Associate Planner - Current Planning Position (Planner 2)

Salary: $41.82 - $53.15 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00633
Department: Planning and Public Works
Division: PPW Development Services
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
After the required training, the telework schedule can be considered.
Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:

The Planning and Public Works (PPW) Department has an exciting opportunity for someone looking to diversify their planning background. Our Associate Planner will review a variety of land use applications, ranging from shoreline projects to subdivision applications. You will provide guidance to our permitting customers by conveying the requirements of our Development Regulations and remain proactive throughout the application process to completion. The wide exposure to State and local development codes and opportunities you receive will give you the tools you need to solve complex development proposals while maximizing community engagement in the planning process. Come make a positive impact and be an active participant in the growth of Pierce County!

Why It's a Great Department:

Planning and Public Works (PPW) stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW's team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works at

How to be Successful in the Role:

Strong analytical skills, strong judgement, the ability to communicate well using Plain Talk, and excellent customer skills will be key. Ideally, we want a candidate who can think outside the box and strives to understand the nexus with other reviewing divisions and external agencies. Any experience you have with the State Shoreline Management Act or a local Shoreline Master program is a bonus. If you are ready to develop a culture of inclusion in the planning process within PPW, Pierce County Government, and with the citizens of Pierce County, then this is the job for you!

Throughout the training process, you will meet with your supervisor regularly to discuss expectations and set goals for yourself, as well as introduce you to the current policies and procedures, technology/software, and Pierce County Code. Pierce County offers professional development throughout your career to ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have an ideal opportunity to work alongside a team of talented engineers, planners, biologists, and community leaders to problem solve and look for efficiencies and strategies to provide improved public service in Pierce County. As the Planner assigned to a project, you will oversee the reviews being completed by other County staff to ensure effective, overall project review. Your work will directly impact your community, and it offers a great foundation for future positions within the Planning and Public Works Department and Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Review applications for compliance with local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines.
• Perform research, prepare special studies, write reports, and evaluate land use applications.
• Provide assistance, prepare reports and may present information to Pierce County Hearing Examiner, departments, and external entities regarding a wide range of land use applications, planning functions and other related areas.
• Review land use applications for compliance with State and local SEPA requirements and prepare environmental determinations on individual applications.
• Interact with the public on a wide range of regulatory issues.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found

Minimum Qualifications

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two years of relevant planning work
• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in local, county/city, or state planning

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's license, or the ability to obtain the license within 30 days of employment, or otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or visiting .
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at View email address on click.appcast.io and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the positionPierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.


During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.


Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.


Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.


Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.


We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
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After closely reviewing the job announcement, please describe in your best words why you would be a great candidate for this role. If you have any experience with the State Shoreline Management Act, the local Shoreline Master Program, or enforcing conditions of approval or general code enforcement, please include that in your response.
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