Senior Planner

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department is seeking a highly motivated Senior Planner to join our Community Development Division. Under the guidance of the Community Development Manager, the Senior Planner is responsible for leading and coordinating a team of planning staff and executing land use policy development and implementation. The Senior Planner leads and advances long-range land use planning, including comprehensive planning, policy development, and growth management strategies that guide sustainable community development. This position provides expert analysis and direction on land use policy, future growth patterns, and implementation of adopted plans, while supervising Associate Planners engaged in both long-range planning and development review to ensure consistency with community goals and regulatory frameworks. The role is primarily focused on overseeing and implementing long-range planning initiatives, with a secondary, hybrid responsibility for development review. The Senior Planner manages a limited caseload of complex land use permits and supports staff in application review—including Shoreline Master Program permits, SEPA determinations, subdivisions, and critical area reviews—to ensure effective implementation of plans, codes, and policies. The position also includes mentoring staff, presenting projects to the Hearing Examiner and Planning Commission.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, public administration or a related field.
Four years of experience within a planning process related to urban or regional plans, comprehensive plans, or a facet of community development.
Must have valid Washington State Driver's License.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Communicates and interacts with executives and administrators of other organizations at the request and on behalf of the Planning Manager or Director.
Will provide immediate supervision, guidance, and training for assigned staff and interns on land use planning project review of land use permits.
Responds to public inquiries with information on the planning process and public policy.
Advises appointed and elected officials on public policy issues, planning procedures, comprehensive and special plans, as well as regulatory ordinances.
Prepares and presents reports to hearing bodies, committees, community groups, and private organizations to explain the impact of planning and development on the community.
Oversees and establishes methodologies for development of county code, updates to the comprehensive plan, and the review of land use permits.
Coordinates and guides development of county code, updates to the comprehensive plan, and the general review of land use permits to ensure consistent review.
Oversees and coordinates investigation, analysis, and preparation of documents for public policy issues, planning, and community development.