Job Description

The salary for this position is $6,034 - $7,937 monthly.

The Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department is seeking a highly motivated Streamflow Restoration Planner to join our Natural Resources Program. Under the guidance of a Natural Resources Program Manager, the Streamflow Restoration Planner is responsible for leading and coordinating county-wide water resource policy issues, with a focus on water resource management and streamflow restoration planning.

The Streamflow Restoration Planner will use their skills to provide journey level expertise and guidance on water resource policy and planning issues. The focus for this position will be on a number of planning projects related to water resource management, streamflow restoration, natural resources policy issues, including on forestry and agriculture, climate resiliency, endangered/threatened species recovery, and salmon recovery.

Being a great planning and policy analyst, communicatorand experience with watershed planning is key for this position. You will be working with elected officials, community members, and other organizations on your projects.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct journey level research at the direction of a Senior Planner, Natural Resources Program Manager, or Community Planning Manager and provide detailed staff reports and recommendations.
• Ability to build coalitions and strengthen partnerships.
• Manage grants and contracts related to water resource management and streamflow restoration projects.
• Participate in regional watershed management planning.
• Advise elected and appointed officials, including the Planning Commission, Water Resource Advisory Board, on planning and policy issues and projects.
• Prepare and present reports and information to advisory groups, committees, community groups, and private organizations.
• Hold or assist with open houses, workshops and stakeholder groups.
• Respond to public inquiries with information on the planning process and policy issues.
• Work collaboratively across disciplines and departments to problem-solve around water resource planning issues.
• Prepare and/or review proposed amendments to county codes or long-range plans.

This is a great position for an experienced Associate Planner, or someone early in their career with demonstrated ability to take on new challenges and would like to take the next step in their career.

To view the full job classification, click here: Associate Planner

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Working Environment – Typically a quiet office setting, sitting or standing at a desk. Up to 15% of duties performed outdoors conducting site visits and investigations. Fieldwork may involve inclement weather, rough terrain, wetlands, boating and proximity to heavy equipment.
• Schedule – Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM or similar. Work demands may require work during extended hours, including attending early morning meetings, evening meetings, and events on weekends and/or holidays.
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County Staff, and with members of the public.

WHO WE ARE:

The Streamflow Restoration Planner will be joining an experienced, committed, and fast-paced team working on impactful conservation projects across four watersheds. As a part of our Community Planning & Economic Development team, you will have the opportunity to plan for Thurston County's future and collaboratively solve complex community issues. The Community Planning team works with other county team members, landowners, community groups, the cities in Thurston County, state and federal agencies, and more.

The experts of Community Planning & Economic Development are on the leading edge of major issues affecting the residents of Thurston County including:

• Habitat Conservation
• Comprehensive Planning
• Stormwater Management
• Water and Climate Data Monitoring
• Rural Water Availability Planning
• Agriculture, Forestry, and Open Space Planning
• Joint Planning with the Cities in Thurston County
• Shoreline Management

Mission Statement: We develop and implement bold plans to balance growth with community interests and safety, natural systems restoration, and positive intergenerational outcomes. We engage our employees and the communities we serve with new ways to meaningfully involve historically underrepresented populations.

Why CPED is a great department: The team members of Community Planning & Economic Development make it a wonderful place to work and effect change. CPED is a department of highly motivated professionals working for the people of Thurston County and planning for its future. CPED works to conserve natural resources, plan for resilient communities, ensure buildings are safe and energy-efficient and plan for future growth.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Biology, Environmental Planning, or a closely related field depending upon area of assignment. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in professional level planning in current, long range, and/or environmental planning.
• Ability to utilize the personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, information retrieval and tracking.
• Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Master’s degree in planning, biological sciences, hydrology, public administration, ecology, environmental planning, or a related field.
• Knowledge of water resource management, streamflow restoration planning, or a related field.
• Knowledge of geospatial data analysis and interpreting environmental data.
• Ability to prepare budgets, familiarity with State and Federal funding opportunities to apply for grants and administer consultant contracts.
• Ability to quickly assess problems and act independently to positively resolve conflicts and coordinate efforts constructively and collaboratively to the satisfaction of elected officials, tribal partners, regulators, staff, local jurisdictions, consultants, contractors, and the community.
• Knowledge of conservation financing, land acquisition, and site management planning related to natural resource conservation programs.
• Experience in project management and giving presentations.
• Ability to conduct effective research and evaluate complex data to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
• Ability to develop and manage long-range conservation plans, short-range operational programs, and day-to-day property management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial planning policies or regulations.
• Ability to collaborate with other staff, property owners, developers, contractors, public officials, the general public, and representatives of other agencies.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECRUITMENT?

The contact person for this recruitment is Alana Bradshaw at (360) 480-0237 or by email at alana.bradshaw@co.thurston.wa.us

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Professional Portfolio. Portfolio should include the following:
  • An example from your work experience demonstrating successful project implementation.
  • An example from your work experience highlighting public/community engagement success; and
  • A summary of the professional or academic accomplishment you are most proud of.
  • Photographs and other graphics to communicate information.
• List of three professional references

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection