Planning Manager bei City of Bainbridge Island, WA

About the Department

Open until filled.  Cutoff for first review of applications: 8 am, October 29, 2025.

The Planning Manager is a member of the Planning and Community Development management team, supporting the Director alongside the Building Official and Permit and Administrative Services Supervisor. This position supervises the hard-working, energetic and insightful team of an arborist and six planners, and oversees both the current and long range planning functions.
   
  The ideal candidate:

• Is a clear communicator and results-driven problem solver;
• Appreciates the value of excellent customer service;
• Takes pride in cultivating a workplace culture that embraces transparency, accountability, and collaboration;
• Has local government permitting, planning and supervisory experience; 
• Possesses strong command of applicable laws, rules and codes; and 
• Is committed to leading and managing process improvements in a demanding, fast-paced setting.

The Planning Manager is responsible for overall leadership and management of the planning team, including oversight of the team’s personnel, budget, projects, workflow, and policies. The Planning Manager administers land use regulations to ensure regulatory compliance in current planning and manages long-range planning functions.  

About the City of Bainbridge Island
The City of Bainbridge Island is a vibrant community with small-town feel, 52 miles of scenic shoreline and densely forested areas. Our employees are the most important asset in preserving and enhancing the special character of the Island, and in responding to the community's needs. The City provides competitive salaries, outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities.

Position Duties

• Manages the planning team through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation, and sound fiscal practices; manages staff and activities to achieve the City’s land use and regulatory compliance objectives; provides leadership to ensure that planning services meet the City’s strategic goals, and manages community growth consistent with the City’s comprehensive plan.
• Functions as a member of the Department’s leadership team; works closely with the Director, Building Official, Engineering Manager and others to guide and coordinate the team’s projects, services and day-to-day activities.
• Reviews staff work for technical accuracy and consistency with all applicable policies and regulations; ensures that regulatory timelines and deadlines are met; coordinates team’s written and oral presentations to the Design Review Board, Hearing Examiner, Planning Commission, City Council and other groups.
• Works with staff to resolve complex planning issues by researching City and state regulations, identifying alternative technical approaches and developing administrative code interpretations and/or other solutions compliant with City policies and regulations.
• Works with staff to evaluate permit processes for efficiency and compliance; manages implementation of new processes.
• Serves as the principal advisor to the City on land use and zoning issues; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects.
• Serves as a resource on an as-needed basis to major departmental initiatives, including updates to the Shoreline Management Master Program, Comprehensive Plan, and the municipal code.
• Ensures that the planning team’s programs are implemented in a manner consistent with City municipal code and administrative policies; develops, identifies and prioritizes team needs and program initiatives for consideration by the Director; recommends and implements programs and strategies.
• Coordinates activities with other teams in the department, other City departments, citizen advisory groups, and local, state, and federal agencies as appropriate.
• Assists in the selection of new employees and makes hiring recommendations to the Director.
• Provides assistance and supervision to assigned staff in planning and implementing programs; trains, motivates, coaches and evaluates staff; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives.
• Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities, workload and technical issues.
• Assists in budget development, providing data and analysis as necessary.
• Maintains timely and regular attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, environmental studies or a related field and six years of progressively responsible experience, including at least two years of supervisory experience; OR any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required. A master’s degree is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Detailed knowledge of the principles of management as they relate to day-to-day team functions and administration, to provide direction and motivation to staff, to recognize and enhance performance when needed, and to foster cooperative groups processes and efficiently use resources.
• Concepts, principles and practices of urban planning, growth management, sustainability, conservation, land use, permitting and environmental stewardship and regulations.
• Federal and state laws, rules and regulations affecting planning, land use and zoning.
• City land use and development regulations and zoning codes.
• Project planning and management principles.
• Research methods and report presentation.
• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

Ability to:

• Analyze planning issues, evaluate alternatives and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to develop work programs and to lead and coordinate the work of colleagues in other teams, or departments.
• Ability to manage diverse work activities of numerous, highly skilled staff in a manner conducive to proficient performance, high morale, and departmental effectiveness.
• Foster cooperative group processes and efficiently use resources; delegate tasks and workload assignments.
• Supervise, lead, coach and use best management practices to improve staff performance.
• Support and model the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialist software.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check is required.
• Certification by American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

Other Qualifications

Telecommuting/Residence
Some positions, including the Planning Manager, are eligible for a hybrid schedule (in-office and telecommuting), depending on the operational needs of the organization and department. Regardless of position or telecommuting authorization status, city employees must reside in Washington and within a reasonable distance to their regular work location.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for a hybrid (in-office and telecommuting) work schedule. The regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Work is primarily performed in an office which is busy, oriented to public service and subject to occasional work interruptions. Noise level is moderate. Position infrequently requires outdoor work, which includes driving a vehicle. Outdoor environment can include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, tripping hazards and inclement weather conditions. Attendance at meetings before or after regular work hours is required.

Physical Requirements

Continuous repetitive arm/hand movement is essential to performance. The incumbent in this position must be able to discern voice conversation, have the physical ability to perform essential job functions, and have hand-eye coordination sufficient to operate computers, do keyboarding and operate other office equipment. The incumbent must have the ability to produce legible handwritten documents and may need to push, pull, lift and carry up to 30 pounds.