Job DescriptionThe salary for this position is: $6,034-$7,937 monthly.
The Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department is seeking a highly motivated
Associate Planner to join our Community Development Division. Under the guidance of a Senior Planner, the Associate Planner is responsible for leading and coordinating long-range planning projects and county-wide land use policy issues, with an anticipated focus on growth management issues, housing, joint planning with other local jurisdictions, critical area protections, and rural economic development. The Associate Planner will also coordinate more complex permitting processes, especially for projects in the Urban Growth Areas. The Associate Planner will use their skills to provide journey level expertise and guidance on long range planning and policy issues as well as independently assisting applicants on a variety of land use permit reviews and approvals.
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conduct journey level research at the direction of a Senior Planner or Planning Manager and provide detailed staff reports and recommendations.
- Advise elected and appointed officials, including the Planning Commission, on planning and policy issues and projects.
- Prepare and presents reports and information to advisory groups, committees, community groups, and private organizations.
- Holds or assists with open houses, workshops and stakeholder groups.
- Responds to public inquiries with information on the planning process and policy issues.
- Works collaboratively across disciplines and departments to problem-solve around planning issues.
- Prepare and/or review proposed new ordinance and ordinance amendments to county codes.
- Prepare and/or review proposed new amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan and subarea plans.
- Land use application review and preparation of staff reports.
The view the full job classification, click here:
Associate PlannerWORKING CONDITIONS: - Working Environment - Typically a quiet office setting, sitting or standing at a desk.
- Schedule - Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or similar. Work demands may require work outside the assigned hours.
- Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings and conduct site inspections.
- Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County Staff, and with members of the public.
WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:- Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals' lifestyle.
- Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
- Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
- Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
- Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
- Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Biology, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in professional level planning in current, long range, and/or environmental planning.
- Ability to utilize the personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, information retrieval and tracking.
- Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
DESIRED SKILLS - Master's degree in biological sciences, public administration, ecology, environmental planning, or a related field.
- Knowledge of planning principles under the Washington State Growth Management Act, including joint planning.
- Knowledge of or experience with economic development planning and housing issues.
- Knowledge of geospatial data analysis and interpreting environmental data.
- Ability to prepare budgets, familiarity with State and Federal funding opportunities to apply for grants and administer consultant contracts.
- Ability to quickly assess problems and act independently to positively resolve conflicts and coordinate efforts constructively and collaboratively to the satisfaction of elected officials, tribal partners, regulators, staff, local jurisdictions, consultants, contractors, and the community.
- Experience in project management and giving presentations.
- Ability to conduct effective research and evaluate complex data to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial planning policies or regulations.
- Ability to collaborate with other staff, property owners, developers, contractors, public officials, the general public, and representatives of other agencies.
OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:Questions about this recruitment? Please contact:
ana.rodriguez@co.thurston.wa.us. This position is:
- Represented by a Union
- May be eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Eligible for benefits
Items required for consideration:
- Application
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- List of three professional reference
Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.
