City of Bellevue, WAposted 2 days ago
Hybrid • Bellevue, WA
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
Bellevue Parks & Community Services is seeking a creative, forward-thinking individual to serve as Senior Planner within the Planning, Design and Project Management (PDPM) division. The PDPM division implements all aspects of planning, design, and development of park spaces and facilities; crafts the department's long-range planning and policy documents; acquires additional land and property rights for the system; and collaborates with local and regional partners to support and enhance the parks, recreation, trail, and open space system. The Senior Planner position has a key multi-disciplinary role, engaging the public and working closely with staff from other departments and agencies to advance the department's mission to build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks, open spaces, recreation, cultural arts, and community services.
Specifically, the Senior Planner furthers long-range planning and policy efforts within the department and participates in high-profile citywide planning initiatives that shape the growth and development of Bellevue. The Senior Planner assists in planning and design of public park spaces through community and stakeholder outreach, data analysis, and planning and design review. Finally, the Senior Planner supports the inventory, needs assessment, site planning and development of parks and open space system facilities.
With over 2,700 acres of parks and open space, Bellevue is known as "A City in a Park." The city is dynamic, international and multicultural, future-focused, diversity-driven, and high-performing with a vision for a livable, vibrant, and equitable community. Consider joining a team dedicated to realizing a vision where, in Bellevue, everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.Â
* Develop and support implementation of the department's planning and policy documents, such as the Parks and Open Space System Plan, Recreation Program Plan, the Diversity Strategic Plan, and other strategic and programmatic plans.
* Actively participate in citywide long-range planning initiatives led by other departments, contributing professional expertise on parks, natural resources, recreation, and community services.
* Conduct or support planning and design processes for specific park sites or community facilities through needs assessment, public engagement, feasibility and siting analyses, plan review and/or permit submission.
* Serve as technical advisor and analyst to senior management on long-range planning, strategic planning and policy development.
* Gather, coordinate, and interpret quantitative data and information for park system properties and facilities, such as property inventory, facility typologies, and user data analytics.
* Conduct or coordinate complex public engagement processes on highly visible projects using qualitative methods such as public meetings, surveys, focus groups, or interviews to collect, analyze and report findings.Â
* Write, or assist others in writing, successful grant submittals, budget proposals, award nominations, communication pieces, articles for periodicals or journals or other such products.
* Lead or assist the department in internal organizational development efforts, including maintaining department accreditation. Â This may include maintenance of department performance indicators and performance management systems.
* Present to and regularly support the work of the City Council and other city boards, commissions, and advisory committees.
* Understand and track community interests related to the parks, recreation, and open space system through collaboration with various department divisions, city departments, public and non-profit partners, and the general public.
* Act as a resource for all divisions within Parks & Community Services on strategic planning and program development.
* Perform original research and prepare written findings for parks and public space related topics to inform policy development.
* Provide official responses to inquiries from residents, and other local, state, federal, and tribal entities.
Supervision Received and Exercised
* Senior management relies upon this level to provide reasoning, judgment, and counsel when considering possible courses of action.
* Informal supervisory responsibility may be assigned at this level.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Demonstrated knowledge of planning processes and program development in the fields of parks, recreation, natural resource and habitat preservation, and community services.
* Knowledge of the principles, practices, regulations, and techniques applicable to parks, natural resources, recreation, park property acquisition and development.
* Expert knowledge of:
* Comprehensive plans and zoning including their preparation, process of adoption, and monitoring
* Research methods and the ability to compile and analyze new data
* Microsoft Office software to prepare documents and spreadsheets
* Community engagement techniques and public process for adopting plans and regulations
* City and public organizations and of general organizational principles and practices
* Ability to:
* Prepare and administer work programs, budgets, and grants
* Prepare and administer plans based on analysis of data, community engagement, and agency consultation
* Facilitate large or small groups dealing with complex issues, balancing competing viewpoints and desired outcomes
* Model designs and concepts by hand or with design software programs
* Organize and oversee work programs, including monitoring budgets, work schedules, grant requirements, and progress reviews
* Communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or regulations both verbally and in writing
* Establish and maintain effective trust-based working relationships and exert influence to persuade elected and appointed officials, staff of other agencies and the community
* Think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical conclusions and make sound decisions
* Think strategically and creatively to advance major City initiatives
Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:
* Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and a Masters degree in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, geography, political science, public administration, environmental studies, or a closely related field.
* Minimum: Five years of experience that provides the applicant with a comprehensive knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to parks, natural resources and recreation, land use, the environment, community services or other related areas. Included in the five years of experience must be two years of project management experience.
* Preferred: Seven years of professional related experience in the fields noted above. American Institute of Certified Planners designation.
