Senior Planner (COM 3)

About the Department

Senior Planner (COM 3)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Local Government Division (LGD) partners with local governments, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the ability of all forms of local governments and community-based organizations to fund and develop critical services to their citizens. The division provides leadership in local government finance and statewide infrastructure initiatives that help create and retain jobs. It also provides grants, loans, and planning and technical assistance to local governments for community development needs, infrastructure improvements, and economic development opportunities. This position is in the Climate & Ecosystem Section of the Growth Management Services Unit of Commerce.

This position provides local governments technical assistance and other resources to implement the natural environment protection and restoration policy in the Growth Management Act. This includes critical areas protection, implementation of the Governor’s salmon recovery strategy, and Commerce’s role in the Puget Sound National Estuary Program, including implementation of the Puget Sound Action Agenda. This position requires a strong working knowledge of Washington State’s Growth Management Act and natural resource planning and policy.

Position Duties

Climate Change and Ecosystem Services Technical Assistance
Tasks include:
• Serve as the GMS unit’s subject matter expert on climate change and ecosystem related issues. Determine need and provide appropriate technical assistance to Washington counties, cities, and other stakeholders on climate change and ecosystem issues.
• Identifies and solves problems with effective solutions. Identifies information needed to clarify a situation and seeks information from appropriate sources. Takes the initiative to seek input from peers and supervisors to help with problem solving.
• Speaks on behalf of the agency in public meetings on assigned climate and ecosystem services program(s).
• Analyze proposed legislative bills as they pertain to the Growth Management Act to assess their potential impact on climate and ecosystem services and draft testimony for presentation to the legislature as assigned.
• Contribute to internal rulemaking workgroups with policy recommendations as it pertains to climate and ecosystem services.
• Provide technical literature reviews, interview subject matter experts, collect and utilize a variety of data to perform analysis, evaluate options, and produce reports and other research products to advance climate and ecosystem services program goals.
• Provide technical recommendations and presentations on climate and ecosystem services projects, programs, policies, and plans to federal, state, public and private stakeholders.
• Assist program leadership with development of policy proposals that require legislative action, including drafting recommendations for inclusion in Commerce decision packages to be submitted to Office of Financial Management.
• Lead and develop scope, methodology, benchmarks, milestones and timetables to ensure ecosystem planning projects are completed on time.
• Analyze proposed legislation, policy or other regulations related to climate and ecosystem services to provide recommendations on program priorities and policies.
• Analyze, review, and provide technical assistance on comprehensive plans and development regulations from local governments throughout the state on climate and ecosystem issues to ensure consistency with Growth Management Act.

Managing Grants, Loans, and Contracts
Tasks include:
• Conducts grant application and procurement processes for climate and ecosystem services program which includes creating requests for proposals, convening subject matter experts and key stakeholders to assist with proposal review, reading, evaluating, and scoring proposals, organizing and conducting review meetings, and making recommendations to management for grant and contract awards.
• Develops, updates, maintains, reviews, and analyzes spreadsheets, databases, and information systems to conduct program evaluation and reporting.
• Negotiates, drafts, and executes grants and contracts and subsequent amendments to scopes of work and special terms and conditions.
• Ensure deliverables and expenditure of funds for ecosystem and climate grant programs are met in accordance with agency policy.
• Provides technical support to grantees, identifies and resolves programmatic, scope of work, or funding condition conflicts.
• Conducts outreach and prepares communications to generate interest in grant programs.
• Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to streamline processes, develop best practices, and implement program delivery improvements.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of state and federal requirements for administering grant and loan programs. Interprets and applies federal and state laws and regulations.

Strategic Initiative Work Plan Implementation
Tasks include:
• Provide support to the Strategic Initiative Leads (SILs) to implement the work plans approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, including providing direct technical assistance to grantees and other local governments and organizations on NEP actions and subrecipient projects consistent with recovery of the Puget Sound.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with SILs and other state agencies to improve coordination, align priorities, and advance shared project outcomes.
• Advise Commerce about current Puget Sound recovery needs and priorities related to growth management issues in Puget Sound to support informed-decision making, alignment with regional recovery goals, and consistency with the Growth Management Act.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
• This could include such activities as collaboration with GMS unit staff on development of GMA guidance materials, supporting workshops or other general land use planning activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience in community, trade, or economic development in two or more of the following areas:
• Local or regional government land use planning
• Implementation of state or federal requirements such as translating statutes and regulations into local policies, programs, and procedures
• Ecosystem policy research to inform planning, evaluate impacts, and support climate-resilient development and ecosystem services outcomes at the local level
• Contract Management (particularly those funded with state grants or loans)

Education involves urban or regional planning, geography, environmental sciences, engineering, political science, public administration/policy or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience and one year of education
• 5 years of experience and two years of education
• 4 years of experience and three years of education
• 3 years of experience and four years of education
• 2 years of experience and five years of education
• 1 year of experience and six years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience and strong working knowledge of Washington state planning and plan implementation procedures, including Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA)and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Specialized training or experience related to climate planning, ecosystem services, critical areas, or other GMA technical specialties.
• Experience with administration of state or federal grants for planning.
• Expertise in principles, practices, and techniques of land use and Washington environmental laws and rules including the GMA and SMA.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Required Position Competencies:
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to understand and appropriately respond to community, partner, and stakeholder interests and needs.
• Strong problem-solving skills, highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office Suite products including Teams, Excel, Word, and Outlook and proficiency with remote work tools (camera, headset) and software (Zoom and Teams).

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: [email protected] - please reference the job number in your message.

Other Qualifications

Work from Anywhere in Washington State 
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at [email protected].
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity 
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at [email protected].  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
               
Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov