This position is open until filled, with a first review date of August 19, 2026.
Job Summary
The Planning Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily operations of current planning functions, including supervision of planning staff, administration of land use regulations, and review of development applications. This position serves as the City’s SEPA Official, administers the Shoreline Management Program and Flood Plain regulations, and ensures consistent and timely permitting in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Unified Development Code (UDC). The Planning Supervisor provides professional guidance to applicants, staff, and the public to support orderly, compliant, and sustainable development within the City of Moses Lake.
Essential Functions
Regulatory Administration
- Serve as the City’s SEPA Responsible Official, including threshold determinations, review of environmental checklists, issuing environmental decisions, ensuring SEPA compliance, and coordinating with agencies and affected parties.
- Manage the contract with the hearing examiner(s). Coordinate and manage hearings; lead the preparation of all reports and materials for hearings. Provide staff support (including agenda preparation, minutes, meeting recordings, logistics, etc.) for Planning Commission meetings.
- Administer the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and flood plain regulations, ensuring development proposals within shoreline jurisdiction comply with state regulations, local SMP and flood plain standards, and RCW/WAC requirements.
- Oversee daily permitting and land use approvals in accordance with Chapter 15 UDC, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and timely processing of permits.
- Interpret and apply municipal codes, zoning regulations, subdivision standards, and related ordinances.
- Review, evaluate, and sign off on planning, zoning, and land use applications including site plans, conditional uses, variances, subdivisions, rezones, comprehensive plan amendments, and development agreements.
Division Leadership and Supervision
- Provide day to day leadership, direction, and oversight to staff assigned to the current planning function (i.e., planning permits), establishing clear expectations for professionalism, communication, customer service, and accountability.
- Exercise independent judgment in planning, coordinating, and prioritizing workflow to ensure reliable and timely permit processing, shoreline reviews, and SEPA determinations, maintaining responsibility for outcomes rather than hourly work time.
- Maintain consistent management presence and responsiveness; ensure staff understand work expectations, deadlines, and service levels for permit issuance and land use review functions. Leaders must remain accessible and responsive to operational needs.
- Model compliant leadership behavior by monitoring non exempt staff schedules, avoiding unauthorized overtime, ensuring meal/rest break adherence, and approving time worked consistent with FLSA.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and support to assigned staff; regularly evaluate performance, identify development needs, and address performance concerns promptly and appropriately.
- Adjust work priorities as emergent issues arise, ensuring continuity of service and compliance with regulatory timelines. The person in this position is expected to meet responsibilities, attend critical meetings, and maintain awareness of staff workload to prevent avoidable overtime for nonexempt employees.
Customer Service and Public Interface
- Provide professional assistance to developers, contractors, property owners, and members of the public.
- Facilitate pre-application meetings and assist applicants through the permitting process.
- Prepare staff reports, findings, and recommendations for the Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, and City Council.
- Present complex planning topics and policy recommendations to elected officials, committees, and community groups in a clear and accessible manner.
Policy Work
- Coordinate with long-range planner(s) on changes in state and local regulations. Give feedback to long-range planner(s) on how well development regulations are working.
- Monitor state law changes affecting land use, SEPA, and shoreline management; recommend local updates as needed.
- Support strategic planning initiatives, housing and growth strategies, and special studies.
Project and Workflow Management
- Track permit timelines, project progress, and deadlines; ensure compliance with statutory and internal review requirements. Strive for continuous improvements in the processing of permits.
- Continuously improve customer service for permit applicants, including improving the ease and flow of the permitting portal and permit software.
- Resolve conflicts, troubleshoot procedural issues, and provide final quality control for planning decisions.
- Manage consultant work on projects as assigned.
Other Duties
- Represent the department at internal workgroups, interagency meetings, and regional planning forums.
- Perform additional related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required by the Position
Knowledge of:
- SEPA regulations, processes, and environmental review requirements.
- Shoreline Management Act, Washington Administrative Code, and local SMP implementation standards.
- Municipal land use law, zoning principles, subdivision regulations, and permit processing rules.
- Urban planning best practices, community development principles, and growth management strategies.
- Research, data analysis, and report writing methods.
- Supervisory practices, workload planning, and employee development.
- Permit processes and continuous process improvement.
