Land Use Planner

Job Summary
AKS Engineering & Forestry has an immediate opening for a Land Use Planner in our Kennewick, Washington office. You will work alongside a team of experienced land use planners and other professionals providing support for a wide variety of site development and infrastructure improvement projects. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and love the challenges that comes with this type of consulting work, then this is an outstanding opportunity to work side-by-side with a well-respected and talented multi-disciplinary team of professionals in a dynamic organization.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, geography, or related field or equivalent work experience is required.
• A minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience performing land use planning/land development related activities.
• Experience interpreting and applying City and County Comprehensive Plans and Development Codes.
• Knowledge of Oregon’s Statewide Planning System.
• Work independently while providing support to the Senior Land Use Planner(s) with minimal supervision while collaborating with other multidisciplinary team members.
• Ability to manage multiple and conflicting deadlines; and prioritize workload.
• Excellent written communication skills including letter and report writing, preferably land use permit applications.
• Excellent speaking skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, permitting agency staff, and other project team members.
• Displays critical thinking abilities and is a creative and realistic solution provider.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and scheduling software (Microsoft Office Suite, Project, Adobe, etc.).
• Proficiency in use of AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Photoshop, and GIS a plus.

Job Functions and Responsibilities: This full-time position will provide support for site development projects by applying land use policy and regulations and managing the preparation of land use entitlement documents. Working with a Senior Land Use Planner, responsibilities will include:

• Performing timely and accurate property, zoning, and utility research by way of internet/GIS investigation and through telephone/in-person inquiries to ensure compliance with municipal land use regulations.
• Preparing, organizing, coordinating with project team members, submitting required materials (may include land use applications that require plats, rezones, conditional use, and site plan reviews) and coordinating pre-application conferences as necessary.
• Assisting with the preparation and submittal of high quality applications for complex technical land use permits and entitlements covering a diverse range of projects.
• Analyzing, assessing, and breaking down complex issues affecting property, transportation networks, utility infrastructure, etc. to respond to client inquiries, assessing the feasibility of property development, and creating a path forward.
• Effectively and efficiently coordinating with in-house engineering, surveying, and landscape architectural co-workers, permitting agency staff, and other project team members.
• Developing clearly written and detailed scopes of work for proposals.
• Coordinating with clients on project data and scheduling.
• Setting up, organizing, and attending neighborhood meetings.
• Creating, organizing, and maintaining project schedules, defining critical paths, and tracking milestone dates.
• Developing and maintaining effective positive working relationships with co-workers, clients, permitting agency staff, and other project team members.
• Taking personal responsibility for completing quality work within budgets and timelines
• Able to travel out of town, overnight on occasion as necessary.

Company Overview
AKS Engineering & Forestry is a locally owned multi-discipline engineering consulting firm focused on developing infrastructure for private and public clients throughout the Pacific Northwest. Remaining true to our values and diligently maintaining our focus on quality enables our staff to thrive and grow. With six offices and over 28 years in business, AKS is a well-respected and trusted resource to a broad portfolio of clients providing a unique and diverse combination of services.
- Civil Engineering - Land, Aerial, and Hydrographic Surveying
- Land Use Planning - Landscape Architecture
- Forestry/Forest Engineering - Arboriculture
- Natural Resources - Water Resources
- Construction Support Services - GIS
Culture
AKS is recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces in Oregon and Washington. With a reputation built on personal responsibility, straight answers, practical solutions, and client and employee service, AKS has become a highly sought-after place to work. We care deeply about building long-term relationships at all levels of our organization and look for opportunities to share meals together every week, go on teambuilding adventures, make team site visits, and host events that bring our people and clients together.
We are organized around multidisciplinary teams that follow a project from conception through construction. We function as one team, one company, one community, and empower our employees to deliver their best work to evolve, grow, and succeed.
Benefits
AKS proudly offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, immediately vested 401(k) matching, and additional benefits and special perks. Including:

• Opportunities for personal and professional development, mentorship, advancement, and training.
• Collaborative team environment, fun atmosphere, all staff, and team events.
• Security working for an established, reputable, stable, and successful company.
• Regular lunches and staff events to encourage staff to spend unstructured time together.
• Flexible work schedule, vacations, and time off.

Visit our website for more information on the work we do, and all that AKS offers.

AKS Engineering and Forestry does not work with third-party recruiters or agencies. Candidates should be warned that third-party recruiters may misrepresent themselves as working on behalf of AKS. Candidates should only communicate directly with AKS employees.
Third-party recruiters and agencies should not contact AKS Engineering and Forestry employees directly. Any resumes sent from third-party recruiters or agencies to an AKS employee or submitted through the AKS website are considered unsolicited and the property of AKS. AKS will not pay a placement fee unless the recruiter or agency has a signed contract with AKS before submitting a candidate for consideration.