Land Use Planner

Schwabe; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k)/Profit Sharing

Tuition Reimbursement

Transit Subsidy

Paid Holidays

Vacation & Sick Time

Job summary

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt seeks a full-time Land Use Planner in Seattle. The role supports land use applications, coordinates with consultants, and helps advance permitting and approvals while maintaining records. The team emphasizes collaboration and client service in a hybrid work setting.

The candidate should have at least 3 years of land use experience and a relevant Bachelor's degree; AICP is preferred. Schwabe offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years land use experience.
• Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field preferred.
• AICP or other certifications preferred; knowledge of local zoning codes.

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting burden-of-proof applications and review local code provisions.
• Coordinate with consultants (traffic engineers, surveyors, civil engineers).
• Manage land use files and correspondence; draft record comments.
• Review development codes and state/local requirements; analyze feasibility.
• Support completion of permitting and approval processes; maintain records.

Skills

Land use planning

Regulatory research

Project coordination

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field

AICP certification preferred

Tools

GIS

Regulatory databases

Job description

Schwabe is a premier Northwest regional law firm serving the needs of businesses in seven key industry sectors: Technology; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Consumer Products, Manufacturing and Retail; Natural Resources; Real Estate and Construction; Ports and Maritime; and Indian Country and Alaska Native Corporations. We have offices in four states, in the cities of Portland, Bend, Salem, Seattle, Vancouver, Anchorage, and Mountain View. Schwabe has a culture based on collaboration, innovation, and a drive to help our clients achieve success.

Position Overview:

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt is seeking a full time Land Use Planner in our Seattle office. Schwabe has a hybrid work policy allowing employees to work from home Monday and Friday while working in the office Tuesday through Thursday.

The Land Use Planner provides administrative, research, and project support for land use planning and development matters. This position assists with the preparation and management of land use applications, coordinates with consultants and local jurisdictions, conducts regulatory and legislative research, and helps evaluate development opportunities for clients. The role plays a key part in ensuring projects move efficiently through the permitting and approval process while maintaining accurate records and supporting ongoing client matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in drafting burden-of-proof applications for new land use applications, including review of local code provisions and comprehensive plans for relevant applicable criteria and drafting of initial responses to the same.
• Coordinate with outside consultants—including traffic engineers, surveyors, and civil engineers for existing applications and developments.
• Manage land use application files, including local records for active land use files.
• Draft record comment letters to various types of land use actions.
• Review and analyze local government development codes, comprehensive plans, state land use administrative rules, and applicable state statutes.
• Examine the development feasibility of various properties and projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Minimum of at least 3 years of land use experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, or a related field preferred.
• AICP of other relevant certifications preferred.
• Strong knowledge of land use laws, development regulations, permitting processes and applicable state and local requirements.
• Strong time management and organization skills.

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt provides a team-oriented working environment, offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits including medical, dental, life, LTD, 401(k)/profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs, transit subsidy, paid holidays, vacation, and sick time off.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other status protected by law.