Associate Planner

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 present reports and information to advisory groups, committees, community groups, and private organizations.
• Hold or assist with open houses, workshops and stakeholder groups.
• Respond to public inquiries with information on the planning process and policy issues.
• Work 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, :
Associate Planner

• 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.

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…