Urban Planner

ahbl; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid time off (PTO)

Paid holidays

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Job summary

AHBL is seeking an Urban Planner in Seattle to contribute to current and long‑range planning for public and private clients across Washington and the west coast. You will craft comprehensive plans, engage with city and state officials, and support environments from concept to entitlements.

Expect collaboration in multidisciplinary teams and exposure to SEPA/NEPA processes. You will work on plan development, code interpretations, and on‑call projects, requiring strong organization, communication,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, or equivalent field.
• 3–5 years of professional planning experience.
• Knowledge of planning philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques.
• Understanding of land use controls (zoning, subdivision, landscape codes).
• Excellent oral, written, and graphic communication skills and public engagement interest.

Responsibilities

• Prepare comprehensive plans, subarea plans and development regulations.
• Prepare parks, recreation, and open space plans and environmental review documents (SEPA/NEPA).
• Conduct research, write, create graphics and maps, and engage the public.
• Collaborate in multi‑disciplinary teams to design and entitle projects and handle on‑call contracts.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Public engagement

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning/landscape architecture or equivalent

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Step into a role where your talent drives real-world impact. At AHBL, we’re looking for professionals who thrive in a collaborative environment and see every project as an adventure. If you enjoy working closely with clients and cross-functional teams to bring projects from concept to construction, we want to meet you!

At AHBL, we don’t just shape cities—we help to build vibrant communities where the work is rewarding. Our teams enjoy coming to work and flourish through innovation and creativity.

Since 1969, our multi-discipline firm has delivered innovative solutions in engineering, planning, landscape architecture, and land surveying. Our team is passionate about creative problem-solving, and we take pride in the meaningful, diverse projects we deliver.

What you will do

We are looking for an Urban Planner to help us make a real impact in our Seattle office. If you enjoy working with a team that values creativity, celebrates successes, and supports each other through challenges, then AHBL is the place for you!

In this role you will work on a variety of current and long-range planning projects for public and private sector clients throughout Washington and the west coast. You will be performing professional planning services in a team environment and will enjoy frequent contact with AHBL’s clients, including contacts with the city, county, and state officials and staff, citizens’ groups, and other professionals. Your work will include the preparation of comprehensive plans, subarea plans and development regulations. You will also prepare parks, recreation, and open space plans, as well as environmental review documents under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). This will involve research, writing, preparing graphics and maps, and public engagement. Your work will include participating in multi-disciplined teams to help design and entitle projects as well as work under our on-call consulting contracts.

Whatwe are looking for

• A high level of organization and communication to help us drive projects to completion.
• Diligent attention to detail because the details are what make a project successful.
• A desire to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
• Motivation to meet our clients’ deadlines and rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.

Here’s our list of must-haves

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, or an equivalent field
• 3-5 years of professional planning experience
• Knowledge of philosophies, principles, practices, and techniques of planning
• Understanding of land use controls (e.g., zoning, subdivision, landscape codes)
• Excellent oral, written, and graphic communication skills and an interest in public engagement

Highly desirable:

• Geographic Information System (GIS) skills
• Urban design skills

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Actual pay will be based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

• Planner III - $80,200.00 - $99,500.00
• Planner IV - $85,680.00 - $109,500.00
• Annual discretionary performance-based bonus
• 100% paid employee medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life insurance and long-term disability protection. Subsidized dependent coverage
• Option of PPO health plan or HDHP with Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Benefits. PTO is accrued at 16.5 days (132 hours) annually for new hires.
• 8 company-paid holidays each calendar year
• Discretionary company-matched 401(k) plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional voluntary benefits include voluntary hospital indemnity coverage, voluntary accident insurance, and voluntary critical illness insurance

WHY AHBL?

• We offer a fun and friendly atmosphere with team outings and ensure that the work is always enjoyable.
• We encourage out of the box thinking and innovative approaches to every project.
• Our teams celebrate successes and support each other through challenges.
• Our projects are primarily in the Pacific Northwest, so our work shapes the communities where we live and work.
• We offer continuous learning and professional development to advance your career.

AHBL is committed to the principles of equal opportunity by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We provide equal opportunity to all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

AHBL will also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that covered individuals, including protected veterans and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.

AHBL will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us.