Land Use Planner

Are you interested in all aspects of planning? Are you creative and inquisitive? Are you excited about helping communities plan for their long term future and facilitating public participation in planning?

Otak, Inc., an award-winning multidisciplinary firm, is hiring a Planner to support projects in the Puget Sound region and beyond. You will work in a highly collaborative team environment on a variety of long range and current planning and Land Use permitting projects for public and private sector clients. Come join our growing Planning & Landscape Architecture practice where sustainable and practical plans and designs help ensure viability and livability for years to come!

This position will be based in our Redmond, WA office.

If you are out of the area and interested in relocating to the beautiful Pacific NW for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided!

What you’ll do:

• Support a variety of planning, analytical, and research tasks involving coordination with other planners, urban designers, architects, landscape architects, scientists, engineers, subconsultants and clients on a wide range of project types.
• Provide to the development of long-range plans for local communities including comprehensive plans, subarea plans, corridor plans, or special district plans.
• Coordinate and interact with clients, members of the public, and key project interests and develop effective and engaging public and stakeholder involvement plans.
• Interest and experience in writing and preparing plans, studies, staff reports, environmental analysis documents, Land Use code/design guidelines, and other publications.
• Process entitlement documents including planning/zoning code analysis, performing technical and/or environmental review on behalf of clients, preparing application materials, and conducting feasibility-level analysis of code requirements.
• Mapping using GIS, geographic layers analysis, analytical charts and tables, info graphics, and other types of graphic support to a wide variety of interdisciplinary projects.

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in urban planning, community development, and/or associated discipline.
• 3 to 8 years working in the field of Land Use planning with an emphasis on experience working on projects for public agencies.
• Knowledge of state, region, county, and city planning provisions and policy guidance, comprehensive plans, zoning codes, development standards, and the implications on design, and in particular, experience with and knowledge of Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and Department of Commerce guidance, as well as State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Shorelines Management Act provisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a commitment to producing technically-sound documents.
• Mapping skills using GIS and GIS Online, geographic layers analysis, analytical charts and tables, StoryMaps, info graphics, and other types of graphic support preferred.
• Experience working with the Adobe Creative Suite programs, Sketch-Up, and other graphic programs desired, including experience creating planning documents and engagement materials in In Design and expertise creating graphic materials such as easy-to-read and understand maps, charts, infographics, and other data visualizations.
• Experience in multi-modal transportation planning preferred.
• AICP or AICP Candidate preferred (either active certification or intent to apply within six months).

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and work location as well as market and business considerations.
Salary Range: $76,000-$113,000 per year

Benefits

At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match that is 100% vested immediately; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.

Why work at Otak? Watch this short video: Our Why

We’re not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren’t just joining a firm — you’re joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don’t just believe in cultivating our own community; we’re also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we’re committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we’re expanding — and we’re dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

Equal Opportunity

Otak is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. The Equal Opportunity policy at Otak, Inc. provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, nation origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, protected veteran status or disability or any other status(es) protected by law. Otak ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and mandatory supplements to EEO (revisions).

At Otak, we recognize that inclusion is a practice, and we are determined to lead our industry by embedding that practice into our work. Cultivating an inclusive workplace environment is ongoing and consistent work, requiring dedication and commitment from every member of the organization. This commitment is reflected in Otak’s promise to significantly increase employee diversity, impact the communities in which we work, and establish ongoing relationships within these communities.

Otak’s Vision for an Inclusive Environment includes the following:

• We embrace diverse identities, and willingly engage across difference
• All employees can experience the workplace safely and show up as their authentic selves
• Fostering unique perspectives and an open exchange of ideas
• Engaging one another with curiosity rather than judgment
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect

If you are a minority, veteran, person with a disability, or a member of the LGBTQA Community, we strongly encourage and welcome you to apply to any open position of interest. If you want to learn more about Otak, this position, or the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, contact our Human Resources Department at GRPHumanResources@otak.com.

• Please note, Otak is not accepting resumes from 3rd party recruitment agencies at this time.