Published date: August 25, 2025
Job Title: Planner Senior Environmental
Organization: Snohomish County Public Works Department
Address: Everett, WA
Job Website Link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/snohomish/jobs/5033624/planner-senior-environmental?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Short Description:
Snohomish County Public Works, Transportation and Environment Services Division, is seeking a qualified and experienced individual to fill a key Planner, Senior Environmental position in the Environmental Services (ENVS) work group.
In this role, you will serve as a project manager and team member responsible for evaluating the environmental aspects of Public Works’ transportation projects to secure required federal, state, and local permits. Additionally, you will provide technical expertise in key areas such as critical areas regulations, environmental permitting requirements, mitigation site design, in-water construction oversight, mitigation site monitoring, and report writing. Your responsibilities will include managing consultant contracts, completing permit applications, and preparing SEPA/NEPA documents.
If you are eager to apply your knowledge and experience to make a difference in one of the fastest-growing counties in Washington, consider joining the Public Works team as a Planner, Senior Environmental in ENVS!
Job Category: Transportation
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Ref. Code: 2025-PWK4237R-AUG 2025
Salary and Benefits Information: $95,245.92 – $115,822.20 Annually plus benefits which include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, LTD, deferred compensation, paid holidays and leave, retirement, and annual COLA and step increases.
Full Description:
Qualified candidates:
ENVS seeks motivated, self-managing high performers who take initiative and are accountable for their work and actions. Ideal candidates have a passion for public service and are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. They should also possess strong oral and written communication skills.
At a minimum, candidates must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Prepare comprehensive permit applications, such as a JARPA, NEPA CE, HPA, and land use applications, along with supporting documents like critical area studies or reports, Biological Assessments, and SEPA Checklists, to secure required permits and approvals for transportation infrastructure projects.
Review and evaluate engineering plans and construction specifications to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
Identify and assess environmental impacts of proposed plans, leading the process of impact avoidance, minimization, and the development of mitigation measures.
Conduct comprehensive critical area reviews, including wetland delineations and ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations; prepare post-fieldwork documents such as wetland rating forms, baseline critical area memos, and maps.
Facilitate and actively contribute to meetings with diverse teams.
Perform additional duties or special projects as assigned, demonstrating proficiency in various computer software, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint), GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro), and BlueBeam.
The Selection Process:
Please attach a resume summarizing your work experience and skills that are relevant to this position.
Additionally, provide detailed and complete responses to the three (3) supplemental essay questions at the end of the application and provide a sample work product that best demonstrates your environmental permitting proficiency.
This job posting is to fill one position and to create an eligibility register to fill future Planner, Senior Environmental positions within the next 6 months.
The Environmental Services (ENVS) work group is responsible for regulatory permitting and environmental regulations review, wetland mitigation design, construction oversight, wetland monitoring, and agency reporting.
Teleworking Options:
The work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is also available.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and, if teleworking, must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
BASIC FUNCTION
To act as a project manager and coordinating member on assigned planning team. Provide leadership, with environmental and critical area administration technical expertise, in current or long range planning fields.
STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Serves as project manager or lead planner role for assigned current and long range planning function or functions; provides customer service functions and technical assistance to groups and individuals both inside and outside the department; assumes project manager role of land development review for proposals with the most significant environmental constraints and most complex critical area issues.
Analyzes issues and develops land use, environmental, cultural resources, economic development, housing, community development, and local government capital facility policy proposals; formulates plans, plan amendments, plan implementation strategies and regulations; presents policy recommendations and plan proposals to policy makers and the general public.
Serves as project manager and conduct development application review process which determines permit application completeness and conformance with comprehensive plans and applicable policies, regulations and codes; inspects and evaluates properties to determine environmental and critical area characteristics as well as compatibility with adjacent land uses; routes applications to other interested agencies and groups for comment; schedules and conducts technical review meetings with applicants and other affected parties; negotiates project redesign as appropriate; prepares and schedules cases for public hearings; reviews final site plans and approves minor plan modifications.
Schedules and performs lead staff role in public meetings, hearings, and council sessions for development application review, acts as executive branch representative; prepares oral land written presentations, including findings and reports; responds to questions and solicits input as appropriate.
Acts as a technical resource for Biologist Technicians, Biologists, and Senior Biologists; provides knowledge and training in the use of natural resource inventory methods and evaluation, biological data collection, and field inspection procedures.
Provides expert testimony on environmental and critical area issues at quasi-judicial land use hearings as well as judicial proceedings.
Responds to and resolves environmental and critical area conflicts and questions from the general public, government and private officials, the media and interest groups regarding zoning, subdivisions, code interpretations, permit processing and departmental policies.
Prepares reports and conducts environmental review under SEPA and SCEPO for the department and review other agencies environmental assessments; formulates, prepares and circulates environmental impact statements; evaluates and prepares environmental threshold determinations for non-exempt proposals; reviews and comments on environmental assessments and threshold determinations prepared by other departments or agencies; provides written and oral interpretations of applicable environmental ordinances and policies as necessary.
Conducts economic, demographic, housing, and land use-related studies, projects, analyses, and forecasts; develops and maintains empirical databases to support land use and other planning activities; designs and implements development monitoring systems.
Responds to inquiries for comprehensive plan, code and development information; interprets existing plans, policies and codes for the public.
Reviews plans, regulations, and other proposals prepared by other agencies and jurisdictions.
Designs and implements public involvement and information processes; supports county boards and committees; leads and/or participates in inter-agency planning teams, processes and/or development application review.
On a project basis, coordinates with other planners, engineers, biologists, and surveyors in performing plan preparation or complex development review and technical study tasks.
STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES
Attends professional seminars, training and meetings as required.
Conducts habitat related special projects as assigned.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
A Masters degree in planning, environmental studies, geography or related field; AND, two (2) years of environmental planning experience; OR, a Bachelors degree in planning, environmental studies, geography or related field; AND, four (4) years of planning experience; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provide the required knowledge, skill and ability to perform the work. Must pass job related tests.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required.
Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
principles and practices of planning and design
research and data collection techniques
mapping and charting techniques
current literature trends, regulations and developments in the environmental planning field
citizen involvement principles and techniques
planning related procedures and standards
combined federal and wetland delineation methods
wetland and freshwater ecology, wildlife biology and fisheries biology
Ability to:
gather, evaluate and document technical planning data
read, interpret and apply legal documents and descriptions
independently organize tasks, delegate responsibility and coordinate a planning team effort under deadlines
assume lead planner responsibility and provide necessary direction to associate planners and/or technical staff
synthesize the research result and use these results as a basis for recommendations
communicate effectively both orally and in writing
create graphics necessary to assigned projects
establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public
read, interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties
communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds
operate personal computers and associated software
work under stress and meet deadlines
SUPERVISION
Employees in this class receive administrative direction from an administrative superior. The work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through meetings, periodic status reports and results obtained.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed in the usual office environment with frequent field trips to locations throughout the county for the purpose of attending community meetings and coordinating program activities. The employee may be required to work evenings, weekend and holidays as necessary.
Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.