Planning Manager

The City of Sumner is recruiting an experienced Planning Manager to join the Development Services Team. 

We’re looking for a Planning Manager who is equal parts big-picture thinker and roll-up-your-sleeves doer, someone who can discuss the Growth Management Act over coffee, navigate SEPA with confidence, and explain zoning to a neighbor at a community event without relying on acronyms (unless they ask). To you, planning isn’t just about codes and compliance, it’s about shaping places people love. You see parks and trails as community connectors, housing as the foundation of belonging, transportation as access and opportunity, and policy as a tool to help Sumner grow thoughtfully while preserving its small-town character. We need a steady, strategic leader who mentors talented planners, sets clear direction, and builds a team culture where collaboration and curiosity thrive. Someone who is just as comfortable in front of City Council as you are at a public hearing or walking a project site in the rain, because in Sumner, we show up.

If you’re ready to help guide a growing city while preserving what makes it special, we’d love to meet you.

Below are examples of typical duties:

• Provides strategic leadership and policy recommendations for areas of responsibility including long range planning, economic development, parks and trails planning, community services, affordable housing and other programs. 
• Supervises the activities of planning personnel including scheduling, assignment and review of work; mentoring, performance evaluation and making recommendations relating to hiring, discipline, compensation and termination.  
• Responsible for ensuring the City’s compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), and all adopted municipal ordinances, codes, and policies.
• Provides professional, technical and advisory assistance to other departments on issues related to planning functions. 
• Advises the Development Services Director, and other staff on all city planning-related matters.
• Serves as the City’s SEPA Responsible Official, overseeing environmental review processes and ensuring compliance with SEPA requirements.
• Responds to inquiries and counsels customers on problems, questions, and complaints regarding the planning, zoning, housing, transportation, annexation, growth management and other land use and community planning issues.
• Initiates development and review of land use, transportation, development and environmental codes and other policies; writes and/or coordinates the review of code and policy language.
• Prepares and submits reports and grants to support department activities.
• Represents the department at City Council, commission, and other meetings to present the department's plans and accomplishments and to discuss the development and implementation of programs, policies, etc.
• Serves as a liaison to civic and special interest groups, local service organizations and other municipal agencies to coordinate activities and to arrange the use of City services and/or resources.  Responds to citizen concerns and issues and determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community and customer relations for the department and City.
• Develops, updates and implements plans, policies and procedures to ensure smooth and continued business operations of their department in the event of an emergency.
• Performs other duties as required. 

 

Qualifications

Any combination of education, training and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Urban Design or related field.  
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible planning experience, including at least four (4) years serving as a professional-level planner with a city, county, or other municipal agency. Experience must include application of current planning, policy development, effective site planning practices, architectural design review, or a closely related field. 
• At least three (3) years' management and supervisory experience. 
• Master's degree or graduate level course work or training in Public Administration, Planning, Community Affairs or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience.

Special Requirements:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification from the American Planning Association preferred.

 
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, and practices related to the field.
• Federal, state, and local laws relating to comprehensive and current planning, growth management, building standards, and related issues; including Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), and all adopted municipal ordinances, codes, and policies.
• Environmental impact statements. 
• Municipal organization and department operations.
• Fiscal and budget management principles, practices and procedures.
• Personnel supervision, training and performance evaluation processes, and related city policies and procedures. 

Skills:

• Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City personnel, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Guide, direct, and motivate employees.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively delegate duties and responsibilities.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the effective management of the department and plan, assign and direct the work of the department.
• Effectively train, supervise and evaluate department personnel directly or indirectly.
• Effectively present plans, programs and recommendations to the City Administrator, the City Council and the public.
• Establish cooperation and effective communication within the Development Services Department and between other City departments, outside agencies, private organizations and the public.
• Establish and maintain sound management practices within the department and exercise initiative and judgment in all aspects of department management.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other government officials and agencies, elected officials, administrators and the general public.
• Solve problems through innovation, collaboration and solicitation of ideas/input from others.
• Maintain reliable, dependable attendance. 
• Contribute to achieving the City's Mission, Vision and Values.