TOWN PLANNER

Town Planner 

Administers the implementation of zoning, subdivision, shoreline management, historic preservation, and other land use ordinances; provides public information, work plans, and budgets; and ensures implementation of the Steilacoom Comprehensive Plan. 

Wages/Hours:        $44.36 - $51.89 / Hour (2026)

                                 40 Hrs. / Wk.

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Closing Date:          Open Until Filled / First Review April 30, 2026 (Posted: 3/26/26)

Basic Purpose:
Administers the implementation of zoning, subdivision, shoreline management, historic preservation, and other
land use ordinances; provides public information, work plans, and budgets; ensures implementation of the
Steilacoom Comprehensive Plan.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
These duties include but are not limited to the following:
• Accurately and consistently enforces and interprets Town Ordinances as they pertain to short and longterm planning, building, zoning, SEPA, historic preservation, and shoreline projects.
• Maintains/Updates the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Supervises/directs staff, and consultants.
• Researches, recommends, and updates revisions to codes/policies as they relate to growth management
(incl. the WA State Growth Mgmt. Act-GMA), subdivision, building code, historic preservation, the
comprehensive plan, and the shoreline plan.
• Provides accurate and easy to understand public information on land use, development, design,
environmental, and other planning matters. Promotes positive public relations.
• Develops/maintains procedures and updates data, layers, maps, and tools using geographic information
systems (GIS) technology in support of planning functions.
• Assists in the development/implementation of planning goals/objectives, work plans, departmental
procedures, workflow, and budgets.
• Serves as staff person to the Planning Commission. Represents the Town at public meetings, hearings, and
workshops as assigned. Prepares written reports for meetings and makes presentations in support of
planning functions.
• Keeps informed of grant opportunities and develops grant applications as necessary. Administers grantfunded programs and projects ensuring compliance with grant agreements and regulatory requirements.
• Works within assigned projects.
The duties listed above are illustrations of the types of work that may be performed in the position. Omission of
specific statements of duties does not provide an exclusion if the work performed is similar, related, or a logical
assignment to the position. The job description may be subject to change by the employer as the needs of the
employer and/or requirements of the job change.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field.
• Progressively responsible professional planning experience may be substituted for education.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Two (2) years of urban planning/project experience.
• Public speaking skills.
• Grant writing experience.
• SEPA, Shoreline Management and Growth Management Act knowledge/experience.
• GIS experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Interprets principles/practices of urban planning, urban design, land use concepts, and possesses the
ability to apply those concepts to Town programs and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledgeable in the concepts of historic preservation/architecture and understands the requirements of
certified local governments.
• Writes/prepares technical information and explains same to others.
• Accurately/uniformly interprets codes, ordinances, goals, policies, and plans.
• Attends and/or facilitate meetings as required.
• Uses verbal/written skills to communicate in a tactful, diplomatic, and professional manner.
• Prioritizes work, works in an intense project environment, and meets schedules.
• Supervises/evaluates personnel and projects as assigned.
• Knowledge of the legislative and quasi-judicial public process/procedures affecting the Planning
Commission, Hearing Examiner, and Town Council.
• Ability to use geographic information systems (GIS) technology (Esri/Arc GIS) in support of planning
functions and departmental processes.

Working Conditions
Work Environment:
Daily work in office and outdoors in all types of weather. Driving/Inspection of various sites. Work may involve
occasional attendance at evening meetings.

Physical Requirements:
The incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain as the worksite occasionally involves outdoor locations. The position requires walking, standing, sitting, and the ability to occasionally lift/move up to 30 lbs. The incumbent must have the ability to effectively communicate with groups/individuals in person, via phone, and in writing. 

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