Planner III

NWIFC
NWIFC

Operations · Full-time

Washington, USA

Posted on Sep 26, 2026

NOOKSACK INDIAN TRIBE

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:Planner III

DEPARTMENT:Economic Planning & Development

REPORTS TO:Planning Manager & Director

STATUS:Regular Full Time / Exempt Salaried

WAGE GRADE:H

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  • Competitive salary DOE, COLA and merit increase as approved.
  • Employer Medical, Dental, Vision.
  • Basic Employee Life and Accidental Death and Disability – Equal to one year’s salary.
  • Employer Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability.
  • 401(k) and up to 4% Employer Contribution Match.
  • Paid Leave: Annual, Sick, Bereavement, Cultural, Jury Duty.
  • Holidays: Approximately 22 holidays and administrative closures annually.

SUMMARY:

The Planner III supports the effective operation of the Nooksack Indian Tribe Planning Department through land use research, community planning, project review, field work, mapping, technical analysis, and coordination with Tribal departments, community members, and outside agencies. This position prepares clear reports and recommendations on planning-related topics, supports land development and environmental review, and helps ensure planning projects are completed in a timely, organized, and compliant manner.

The Planner III is expected to maintain positive and respectful working relationships, support a healthy and service-oriented workplace, and work collaboratively with the EDP Director, Planning Manager, Tribal staff, Tribal Council, community members, and partner agencies while respecting Tribal culture, community priorities, lead Planning Committee meetings and the Tribe’s long-term planning needs.

EDUCATION, LICENSING AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Land Use Planning, Community Development, or a related field; or
  • Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years of directly related responsibilities; or
  • Eight years of directly related experience in the area of responsibility.
  • Two years of experience working with Native Americans or a Native American organization is preferred.
  • Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. A driving abstract may be required at time of hire.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Internal and External Coordination: Maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external agencies, including but not limited to Whatcom County and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and maintain positive working relationships with departments across the Tribe.
  • Policy and Planning Analysis: In collaboration with the Planning Manager, analyze, monitor, and address issues and policies that impact the Tribe and provide guidance to Tribal Council as appropriate.
  • Project Review and Permitting: Assist in the review of project plans and advise staff on permitting, zoning, federal and state regulations, and transportation requirements, assist with permitting policy updates.
  • Project Compliance and Completion: Ensure assigned projects are effectively completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Project Management: Support planning projects through effective coordination, organization, tracking, communication, this will include writing RFPs or RFQs, ATOs, Aiding with Interagency reports and follow-through to help ensure work is completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Transportation Duties: In collaboration with the Planning Manager, this position may assign Planning Technician transportation duties.
  • Tribal Lands Database: Develop and maintain the Tribal lands database.
  • Building and Housing Design Support: Assist in the architectural design for Tribal buildings and housing development.
  • Mapping and Schematic Drawings: Assist in the development of schematic drawings, mapping, and related materials using various software programs.
  • Survey & Legal Descriptions: Must know how to read and understand Surveys and Legal Descriptions and an understanding of Aliquot parts.
  • Research, Analysis, and Reporting: Organize and administer research studies, conduct analyses, and prepare reports and recommendations regarding land use, infrastructure improvement, environmental requirements, and other planning matters.
  • Technical Project Support: Serve as a technical specialist on assigned projects, and must be able to utilize outside agency search areas, such as Whatcom County Parcel Viewer.
  • Field Inspections: Perform field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and verify that development projects comply with approved plans.
  • CEUs: Must be willing to attend Training/ Education opportunities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Planning and Government Policy Knowledge: Knowledge of current Tribal and federal government policies as they pertain to the Planning Department and its functions.
  • Practical Judgment: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
  • Problem Solving: Ability to address problems involving several variables in non-standardized situations.
  • Tribal Community and Culture: Ability to work effectively and respectfully with the Nooksack Tribal community and Tribal culture.
  • Public Speaking: Ability to speak before groups of people.
  • Regulatory Understanding: Ability to understand regulations that pertain to the Tribal Planning Department, projects, and design.
  • Technology, Mapping, and Design Tools: Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, SketchUp, Whatcom County Parcel Viewer, and other mapping, design, and related technology tools.
  • Funding Opportunities: Ability to identify funding opportunities that meet the Tribe’s needs.
  • Written Communication and Records: Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports and maintain records, findings, documents, correspondence, and related files.
  • Plan Review, Legal Descriptions, and Technical Interpretation: Ability to read and interpret graphic instructions and technical materials, including blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, building plans, legal descriptions, land descriptions, surveys, and technical data or drawings to verify construction compliance with approved documents.
  • Inspection and Compliance Review: Ability to detect deficiencies or deviations from approved plans.
  • Land Records and Agency Coordination: Preferred experience understanding BIA land records, including Title Status Reports (TSRs), land descriptions, surveys, and working with BIA and BLM on records requests and other BIA/ BLM related documents & records.
  • Professional Communication: Ability to communicate and work effectively with federal and local government agencies, builders, contractors, office staff, and the Tribal community-at-large.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Must pass alcohol/drug test(s) at time of hire and throughout employment.
  • Must pass criminal background check(s) at time of hire and periodically thereafter.
  • Must pass all Nooksack Tribal hiring prerequisites.
  • Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
  • Duties are performed in an indoor and outdoor environment that may involve adverse weather conditions and related hazards.
  • Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, and balance are required, including bending, stooping, kneeling, stretching, and other physical exertions.
  • Must be able to speak, read, and write in English.
  • Must be in good physical condition and able to lift 10–30 pounds as required.
  • Requires constant use of both hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, or grasp while keyboarding, using phones, calculators, copiers, and other office equipment; writing instructions; filing; and performing other administrative duties. Job requirements include frequent forward and over-shoulder reaching.
  • Keyboarding may be required frequently for long intervals throughout the work shift depending on specific work requirements.
  • Requires ability to use computers, read fine print, and interact with the public and co-workers; visual requirements include hand-eye coordination and visual acuity in near and mid ranges.
  • Requires ability to answer phones and communicate with clients, community members, outside agencies, and co-workers while giving and receiving instructions.

HOW TO APPLY

  • To apply, complete the application and submit all required materials. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
  • Apply through the Nooksack Indian Tribe Human Resources Department website at: https://nooksacktribe.org/departments/humanresources/

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

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