Skills in:
- Interpreting and applying local, state, and federal regulations.
- Leading and mentoring planning staff.
- Facilitating effective public engagement and applicant guidance.
- Managing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities.
- Preparing clear and well-reasoned staff reports and presentations.
- Maintaining professional relationships with staff, applicants, elected officials, and the public.
Supervisory Controls
The Building Official/Fire Marshal assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.
Guidelines
Guidelines include the Moses Lake Municipal Code, the Growth Management Act, SEPA, the Shoreline Management Act, applicable RCW and WAC as well as federal regulations, and City and department policy and procedures. These guidelines require judgement, selection, and interpretation in application.
Complexity/Scope of Work
The work consists of varied management, regulatory, analytical, supervisory, and customer service duties. Assignments frequently involve:
- Complex land use applications requiring coordinated review with Building, Fire, Engineering, other city departments, and external agencies.
- Interpretation of environmental regulations, SEPA thresholds, and shoreline jurisdiction requirements.
- Balancing development timelines with statutory review periods and public process requirements.
Contacts
Contacts are typically with:
- Co-workers and staff in Building, Engineering, Fire, Code Enforcement, Administration, GIS, Legal, and Public Works.
- Developers, contractors, consultants, property owners, and applicants.
- Representatives of state agencies such as Ecology, and regional partners.
- Members of the public seeking land use, environmental, or shoreline information.
- Elected and appointed officials, including City Council, Planning Commission, and Hearing Examiner.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The work is typically performed in an office environment, with intermittent field visits to development sites, shoreline areas, and locations requiring inspection. The employee may:
- Sit or stand for extended periods while reviewing plans or conducting meetings.
- Occasionally walk rough or uneven terrain, stoop, or bend during site inspections.
- Occasionally lift light objects such as plan sets, equipment, or field materials.
- Distinguish between shades of color in maps or plan review and operate standard office technology.
Work may involve exposure to outdoor weather conditions, construction site hazards, dust, noise, and waterbody environments during shoreline field inspections. Appropriate protective equipment may be required depending on site conditions.
Supervisory and Management Responsibility
The Planning Supervisor plans, assigns, and supervises the work of staff assigned to the current planning function. The Planning Supervisor checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and accuracy of the final results. The Planning Supervisor conducts performance evaluations and manages the performance of assigned staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or related field is preferred.
- AICP preferred but not required.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience. Prior supervisory experience preferred but not required.
- Experience reviewing land use applications and performing SEPA analysis.
- Previous experience in municipal government sector.
- All applicants must be able to successfully pass a background check process which includes reference checks and criminal history checks, or other.
Moses Lake is a diverse, connected and supportive community of innovation and opportunity that values its namesake lake, small town vibe, growing arts and cultural scene, aerospace, manufacturing and agricultural heritage, and an abundance of sunshine and outdoor activities.
Working for the City will afford you the opportunity to support the vision of Moses Lake, grow professionally, and work among diverse and dedicated staff with a goal to provide a service-oriented government that works with all interests in the community to implement our vision.
Our location and climate allow our residents to enjoy a variety of interests surrounding the Moses Lake community. Moses Lake is centrally located between Seattle and Spokane on Highway I-90 between fields of agriculture, freshwater lakes, vineyards and popular recreational destinations.
Moses Lake boosts active community parks and events, athletic venues and tournaments, a campground, and the popular Surf 'n Slide water park. The surrounding Columbia Basin area is filled with wine tours, a wildlife refuge, the Gorge Amphitheater, local fresh markets with direct-from-the-farm produce, and boutiques.
The City of Moses Lake is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our objective is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran.
The City of Moses Lake offers a comprehensive benefits package. Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition to basic life insurance coverage, AD&D, dependent life, additional life insurance, long-term disability, EAP and LifeFlight are also offered. Retirement is through the Department of Retirement Systems - Public Employees Retirement System. Optional deferred compensation is offered with a City match of up to 2% of the employee's base salary. Beginning January 1, 2024, the City began offering an optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care. Employees of the City receive eleven (11) paid holidays plus one (1) floating holiday annually. Vacation accrual begins at 12 days annually and increases with years of service. Sick leave is accrued at the rate of eight (8) hours per month.
