Assistant Planner Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $140,601.25 - $189,811.79 Annually
Location : City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA
Job Type: Regular, Full-time
Job Number: 2600015
Department: Planning
Division: PLANNING
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
JOIN REDMOND!
The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community and home to over 80,000 residents. Redmond is the hub of an array of commerce and industry, ranging from technology, aerospace, and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups. In this role, you will represent the City and our values of service, integrity, accountability, belonging, and stewardship.
This position oversees the Development Services Land Use Planning Division and provides overall direction and management for the City's current planning function. It involves managing, initiating, and supervising the division's activities. The role includes developing policies, programs, and initiatives to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and to advance citywide and departmental goals. The position directly manages the division's budgets, contracts, and resources and oversees staff involved in current planning tasks. It also includes performing technical and professional planning for special projects and programs. Additionally, the role serves as a liaison and representative on current planning issues to City boards, commissions, departments, City Council, and external agencies.
The Development Services Land Use Planning Division oversees current planning efforts for the City of Redmond. The Division is responsible for development review, implementing the Comprehensive Plan, administering the zoning code, and preparing policy and process amendments and standard operating procedures. The Development Services Land Use Planning Manager provides operational leadership to ensure legally defensible decisions, consistent code application, and predictable timelines.
Note: As part of your application, we ask you please submit your resume, a cover letter summarizing your interest in the position (highlighting your experience managing planning functions and development review), and a writing sample of a staff report you authored.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs and manages the City's current planning functions, including development review, code interpretation, and policy implementation.
• Supervises professional and administrative staff; sets performance expectations, conducts staff evaluations, and addresses performance issues.
• Directly manages: Principal Planners, Senior Planners, Planners, Assistant Planners, and others as required by departmental organizational needs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable state law, municipal and zoning codes, and adopted City plans and policies.
• Oversees preparation of legally defensible findings and staff reports.
• Establishes division procedures to ensure timely permit processing and consistent decision-making.
• Reviews and signs off on complex or high-profile development applications.
• Manages the public engagement process and represents the City before committees, commissions, City Council, and other public bodies.
• Collaborates with Building, Engineering, Inspection, Fire, and other departments as necessary to resolve interdepartmental issues.
• Assists in developing the division's budget and performance metrics.
• Facilitates resolution of complex development issues between applicants, developers, and City staff to support timely and coordinated project review.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Washington State land-use statutes and quasi-judicial and administrative development review procedures.
• Advanced understanding of code interpretation and comprehensive planning principles.
• Ability to manage complex or politically sensitive development proposals.
• Strong supervisory and performance management skills.
• Ability to plan, schedule, assign, coordinate, and monitor the work of professional and technical staff.
• Ability to establish clear procedures and improve operational efficiency.
• Sound judgment and ability to make defensible decisions under pressure.
• Ability to communicate complex land use issues and codes to elected officials and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Land Use, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field. Master's degree preferred;
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience with work experience directly related to City planning and development activities, parks planning as applicable, and experience in leading project management;
• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership in a community setting involving diverse populations with knowledge of best practices in equity and inclusion.

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid WA State Driver's license required
• American Institute of Certified Planners designation preferred

Other
This class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties, and the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job.
Please review the job description for more information about the knowledge, skills, abilities, working conditions, and physical requirements.
BENEFITS
Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente. All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond.
• PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan
• DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
• PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS - with (13) paid holidays per year
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include: Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan
• Annual COLA adjustments
• Annual merit increases of up to 5%

To learn about benefits at the City of Redmond, please visit C2MB (ajg.com)
Please visit to learn about benefits at the City of Redmond
Benefit rates are subject to change without notice due to federal and state mandates and contractual changes as applicable.
01
Please select your highest level of education.

• High School or GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02
Describe your experience managing a planning or development review team. Include the team's size and structure, your approach to setting expectations, and how you address performance issues.
03
Provide an example of a situation in which you had to interpret or apply an ambiguous code or policy. How did you reach a decision, and how did you communicate it?
04
Describe your experience reviewing complex development applications. What types of projects have you worked on, and what was your role in ensuring timely, defensible decisions?
05
Describe a time when you had to resolve a conflict between an applicant and the jurisdiction. What was the issue, and how did you facilitate a resolution?
06
Describe your experience preparing or overseeing staff reports and decision documents. What steps do you take to ensure their clarity, accuracy, and legal defensibility?
07
Provide an example of a change you implemented to improve permit processing, development review timelines, or interdepartmental coordination.
08
Describe how your education and professional experience have prepared you for this role, particularly in land use law, zoning, and development review.
09
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

10
As part of our application process we ask that you submit your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Did you submit these materials?

• Yes
• No

Required Question