Planner I - 2 Year Special Projects

Washington County Office of Administration is seeking a Planner I for a 2-year Special Projects position. This role will assist higher level planners and managers with county-wide policy, administration, and planning efforts including the Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan, annual legislative platform, continuous improvement processes, and other initiatives as assigned. This role will work closely with county departments, city and township staff and elected officials, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Desired candidates should have experience in local planning, public policy (either as a consultant for a municipality/county or for a municipality/county directly), working with diverse stakeholders, project management, and stakeholder coordination

We value your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment and believe diversity benefits and enriches our programs, our staff, and communities we serve.

• Previous experience in policy development, regional planning, meeting facilitation, and community engagement
• Ability to take initiative on collaborative projects and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Professional communication skills, including writing and interpersonal skills
• Previous experience interacting with elected officials and project commissions while providing meeting support and administration

E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation Poster
Right to work Poster

This is entry level professional work assisting higher level planners, managers, or engineers in developing comprehensive short-and long- range planning, projects, and programs in the area to which assigned; assists in the preparation of plans, reports, recommendations, and grant proposals in cooperation with senior staff; takes appropriate action, and reports the results of the actions taken.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Planner I requires a Bachelor's Degree degree in urban planning, geography, economics, community health, business administration, marketing, public administration or field directly related to area of assignment.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
• Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace
• Demonstrates knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations impacting county government;
• Demonstrates knowledge of planning and research/analysis principles, methods and techniques, including knowledge of the principles of computerized information systems and user data
• Demonstrates ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in determining appropriate coordination mechanisms in a variety of assigned areas;
• Demonstrates ability to prepare and make effective oral and written presentations for use within and outside the organization; express oneself clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing;
• Demonstrates ability to acquire and apply learned knowledge in using GIS technology and other applications used by the County to hold and manage data;
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

Conduct needs assessment, analysis studies and special evaluations projects:
• Coordinate and implement data collection for needs assessments, planning processes, and community concerns;
• Conduct policy and process analysis, develop recommendations and coordinate implementation;
• Develop and administer measurement tools and surveys, interpret results and make recommendations;
• Develop written reports and presentations;
• Review legislative actions and evaluate impacts;
• Prepare data for legislative use;
• Performs cost-benefit analysis; and
• Coordinate and analyze information for development of rules and regulations as needed.
• Coordinates stakeholder outreach to gather input on programs or proposals; presents background research information to the public; records and summarizes responses

Plan, implement and maintain programs, processes and policies:
• Develop and recommend short-and long-range planning processes;
• Manage projects; processes, policies and protocols;
• Develop work plans,
• Assist with County review of community plans;
• Develop and implement quality improvement and assurance activities;
• Conduct public meetings, forums and hearings;
• Prepare information for public distribution; and
• Review processes and procedures and recommend improvement strategies.
• Manages assigned projects as directed to include development of work plan, monitoring contracts for services, assigning and monitoring work and project expenditures

Participate in financial activities:
• Monitor service contracts;
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of special grants or other fund applications, research and writing reports and proposal development.
• Work with local and state units of government and the general public as well as coordination with other County staff and departments.

Perform other related duties as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

Work is sedentary in nature performed within the Government Center or satellite offices. Lifting requirement of 15-20 pounds on an occasional basis. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation due to high concentration of filing, compiling, calculating, or computer work. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, calculator, telephone, copier/scanner/fax machine. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
Must have own means of reliable transportation for business purposes. Individuals operating a motor vehicle for County business must possess a valid driver's license.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

Salary : $29 - $40