Associate Planner

The salary for this position is: 6,034.00 - $7,937.00 monthly.

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, housing, joint planning with other local jurisdictions, critical area protections, and rural economic development.

The Associate Planner will also coordinate complex permitting processes, especially for projects in the Urban Growth Areas, provide journey‑level expertise and guidance on long‑range planning and policy issues, and independently assist applicants with land‑use permit reviews and approvals.

• 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.
• Host 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 ordinances and ordinance amendments to county codes.
• Prepare and/or review proposed new amendments to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and subarea plans.
• Review land‑use applications and prepare staff reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Environment: typically a quiet office setting, sitting or standing at a desk.
• Schedule:
  
  Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM or similar; work may require hours outside the assigned schedule.
• Travel: occasional travel may be required for meetings, trainings, and site inspections.
• Customer Interactions: daily interactions via phone, in‑person, and video with Thurston County staff and members of the public.

The Associate Planner will join an experienced, committed, and fast‑paced team working on impactful conservation projects across four watersheds. As part of our Community Planning & Economic Development team, you will plan for Thurston County’s future and collaborate to solve complex community issues with county staff, landowners, community groups, city partners, and state and federal agencies.

Our focus areas include habitat conservation, comprehensive planning, stormwater management, water and climate data monitoring, rural water availability planning, agriculture & forestry & open space planning, joint planning with cities in Thurston County, and shoreline management.

• Work‑life balance: commitment to staff reward in public service while supporting personal routines.
• Plan for your future: benefits such as a retirement plan, pre‑tax savings accounts, comprehensive health, dental, and vision care for you and your family.
• Paid leave: full‑time regular employees earn paid vacation and holidays.
• Robust training:
  County‑paid training to advance careers, learn new skills, and stay on top of industry trends.
• Flexible work schedules: options for alternative, compressed, or remote work.
• Deferred compensation: three voluntary deferred compensation plans for additional retirement savings.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) for out‑of‑pocket health and daycare expenses.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for qualifying full‑time public service employees.

Thurston County sits between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched between mountains and ocean, the area offers year‑round outdoor activities—boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The state capitol city of Olympia hosts restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, and cultural events. Discover life in Thurston County at .

We understand that potential…