Planner, Senior

Lane County Government; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

Lane County is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to lead complex land use projects and provide expert interpretation of regulations. This role works at the interface of policy, development, and public service, reviewing applications and presenting recommendations to decision-makers.

The ideal candidate will balance competing interests, communicate with diverse stakeholders, and help shape land use outcomes for Lane County and its communities.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in regional or urban planning or a related field.
• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in city, county or regional planning, including one year of lead responsibility.
• Knowledge and experience working with Oregon Land Conservation and Development Goals & Rules is preferred.
• Knowledge and Experience processing Comprehensive Plan Amendments is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that will demonstrate the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and approving land use applications, determining regulatory compliance.
• Preparing staff reports and findings, presenting recommendations to decision-makers.
• Representing the County before advisory committees, public hearings, and community groups.
• Collaborating with other agencies and stakeholders to balance interests and ensure legally defensible planning outcomes.
• Contributing to complex land use projects and applying planning regulations to real-world needs.

Education

Bachelor's degree in regional or urban planning or related field

Job description

About This Position

Lane County is seeking an experienced planning professional to join our team as a Senior Planner. This position serves as a lead resource on complex land use planning projects and plays a key role in shaping the future of our rural communities. The Senior Planner manages multiple high-profile planning initiatives, conducts advanced research and analysis, prepares findings and recommendations, and provides expert interpretation of land use regulations.

This position works at the intersection of policy, development, and public service, applying the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan, Land Code, and Oregon's statewide land use planning requirements to real-world projects and community needs. Responsibilities include reviewing and approving land use applications, determining regulatory compliance, preparing staff reports and findings, presenting recommendations to decision-makers, and representing the County before advisory committees, public hearings, and community groups.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem-solver who can navigate complex regulations, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and balance competing interests while advancing thoughtful, legally defensible planning outcomes.

If you are passionate about community planning, enjoy solving complex land use challenges, and want to help shape the future of Lane County, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the communities, natural resources, and landscapes that make Lane County unique.

About This Division

The Lane County Planning Program is responsible for the administration of land use codes, including zoning and land division regulations. Planning staff are also responsible for the maintenance of the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan (RCP) and the formulation and amendment of land use regulations to implement the RCP. In addition to these responsibilities, staff complete projects at the direction of the Board of Commissioners and also coordinate regional planning efforts with local, State, and Federal agencies and organizations. Planning Program staff strive to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations of Lane County residents by planning for places that provide a spectrum of economic, environmental and social benefits through a balanced land use management approach that is consistent with Oregon's Statewide Planning System.

Lane County operates one of the premier land use programs in the state. Within Lane County there are 35 rural communities, 12 cities, a large regional metropolitan planning area, and millions of acres of farm and forest-zoned lands. Lane County stretches from the Coast to the Cascades and it is the only jurisdiction in the State of Oregon where all 19 Statewide Planning Goals are implemented. Strong development pressures and organized anti-development interests make Lane County an exciting and dynamic place to practice planning.

Schedule

Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm

*This is an AFSCME represented position*

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in regional or urban planning or a related field.


• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in city, county or regional planning, including one year of lead responsibility.


• Knowledge and experience working with Oregon Land Conservation and Development Goals & Rules is preferred.


• Knowledge and Experience processing Comprehensive Plan Amendments is preferred.


• An equivalent combination of experience and training that will demonstrate the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

Strategic Plan

In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.

The 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage becomes effective the first of the month following your first 30-days as an eligible employee.


• Medical/Rx/Vision - Lane County Offers Medical, Prescription And Vision Exam Coverage For You And Your Eligible Dependents. The Plan Options And Costs Per Month For 2026 Are Outlined Below.


• If you enroll in the HDHP the County will contribute to your HSA: For eligible members of unions LCPOA, 626, Admin Pro, and AFSCME Physicians $1,700 for individual coverage and $3,400 for family coverage.


• For eligible members of unions AFSCME General, AFSCME Nurses, FOPPO, PAA, and non-represented employees $1,600 for individual coverage and $3,200 for family coverage. Those who complete the requirements to receive the Live Well Credit by November 30, 2026, will receive an additional contribution of $400 individual or $800 family, funded in 2027.


• All eligible employees who complete a Health History Risk Assessment (HHRA), Biometric Screening, and Comprehensive Health Review (CHR) at the Live Well Center receive a $20 per month credit.


• Wellness Clinic – The Live Well Center is for Lane County benefits-eligible employees, spouses and dependents (ages 2 and up) who are enrolled in the Lane County health plan. Marathon Health manages the Live Well Center and their clinical team provides confidential, affordable care for your acute and preventive healthcare needs. The Live Well Center also provides health coaching, chronic disease counseling, comprehensive primary care services, and much more.


• Dental – Lane County provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Lane County provides this counseling and concierge service to employees and members of their immediate households.


• Fitness Center Membership – Lane County provides employees with a free membership to a local fitness center.


• Retirement – Lane County pays for and enrolls employees in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) and the Individual Account Program (IAP) following six full months of employment.


• Disability – Lane County provides Long-Term Disability coverage. Lane County complies with all State and Federal disability laws for employee, family, parental and pregnancy leaves regulations.


• Time Management – Lane County provides employees with a generous bank of hours to be used for sick, vacation, family emergencies and personal days.


• Holidays – Lane County provides 10 paid holidays per year: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, Labor Day, Presidents' Day, Veterans' Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Juneteenth, Christmas Day.


• Life Insurance – Lane County pays for employee group term life insurance.


• County-paid Training & Development – On-site Classes: Lane County offers a variety of on-site classes to develop employees' soft and technical skills.


• Online Training – Lane County offers a variety of online classes through LEAP to help employees continually improve their skills.


• Conferences & Seminars – Lane County will consider reimbursement for employees to attend professional conferences, dependent upon budget, to encourage continuous learning and professional development.


• Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings – Employees may enroll in a deferred compensation program 457(b) to save for retirement.


• Vision – Eligible employees may purchase supplemental vision insurance.


• Supplemental Life Insurance – Employees may purchase supplemental life insurance for themselves and their dependents/spouse.


• Aflac – Optional employee-paid voluntary group coverage is available through Aflac.


• Group Discounts – Group discounts may include homeowners and auto insurance, pet health insurance, credit union membership.

Paid medical, dental and vision coverage for dependents is determined by labor agreement or APM, as applicable. Physicians should contact their supervisor for health plan options and rates. Please note that Temporary and Extra Help positions are not typically eligible for benefits. This is only brief summary of benefits available to eligible Lane County employees. In all cases, plan documents govern.

For additional information about these extraordinary benefits contact the Benefit Resource Center at 1-866-468-7272, or Lane County HR at [phone].

IMPORTANT: Please ensure you have included all RELEVANT education, employment and experience in your application. To ensure compliance with Oregon Equal Pay laws, Human Resources will conduct a wage analysis based on the information you have provided in your application to determine the appropriate starting wage if you are selected.