ASSOCIATE PLANNER

Thurston County•Olympia, WA

12d•$6,034 - $7,937•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.