meetings/presentations with individuals and groups to guide the decision making process.
4. Attend and participate in public meetings and hearings held by Agency and Member Agencies as
needed, including occasional evening sessions.
Planning
1. Research/prepare/present staff reports, planning documents and recommendations on planning and
community development issues as requested by Member Agencies and assigned by the Executive
Director. Subject areas can include land use, park and environmental plans, transportation plans, capital
facilities plans, comp plans, community development and similar areas.
2. Research, develop/edit grant applications for Agency and Member Agencies.
3. Research, understand, use and communicate population, housing, employment and economic data from
a variety of state and federal resources.
GIS
1. Create, update, maintain and print mapping projects utilizing ESRI products/software, ArcGIS desktop
software, ArcGIS online, HP Plotter.
2. Manage and organize GIS data sets.
3. Analyze proposed and existing GIS applications and databases to help determine equipment
requirements, storage needs, and possible system enhancements.
Other Duties: Other duties as assigned.
This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working
conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and
requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in planning, urban
studies, public administration or a related field.
Experience: This is a mid-level professional planning classification. Four or more years of planning work
experience for one or more public agencies, preferably local public agencies, is desirable.
Proficient use of ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS online, HP Plotter, Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Publisher and Access), Microsoft Windows, Internet, and computer networks. Experience with website and/or
graphic design software is a plus.
Ability to satisfactorily pass a background investigation which shows no criminal activity which could directly
impact the ability to perform the job.
Requires a valid Washington State Driver’s License and appropriate insurance.
Requires knowledge sufficient to perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of responsibilities as
illustrated by examples in the above description of duties.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of the theories, practices, principles and techniques of public sector planning.
• Knowledge of GIS concepts and methods.
• Knowledge of Washington State land use including the State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management
Act, Critical Areas Ordinances and other related policies and procedures is preferred.
• Skills in project management.
• Skills in public presentations, public hearings, meetings, and other public review processes.
• Skills in operating ArcGIS Desktop and Arc GIS online programs and Microsoft programs.
• Ability to perform in an environment that requires independent evaluation, judgment and decision making.
• Ability to implement local planning objectives.
• Ability to prepare and/or assist in the preparation of comprehensive plans, reports and studies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, coworkers, Member Agency staff and the general public in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to organize work efficiently to meet deadlines and budget constraints.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a normal office environment. Deadlines, volume
of work, occasional evening work requires a flexible schedule. Requires sitting at a desk for extended periods of
time, using a PC work station for extended hours, extensive reading, lifting up to 25 pounds on occasion, driving throughout Grays Harbor County and the region for presentations and participation in meetings and hearings. The person in this position must have the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges; be able to communicate via phone; vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. The Grays Harbor Council of Governments is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate based on disability, race, gender, religion, age or ethnic origin.