Salary: $70,101.41 – $85,287.07

Learn more about this position and apply today at the City of Olympia’s career page.

Job Description:

The Olympia Community Planning & Development Department seeks a dependable, team-oriented individual to join the Department as an Assistant Planner. This position will perform a variety of professional and technical duties in support both the Department’s current planning/development review functions. Under general supervision, assist in researching, and implementing plans and ordinances; preparing recommendations pertaining to various planning issues; and reviewing land use applications for compliance with state and local regulations.

Series Concept:

Assistant Planner is the entry level professional planning classification in the series which includes: Senior Planner, Associate Planner, Assistant Planner, and Planning Technician.

Positions allocated to the Assistant Planner classification are distinguished from the Associate Planner and Planning Technician classes by the types and complexity of assigned tasks, level of supervision, and level of technical expertise required.

To Apply:

  • Submit a cover letter and resume by attaching them to your electronic application. The cover letter must be no more than two pages long and must include specific examples of how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (listed below) for this position.
  • Open Continuous. Apply before midnight on June 30, 2023, to be considered in the first review of applications.
  • Only electronic applications are accepted.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Black, Indigenous, people of color, non-binary, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Contact Information:

If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Nicole Floyd, Principal Planner, at (360) 570-3768 or via email at nfloyd@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

  • Administer land use regulations and similar codes and requirements.
  • Prepare staff reports and other documents that clearly and accurately convey complex information to the public, hearing examiner, city advisory commissions and city council.
  • Respond to and resolve potentially confrontational situations.
  • Experience producing map products and performing associated data analysis using GIS.
  • Build strong working relationships with other agencies and city staff.
  • Work independently in successfully managing projects.
  • Be technically minded and detail oriented.
  • Thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment.
  • Manage time and prioritize responsibilities to perform the duties of the position with the resources available.
  • Act in a responsible and respectful manner toward all members of the community.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

  1. Responsible for a variety of technical tasks in support of planning efforts including land use, parks, open space, environment, and permitting.
  2. Review applications and site plans for compliance with local and state regulations and plans.
  3. Issue administrative determinations on land use applications and prepare staff reports and recommendations to hearing examiners, boards, commissions, councils, or elected officials.
  4. Complete on-site investigations and reviews as necessary, providing code compliance guidance and code interpretations to public as needed.
  5. Analyze and prepare documents and reports on planning issues, policies, and applications.
  6. Perform technical research, compile and analyze statistical information from surveys, questionnaires, studies, interviews, and published materials.
  7. Provide general planning information to the public by telephone and in-person.
  8. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  1. Knowledge of the principles, practices, regulations, techniques in the field of land use, environmental planning, and transportation planning.
  2. Knowledge of current planning research methods and information gathering techniques.
  3. Knowledge of standard statistical procedures, methods, and principles.
  4. Knowledge of basic principles and practices related to economic development, housing, growth management, and other community preservation areas.
  5. Knowledge of basic cartography and graphic design principles and methods.
  6. Knowledge of basic site planning and architectural design principles.
  7. Knowledge of Federal, state, and local land use laws and regulations.
  8. Skill in managing competing interests under strict timelines.
  9. Skill in using computers and software applications in one or more of the following areas:  graphics presentations, database management, mapping, data analysis/evaluation.
  10. Skill in working with a diverse group of individuals with varying levels of subject area expertise.
  11. Ability to work as a member of a customer and public service-oriented team.
  12. Ability to write clear and concise reports and correspondence.
  13. Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply City government organizational procedures, methods, and policies.
  14. Ability to interpret maps and prepare graphic materials for visual presentations.
  15. Ability to effectively organize and participate in public meetings.
  16. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other customers, jurisdictions, planning staff, other City employees, and the community.
  17. Demonstrated punctual, regular and reliable attendance is required.

Experience/Education:

  1. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Planning or a closely related field required.
  2. Work experience of a similar nature may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.
  3. Education or training in Geographic Information Systems desired.

Special Requirements:

1. A valid Washington State Driver’s License is a condition of continuing employment.

Union: Independents

Exempt: Yes

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Olympia complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Nicole Camus, SR Human Resources Analyst, at 360.753.8213 or ncamus@ci.olympia.wa.us.

For general application or position questions please contact the hiring supervisor or Human Resources at humanresources@ci.olympia.wa.us.