Assistant Planner

County of Orange; Orange (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange is seeking an Assistant Planner to perform routine professional land use planning assignments in Current Planning. The role acts as a project planner with responsibilities for minor permit review and processing assignments.

You will provide information to the public and County staff about procedures and regulations, review ministerial and discretionary applications, and prepare staff reports with recommendations for Director-level approval.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of State laws, County ordinances, and elements of planning and zoning related to governing land use.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques pertaining to reviewing plans related to land use applications, permits, and ministerial permits.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of regional, county, and city planning principles and techniques of the planning profession.
• Knowledge of permit tracking programs.

Responsibilities

• Providing information to members of the public, County employees from other divisions or departments, and representatives of outside agencies regarding County procedures and regulations, discretionary and ministerial land use applications, the general plan, and the zoning code ordinance.
• Accepting, reviewing, and processing ministerial & discretionary applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with department policies and procedures, and land use regulations.
• Preparation of staff reports and providing recommendations for Director-level approval.

Skills

Land use planning

Permitting review

Planning & zoning

Permit tracking

Tools

Permit tracking programs

Job description

Posting number: 2108GE-1026-080 (O)

Department: OC Public Works

Job classification: ASSISTANT PLANNER

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development, Public Works

Summary

ASSISTANT PLANNER

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and futureAssistant Planner positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. (PT)

OC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

OC Development Services is a service area within OC Public Works (OCPW) that oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County’s unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations – all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

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here for more information on OC Development Services.

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here for more information on OCPW.

Click here for more information on the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OC Development Services is seeking an Assistant Planner to perform a range of routine professional land use planning assignments in Current Planning and acts as a project planner with responsibilities for less complex planning projects involving minor permit review and processing assignments.

• Providing information to members of the public, County employees from other divisions or departments, and representatives of outside agencies regarding County procedures and regulations, discretionary and ministerial land use applications, the general plan, and the zoning code ordinance
• Accepting, reviewing, and processing ministerial & discretionary applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with department policies and procedures, and land use regulations
• Preparation of staff reports and providing recommendations for Director-level approval

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge and abilities in the core competencies

Technical knowledge | Skills

• Knowledge of State laws, County ordinances, and elements of planning and zoning related to governing land use
• Knowledge of methods and techniques pertaining to reviewing plans related to land use applications, permits, and ministerial permits
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of regional, county, and city planning principles and techniques of the planning profession
• Knowledge of permit tracking programs

Communication | Oral & Written

• Ability to present information in a clear, logical, and concise manner both orally and in writing
• Communicate effectively in writing when documenting actions, maintaining records, and preparing reports as required
• Handle conflict in a professional and diplomatic manner
• Successfully interact with various governmental organizations and review boards

Customer Service

• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Effectively maintain collaborative and positive working relationships

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has