Assists in the development of environmental resource plans, programs, policies and regulations, or assists program budget planners.

This is the assistant planner level of the environmental planner series.  Incumbents require minimal supervision while assisting with the development of environmental resource plans, programs and/or projects; OR with the reviewing of permit applications.

Assists local, state, and regional governmental officials in analyzing planning needs and in developing plans and programs;  

Reviews and provides agency comments on resource management plans and programs proposed by other agencies; provides assistance to local governmental units on policy and technical determinations;  

Develops proposed administrative rules for adoption into the Washington Administrative Code;  

Assists in the development of Environmental Impact Statements with department environmental review personnel;  

Assures conformance with standards of technical adequacy in plans developed by other state agencies, by regional and local planning officials, and by consultants;  

Prepares technical reports, planning documents, and public informational materials for other professional planners, government officials, and the public; performs planning research, including legislative analysis; prepares status reports to Legislature;  

Assists in the development and administration of the agency legislative program; represents the agency at hearings or public meetings;  

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of:  planning principles, techniques, current trends, environmental laws, policies and programs concerning all phases of State resource development; governmental administrative structure at local and State levels, financing and coordination requirements; environmental, social and other problems affecting development of local and State resources; methods and objectives of urban and regional planning. 

Ability to:  carry out specific project program activities; interpret and apply agency policy; plan work efficiently, think conceptually, observe and interpret trends, analyze data, identify key relationships, draw logical conclusions, establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials; address groups and write effectively.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Master's degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. 

OR 

Two years of experience as an Environmental Planner Trainee. 

Two years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development will substitute for the Master's degree provided a Bachelor's degree in a field listed above or a natural science has been achieved. 

Note:  Selective certification may be required for candidates possessing the following qualifications.  A Master's degree with major emphasis in business administration, financial management, resource economics, public administration, or closely related field. 

Two years of professional experience in full-time budget analysis and planning will substitute for the Master's degree provided a Bachelor's degree in a field listed in the note above has been achieved.

Equivalent education/experience.

New class: 11-9-79
Revised minimum qualifications: 7-10-87
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics & minimum qualifications: 12-11-92
Revised new class code: (formerly 67400) effective July 1, 2007.
Salary adjustments effective: 2015 - 2019 range 43.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.