* Or any demonstrated combination of education and experience.
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 accommodation 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/orcarryobjectsupto40pounds.
* The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
* Occasional work outside the office walking or traversing property, including areas with uneven ground.
Flexible/Hybrid Working: A hybrid work schedule is available for this position following an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
Specifically, the Senior Planner furthers long-range planning and policy efforts within the department and participates in high-profile citywide planning initiatives that shape the growth and development of Bellevue. The Senior Planner assists in planning and design of public park spaces through community and stakeholder outreach, data analysis, and planning and design review. Finally, the Senior Planner supports the inventory, needs assessment, site planning and development of parks and open space system facilities.
With over 2,700 acres of parks and open space, Bellevue is known as "A City in a Park." The city is dynamic, international and multicultural, future-focused, diversity-driven, and high-performing with a vision for a livable, vibrant, and equitable community. Consider joining a team dedicated to realizing a vision where, in Bellevue, everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live, grow, and thrive.Â
* Develop and support implementation of the department's planning and policy documents, such as the Parks and Open Space System Plan, Recreation Program Plan, the Diversity Strategic Plan, and other strategic and programmatic plans.
* Actively participate in citywide long-range planning initiatives led by other departments, contributing professional expertise on parks, natural resources, recreation, and community services.
* Conduct or support planning and design processes for specific park sites or community facilities through needs assessment, public engagement, feasibility and siting analyses, plan review and/or permit submission.
* Serve as technical advisor and analyst to senior management on long-range planning, strategic planning and policy development.
* Gather, coordinate, and interpret quantitative data and information for park system properties and facilities, such as property inventory, facility typologies, and user data analytics.
* Conduct or coordinate complex public engagement processes on highly visible projects using qualitative methods such as public meetings, surveys, focus groups, or interviews to collect, analyze and report findings.Â
* Write, or assist others in writing, successful grant submittals, budget proposals, award nominations, communication pieces, articles for periodicals or journals or other such products.
* Lead or assist the department in internal organizational development efforts, including maintaining department accreditation. Â This may include maintenance of department performance indicators and performance management systems.
* Present to and regularly support the work of the City Council and other city boards, commissions, and advisory committees.
* Understand and track community interests related to the parks, recreation, and open space system through collaboration with various department divisions, city departments, public and non-profit partners, and the general public.
* Act as a resource for all divisions within Parks & Community Services on strategic planning and program development.
* Perform original research and prepare written findings for parks and public space related topics to inform policy development.
* Provide official responses to inquiries from residents, and other local, state, federal, and tribal entities.
Supervision Received and Exercised
* Senior management relies upon this level to provide reasoning, judgment, and counsel when considering possible courses of action.
* Informal supervisory responsibility may be assigned at this level.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Demonstrated knowledge of planning processes and program development in the fields of parks, recreation, natural resource and habitat preservation, and community services.
* Knowledge of the principles, practices, regulations, and techniques applicable to parks, natural resources, recreation, park property acquisition and development.
* Expert knowledge of:
* Comprehensive plans and zoning including their preparation, process of adoption, and monitoring
* Research methods and the ability to compile and analyze new data
* Microsoft Office software to prepare documents and spreadsheets
* Community engagement techniques and public process for adopting plans and regulations
* City and public organizations and of general organizational principles and practices
* Ability to:
* Prepare and administer work programs, budgets, and grants
* Prepare and administer plans based on analysis of data, community engagement, and agency consultation
* Facilitate large or small groups dealing with complex issues, balancing competing viewpoints and desired outcomes
* Model designs and concepts by hand or with design software programs
* Organize and oversee work programs, including monitoring budgets, work schedules, grant requirements, and progress reviews
* Communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or regulations both verbally and in writing
* Establish and maintain effective trust-based working relationships and exert influence to persuade elected and appointed officials, staff of other agencies and the community
* Think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, analyze data, draw logical conclusions and make sound decisions
* Think strategically and creatively to advance major City initiatives
Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:
* Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and a Masters degree in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, geography, political science, public administration, environmental studies, or a closely related field.
* Minimum: Five years of experience that provides the applicant with a comprehensive knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to parks, natural resources and recreation, land use, the environment, community services or other related areas. Included in the five years of experience must be two years of project management experience.
* Preferred: Seven years of professional related experience in the fields noted above. American Institute of Certified Planners designation.
* Or any demonstrated combination of education and experience.
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 accommodation 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/orcarryobjectsupto40pounds.
* The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
* Occasional work outside the office walking or traversing property, including areas with uneven ground.
Flexible/Hybrid Working: A hybrid work schedule is available for this position following an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
