Assistant Planner/Permit Technician

This position is responsible for professional-level urban planning and assistance with a variety of tasks in day-to-day operations of the Community Development Department. Work involves activities in support of major planning projects, such as preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, general long-range planning issues, current planning, permit processing, and assisting with SEPA administration.  The work also requires the application of well-developed written and analytical skills in subjects related to planning and permit processing. Issues are often highly sensitive and require direct contact with residents, elected officials, and other community stakeholders. This position is the first point of contact for inquiries regarding the Normandy Park Municipal Code for building, land use, and environmental regulations, and submittal requirements for permit applications. The position coordinates permit processing work with the Director and with other city departments, contracted consultants, and other governmental agencies. The position performs administrative and technical work to receive, process, route, and review permit applications and issue permits, coordinating with customers and staff to ensure that complete information is included on permit applications, and to assess whether permit applications can be received and routed. Work is often performed under deadline and may require attendance at meetings, hearings, and functions held outside of normal work hours. The position performs other special projects and duties as required.  Essential Functions·        Subject matter expert in and project manager for the various permit application, receiving and routing, processing and review, and issuance functions·        Ensures consistency and coordination between the various professional reviewers and their requirements before project approval·        Responds to and manages information requests regarding land use processes, building, zoning, and environmental review·        Provides support to the Community Development Director for Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee by preparing agendas and meeting minutes ·        Advises staff on public policy issues, planning procedures, and regulatory ordinances·        Develops and prepares correspondence and reports·        Practices continuous quality improvement for internal procedures, operations, and data compilation and maintenance·        Assists in the preparation of census materials, coordination of planning efforts with other jurisdictions, and grant program implementation·        Reads and interprets construction plans to determine compliance with requirements, and calculates and verifies permit valuations, fees, and invoices·        Works semi-independently in a rapidly-paced, multiple-task work environment·        Effectively interacts with all customers both external and internal and practices active listening to defuse tense or conflict-oriented situations·        Operates a personal or desktop computer, tablet, and mobile phone using software suites such as MS Office 365, Adobe Acrobat, ArcMap, and other application-based software including web publishing software. Excel experience is a plus Knowledge·        Basic knowledge of local planning, building, zoning, land use and development codes, and municipal government procedures·        Knowledge of principles, practices, standards, policies and techniques in the field of municipal land use planning·        Knowledge of construction terminology, technology, methods and building materials·        Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) programs·        Familiarity with applicable state legislation including the Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Program, and state building codes·        Research methods and the ability to compile and analyze original data in spreadsheet form, as well as general administrative practices, filing, and recordkeeping Skills ·        Effectively communicate in speaking and in writing·        Effectively manage the work load and day using prioritization and time management·        Demonstrable outstanding customer service for both external and internal customers·        Applying creativity to examine solutions to problems Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in urban planning or a related field; or any combination of education and experience which would provide the desired abilities, knowledge and skills required to perform the job including relevant coursework in business, construction management, public administration or related field AND a minimum of one year’s permit technician experience or equivalent experience in local government administration.