Senior Current Planner

Salary range is $81k to $170k with a midpoint of $118k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint however we may go slightly higher based on experience internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitivebenefits packagewith a wide range of offerings including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans a dental plan and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal addition to compensation and benefits youll find that we provide work-life balance opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction from the Current Planning Manager develops and implements Current Planning policy strategy and process in support of Sound Transits capital project development; in close coordination with local jurisdiction counterparts manages work products and deliverables to achieve critical objectives including development and implementation of permitting plans facilitation of capital project development review and achievement of development code compliance divergences or amendments (as needed) capital project entitlement (including related agreements such as Development Agreements and Staff Resource Agreements) and satisfaction of entitlement conditions; ensures that all applicable land use approvals are in place to support the timely completion and operation of Sound Transits projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform some or all duties listed and may be required to perform additional position-specific duties.

• Provides oversight of Current Planning on capital projects within assigned geographic area(s); performs daily management of project activities staff and consultants; manages negotiates and oversees the scope of work and deliverables for multiple interdisciplinary teams and consultant contracts supporting complex development review and land use approvals.
• Performs policy and regulatory program analysis regarding development review land use approvals and related high-capacity transit project issues; researches the viability of existing development codes and regulations; performs risk assessments associated with land use approvals; evaluates emerging trends and policy impacts and identifies needs for new land use code development revisions or policy changes and recommends courses of action.
• Develops recommendations and regulatory strategies with authorities having jurisdiction to streamline permit processes for major capital projects; negotiates land use approval process and terms with local government agencies to facilitate Sound Transits Agency-wide goal of reducing capital project delivery time frames.
• Manages Current Planning processes to successfully achieve needed project development review and land use and zoning approvals. Assists assurance of development code compliance across assigned Sound Transit project work packages while maintaining project schedule budget and scope.
• Provides oversight coordination and support in the preparation and assembly of multiple regulatory approval packages; tracks monitors and documents the approval process status through regulatory agencies; records final approvals and conditions; and facilitates Agency compliance with conditions.
• Establishes manages and tracks Current Planning consultant budgets hours contract procurement; Manages resources workflow and prioritization of consultant staff; acts as a subject matter expert and develops work plans for consultant and agency staff regarding Current Planning objectives.
• Provides interdepartmental support on Current Planning and agreement commitment matters as directed; serves on a variety of committees as requested; prepares and presents technical reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional departmental ad divisional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; models accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws Agency policies and procedures rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transits core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity equity & inclusion in alignment with Sound Transits Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules regulations and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities which could include systems operations and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning Environmental Sciences Regulatory Compliance Public Administration or closely related field. Four years of experience in project planning environmental review regulatory compliance and management experience preferably in the transit/transportation industry and/or within a public sector agency; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Masters degree preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Land use zoning and development laws and regulations and practices related to compliance.
• Federal state and local environmental laws and regulations particularly Essential Public Facilities NEPA SEPA Historic Preservation Act Endangered Species Act Clean Water Act Clean Air Act local critical areas regulations and permitting requirements.
• Federal state and local transportation planning requirements.
• Environmental impact analysis methods and issues.
• Principles and practices of project/program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of research and analysis.
• Facilitating effective multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Use of office equipment including computers and computer applications such Microsoft Office Suite to compile and prepare spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff management consultants outside agencies community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to discuss and explain them to staff and other constituencies and resolve issues that arise.
• Analyzing problems and collaboratively brainstorming ideas identifying solution options.
• Contributing to the planning and administration of large and complex public capital projects.
• Effectively partnering and working cooperatively with other departments local jurisdictions and agencies utilities contractors consultants and community groups.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries effectively in oral and written communication.
• Researching analyzing and evaluating permitting strategies for new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Developing and monitoring program/project consultant contract budgets costs and schedules.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid field office work environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery extreme weather conditions physical harm hazardous chemicals and/or extreme noise.
• This position is responsible for field site visits; may be subject to bending eye/hand coordination grasping hearing kneeling pushing pulling reaching repetitive motion sitting seeing standing talking walking seeing and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person will be unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class.

Required Experience:

Senior IC