ASSOCIATE PLANNER -- ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is seeking a highly motivated communications and outreach professional to join our team as an Associate Planner. Under general supervision of the Planning Manager, this position will be responsible for developing and coordinating community engagement to support a variety of projects related to transportation, land use, and environmental planning. This position will also assist with development of policies and procedures to support the agency's goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

TRPC believes in fostering a supportive work environment for staff, which values diverse points of view, inclusion, belonging, and autonomy. We are dedicated in developing a diverse workforce who value their work and are committed to TRPC's mission and core values. For more information visit www.trpc.org{rel="nofollow"} or phone (360) 956-7575. This position will remain open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by May 6, 2024. Please list the position title Associate Planner -- Engagement Specialist in your application materials.

ABOUT TRPC

TRPC is a Regional Transportation Planning Organization and Metropolitan Planning Organization governed by a 23-member intergovernmental board. Located in Olympia, Washington, TRPC is approximately 60 miles south of Seattle and 120 miles north of Portland, Oregon. Residents of the region enjoy a high quality of life and reasonable cost of living amid beautiful natural surroundings.  With a current county-wide population of around 300,000, we are one of the fastest growing regions in Washington, making our area an exciting place for regional planning.

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ABOUT THE POSITION

The successful candidate will work within our team structure to craft and coordinate compelling engagement opportunities that promote and support a wide variety of projects related to regional planning. We are looking for a skilled communicator who is passionate about inclusive public participation and can translate complex data and information into messages and multimedia content that resonate with diverse community members, partners, and public officials.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Work with project leads to develop and implement public participation and communication plans.
• Work with technical subject matter experts and communication staff to create outreach materials appropriate for print and online.
• Work with our management team to identify agency needs for addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals, and develop guidance for effectively incorporating equity into planning projects.
• Build relationships with key community contacts, and identify avenues for community perspectives to inform agency work and priorities.
• Assist staff in developing effective messaging (for example, for surveys and presentations).
• Track and advise staff on regulations, best practices, and emerging trends in public engagement, including related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

A successful candidate could expect to:

• Work under minimal supervision
• Serve as a working project manager and/or working technical specialist
• Work within a team environment
• Juggle multiple tasks and competing deadlines
• Communicate and interact with staff at public, private, and non-profit organizations and the public
• Build trusting relationships with community representatives
• Occasionally work evenings or weekends to staff public engagement events

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IDEAL CANDIDATE

We encourage potential applicants to apply eve