Junior Planner I: Land Use & Growth Policy

Yakima County, Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima County Public Services, Planning Division, seeks a Planner I to provide experienced planning expertise on routine to moderately complex projects. The role supports public outreach, plan reviews, and regulatory updates within the division’s natural resource, land use, and long-range growth programs.

Responsibilities include policy interpretation, coordination with agencies, and preparing written analyses for management review.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 2-year cert in a related field and 2 years of planning-related work experience.
• Or an equivalent education/experience combination enabling planning duties.
• US Driver’s License required at appointment.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree and Spanish language ability.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert planning guidance on routine to moderately complex development projects.
• Offer technical assistance to the public and coordinate with other agencies.
• Draft analyses, notices, SEPA and project reviews for division management.
• Develop public education and outreach for land use and growth planning.

Skills

Public speaking

Policy analysis

Data interpretation

Report writing

Problem solving

Customer service

Education

Associate degree or 2-year cert in related field

High School Diploma/GED + 4 years experience

Tools

GIS

Job description

Yakima County Public Services, Planning Division, seeks a Planner I to provide experienced planning expertise on routine to moderately complex projects. The role supports public outreach, plan reviews, and regulatory updates within the division’s natural resource, land use, and long-range growth programs.

Responsibilities include policy interpretation, coordination with agencies, and preparing written analyses for management review.