Associate Planner

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

About The Position

The salary for this position is: 6,034.00 - $7,937.00 monthly Please note: This is a term-limited position running from January 2026 through December 2026, with the possibility of extension beyond 2026. The Community Planning and 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. Performs other duties as assigned. The view the full job classification, click here: Associate Planner WORKING 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 in the field. Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County Staff, and with members of the public. WHO WE ARE: The Associate Planner will be joining an experienced, committed, and fast-paced team working on impactful conservation projects across four watersheds. As a part of our Community Planning & Economic Development team, you will have the opportunity to plan for Thurston County's future and collaboratively solve complex community issues. The Community Planning team works with other county team members, landowners, community groups, the cities in Thurston County, state and federal agencies, and more. The experts of Community Planning & Economic Development are on the leading edge of major issues affecting the residents of Thurston County including: Habitat Conservation Comprehensive Planning Stormwater Management Water and Climate Data Monitoring Rural Water Availability Planning Agriculture, Forestry, and Open Space Planning Joint Planning with the Cities in Thurston County Shoreline Management The team members of Community Planning & Economic Development make it a wonderful place to work and effect change. CPED is a department of highly motivated professionals working for the people of Thurston County and planning for its future. CPED works to conserve natural resources, plan for resilient communities, ensure buildings are safe and energy-efficient and plan for future growth. Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage 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 Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com . Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Biology, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field depending upon area of assignment.
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.
Application
Letter of Interest
Resume
List of three professional reference

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.
Performs other duties as assigned.