Planning Specialist Jobs

Class Summary

Provides technical planning support and complex assistance to the public that requires considerable knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.

Examples Of Job Functions

This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides administrative support to boards and commissions related to planning and historic preservation.
• Performs related work as required.
• Evaluates development, historic preservation, and design review applications to check for completeness and to verify compliance with City code requirements for land use actions.
• Gathers, compiles, and evaluates land use or permit data, or prepares statistical charts for evaluations used in various studies.
• Operates a calculator, computer, photography equipment, and automobile.
• Answers inquiries from the public pertaining to permitting, development codes, land use, and zoning.
• Reviews site plans for permit applications; enters and manages approval status in the computerized permit managements system.
• Prepares maps and other material and exhibits for the Development Services Center, Planning Department, Historic Preservation Office, and boards and commissions.
• Assists professional staff in studies and analyses relating to the comprehensive plan, proposed construction, redevelopment, land use or zoning projects, and population studies.

Minimum Qualifications

Combinations of education and experience that are equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Open Entry Requirements:
(Open-entry applicants must meet all requirements when they apply.)

• Experience: Three years of experience researching or writing legal descriptions, interpreting land use regulations, or the issuance and administration of permits for projects associated with a municipal or urban planning agency.
• Education: Completion of two years of study (60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours) at an accredited college or university that included at least 12 semester or 18 quarter credit hours in courses related to planning, engineering, landscape architecture, or closely related field. AND
• Substitution: For positions in the Office of Historic Preservation only, college level coursework in history, historic preservation, or a related field may meet the education requirement.

EXAMINATION DETAILS
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online by 4:00 p.m. on the filing cut-off date.
Upon request, at time of application, the City will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory, or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.
The examination will consist of a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), with scoring weight assigned as follows:

• T&E 100%

EXAMINATION DETAILS:
You will receive a link to the Planning Specialist T&E via email, prior to 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the start dates and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the due dates as listed below. Please note that this email will be sent from City of Spokane ([email protected]).

• Applicants who apply and meet the minimum qualifications between Monday, August 14 2023 and Monday, September 4, 2023 will test Thursday, September 7, 2023 through Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Training And Experience Evaluation Details

• Failure to complete all the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
• "See Resume" or "See above," etc., and copy/paste from a previous answer are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
• TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.
• Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
• Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
• Copies of your college or university transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted) may be a required part of this application and will be used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications, as posted on the job announcement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.