Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Salary

$106,986.45 - $147,677.42 Annually

Location

Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA

Job Type

Regular

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

26-00273

Department

Community Development

Division

CD Planning StratPlanning

Opening Date

09/02/2026

Closing Date

9/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NONAFF

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

The City of Bellevue is rapidly maturing into a tech-centric, diverse, metropolitan city within the Central Puget Sound

Region. The Community Development Department is looking to fill the Senior Planner/Urban Designer position in the Strategic Planning Team with a creative, forward-thinking individual to help us shape and catalyze positive change. The department's vision is to secure Bellevue's future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant and equitable community.

The Strategic Planning Team works on a range of planning initiatives, including station area plans, urban infill development, and major placemaking features such as the development of the Civic Center and the continuing integration of the Bellevue Grand Connection. Collaboration, high level critical thinking, and organization is key to being successful in this position and organization. The Senior Planner/Urban Designer plays a primary role in orchestrating the planning and urban design aspects of the above, with the following broad set of responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide project management expertise for large, complex initiatives.
• Help strategize spatial configurations that further the city's development aspirations.
• Play a prominent role in representing design-based ideas for easy comprehension by city council, board and commissions, other departments, and stakeholders.
• Support the alignment of policy, regulation, and economic development goals with practical and suitable design documentation.
• Provide visual translations of the implications of development concepts.
• Identify existing typologies and generate new or hybrid prototypes for housing, retail and commercial structures, and configurations.
• Translate and test various economic constraints, policies and regulations with coordinated feasibility evaluations.
• Serve on various regional committees and represent Bellevue.
• Project manage and advance Comprehensive Plan Policy Amendments
• Generate reports and analysis on subjects such as TOD, placemaking, and design
• Provide inter-departmental support as a subject matter expert in design, transit oriented development, and placemaking.
• Organize and lead public engagement events related to assigned projects and support other public engagement events that are being led by different inter-department teams.
• Create, maintain, and manage various consultant contracts.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of all the phases of project management.
• Ability to develop, manage, and monitor work programs for complex and/or controversial projects with a focus on addressing City Council priorities.
• Skilled in conducting complex technical work involving transit-oriented development, placemaking, urban design, site planning, and spatial analysis.
• Understanding of how buildings, streets, parks and other cityscape components work individually and together (i.e. assembled).
• Ability to administer and maintain budgets, agreements and contracts with public agencies and consultants.
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, elected and appointed officials, and other stakeholders in areas of expertise.
• Ability to build partnerships with constituencies on controversial complex planning and design issues and, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of potential project impacts.
• Ability to prepare planning reports with supporting data and develop recommendations for various land use and urban development proposals.
• Familiarity with municipal planning and processes

Education and Experience Requirement

• Graduation from an accredited four-year university in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental studies, urban geography, or closely related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience as an urban designer, planner, or design professional. This experience could be in any order and in any allied discipline.
• Alternatively, a clear equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Certification as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the departments operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the Citys self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at https://c2mb.ajg.com/cityofbellevue

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the Citys non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

01

APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, you may edit your application before submitting. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental studies, urban geography, or closely related field?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or above

03

How many years of urban designer, planner, or design professional experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3-5 years of experience
• 5-7 years of experience
• More than 7 years of experience

04

Please describe in detail your experience with: (1) complicated urban design and multi-disciplinary development as expressed in urban design studies, design guidelines, and plans; and (2) how your work has considered associated development economics, community aspirations, planning regulation, and relevant building or design standards, guidelines, or codes.

05

Which project tasks have you managed? (select all that apply)

• Large or complex multidisciplinary projects
• Comprehensive Plan amendments
• Consultant contracts
• Project budgets
• Interdepartmental project coordination
• Regional committee representation
• None of the above

06

Give an example of a time you were responsible for keeping a complex project organized. How did you structure the work, track deadlines, coordinate communication between team members, and handle unexpected issues?

07

Do you hold AICP certification?

• Yes
• No

08

Which planning or design activities have you performed? (select all that apply)

• Urban design concept development
• Spatial analysis or site planning
• Station or district area planning
• Placemaking strategy development
• TOD analysis or design
• Urban infill redevelopment planning
• None of the above

09

Which stakeholder communication tasks have you completed? (select all that apply)

• Presenting concepts to elected officials
• Preparing reports for boards or commissions
• Facilitating public engagement events
• Coordinating with multiple city departments
• Collaborating with outside agencies
• None of the above

10

Which planning areas do you have experience in? (select all that apply)

• Land use planning
• Urban design
• Zoning or regulatory analysis
• Economic development alignment
• Environmental or cityscape analysis
• None of the above

11

What types of transit oriented development (TOD) projects have you worked on? (select all that apply)

• Station area planning (e.g., land use, zoning, access design)
• Corridor or district wide TOD planning
• Mixed use development near transit (e.g., residential + commercial integration)
• Multimodal access design (e.g., pedestrian/bike/transit connectivity)
• High density infill development adjacent to transit
• Affordable housing within TOD areas
• None of the above

12

If you are selected to move forward in the interview process, you will be asked to provide a portfolio work sample. Your materials should clearly demonstrate your relevant experience and align with the requirements of this position. Additional instructions, including format and page limits, will be provided at that time. Please confirm that you would be able to provide a portfolio.

• Yes
• No

13

The City of Bellevue is a hybrid workplace. This is a Washington State job, and candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of City Hall and be onsite in Bellevue at least 2 day(s) per week.

• Yes, I am interested in hybrid schedule and available to be onsite 2 or more days per week.
• No, I am interested in fully remote position.

Required Question

Employer City of Bellevue

Address PO Box 90012

Bellevue, Washington, 98009

Website http://www.bellevuewa.gov/