Assistant Planner

Puget Sound Regional Council; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Washington State Retirement (PERS)

Job summary

Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) seeks an Assistant Planner in Seattle to support the Transportation Planning Division with data collection, research, and coordination. Responsibilities include preparing meeting materials, assisting with project tracking, and communicating with regional partners.

The ideal candidate has experience in transportation planning, data analysis, and community engagement, plus familiarity with ArcGIS/Excel and regional planning data.

Qualifications

• Experience in transportation planning, analyzing data, conducting research and community engagement.
• Proficiency with common software packages and tools used to analyze and transform planning-related data, such as ArcGIS and/or Excel.
• Knowledge of commonly used demographic, land use, and transportation-related data, such as Census, population, local comprehensive plans, transit plans, surveys, and others.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively coordinate between multiple deadlines and diverse work tasks with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of planning and policy issues related to transportation, growth management, economic development, and local and regional governance is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collect, process, organize, and manage a wide variety of planning-related data.
• Perform research, synthesize and summarize findings, and make recommendations to help develop major planning programs, including the development and implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan and Coordinated Mobility Plan.
• Provide assistance with other transportation projects, as assigned, to potentially include project selection and tracking processes.
• Assist with coordination across PSRC divisions and communicate with regional partners in support of the Transportation Planning Division work program.
• Provide support for transportation committee and board meetings by preparing meeting materials and assisting with presentations. Ensure high-quality work and maintain proper documentation for planning products.

Skills

Transportation planning

Data analysis

Community engagement

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Excel

Job description

Assistant Planner

Closes: The position is open until 9:00am PST Friday, November 13, 2026.

Status: Regular Full-time Position, 40 hours per week; nonexempt FLSA status.

Salary: The starting salary range is $83,430 - $87,000 annually, DOE, with full benefits including participation in Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). The full salary range is $83,430 - $121,540 annually.

Location: Puget Sound Regional Council; Downtown Seattle, Washington; The position may be eligible for hybrid work (within the region).

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is the regional transportation, growth management and economic development planning agency serving Seattle and the central Puget Sound. The thriving region is home to over 4 million people. PSRC serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Organization under federal and state laws. The agency brings together the region’s diverse counties, cities and towns, native tribes, ports, the state of Washington and civic interests to understand the challenges facing our region’s future and make plans for the region to continue to succeed. Visit www.psrc.org to find out more. PSRC is an equal opportunity employer.

The strength of our region is rooted in our diversity. At PSRC, we’re striving to create a region where all people have access to opportunities that improve their quality of life. In order for us to accomplish this, our workforce must reflect the communities we serve. We’re committed to creating an agency where all of our employees can thrive. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

THE POSITION:

PSRC is seeking an Assistant Planner to join the Transportation Planning Division to perform a variety of technical planning activities under general supervision. The work of the Transportation Planning Division spans a variety of planning topics including transit, active transportation, safety, technology and others, as well as community engagement and work related to the funding and tracking of transportation projects. This position will support the work of the Division through research, preparation of meeting materials and assistance with other planning staff on a variety of topics. The work will include, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

• Collect, process, organize, and manage a wide variety of planning-related data.
• Perform research, synthesize and summarize findings, and make recommendations to help develop major planning programs, including the development and implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan and Coordinated Mobility Plan.
• Provide assistance with other transportation projects, as assigned, to potentially include project selection and tracking processes.
• Assist with coordination across PSRC divisions and communicate with regional partners in support of the Transportation Planning Division work program.
• Provide support for transportation committee and board meetings by preparing meeting materials and assisting with presentations. Ensure high-quality work and maintain proper documentation for planning products.

THE CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in transportation planning, analyzing data, conducting research and community engagement.
• Demonstrated proficiency with common software packages and tools used to analyze and transform planning-related data, such as ArcGIS and/or Excel.
• Knowledge of commonly used demographic, land use, and transportation-related data, such as Census, population, local comprehensive plans, transit plans, surveys, and others.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively coordinate between multiple deadlines and diverse work tasks with limited supervision.
• Excellent organization and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, as well as aptitude to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of planning and policy issues related to transportation, growth management, economic development, and local and regional governance is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Typical ways in which incumbents acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, or related field.
• At least one year experience in transportation planning and/or related field.
• Any combination of lived and educational experience in a related field that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO POSITION:

• PSRC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran, or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].
• This recruitment is for a newly created role and may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
• PSRC office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm with work hours determined upon hired.