Senior Planner – Thurston County

The salary range for this position is: $6,967 – $9,164 monthly.

Community Planning & Economic Development is a fast-paced work environment dedicated to accountability, consistency, and transparency.

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 Planneris 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.

Essential functions may include but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.

To view the full job classification, click here: Senior Planner job classification

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment – Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington. Primarily sitting or standing at a desk. Working on a computer for a majority of the day. 
• Schedule -Monday to Friday 8:00 AM -5:00 PM. 
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings and conduct site inspections. 
• Customer Interactions – Daily interactions with customers and Thurston County staff, primarily via email, phone, video call, and in-person. 

Who We Are:

The Community Development Division is organized into three primary functional groups: Current Planning, Long-Range Land Use Planning, and Building Plan Review and Inspections. The Current Planning group serves as the front line for the County’s permitting services, managing land use applications and ensuring projects comply with local and state regulations. The Long-Range Land Use Planning group focuses on comprehensive planning, policy development, and interjurisdictional coordination to guide future growth and development. The Building Plan Review and Inspections group oversees building permit review, construction inspections, and code compliance to ensure safe and compliant development.

Together, the division plays a critical role in supporting the County’s development and long-term planning goals. The team includes professionals with expertise in land use planning, environmental resources, building construction, public engagement, and code compliance. This diverse knowledge base enables the division to guide applicants through complex processes while advancing the County’s vision for sustainable and coordinated growth.

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 Plansfor 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. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, public administration or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 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.

Desired Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to all functional areas, such as land use, transportation, environmental impacts, or other related areas.
• Advanced knowledge of a functional area of planning and its relationship to the comprehensive planning process.
• Ability to prepare and administer work programs, budgets, grant requirements, and progress reviews.
• Technical expertise in a functional area of the comprehensive planning process and the associated methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to prepare and administer plans based on survey and analysis of data, citizen participation, and agency consultation.
• Ability to organize and oversee work programs, including monitoring budgets, work schedules, grant requirements, and progress reviews.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or regulations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with agency members, planning staff, and the community.
• Skill in written and graphic communication.

Questions about this Recruitment:

Please contact Alana Bradshaw, Administrative Services Manager at alana.bradshaw@co.thurston.wa.us or by phone at (360) 480-0237.

This position is:

• Non-represented
• Eligible for benefits
• May be eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) depending on salary placement

Items required for consideration: 

• Online Application
• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Professional writing sample, to include but not be limited to a staff report, presentation, code audit, or planning technical memo
• Three professional references

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

Thurston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.