Associate Planner

City of Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fullerton's Community and Economic Development Department is seeking an Associate Planner to contribute to zoning, environmental review, and development review. This journey-level role offers on-site work, opportunities to work on diverse projects across neighborhoods, business districts, and public spaces with a collaborative team.

You'll coordinate environmental and community planning efforts, review plans for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, visit sites, prepare

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, or Geography.
• Minimum of one year (two years preferred) of professional planning experience at the Assistant Planner level.
• Knowledge of: Urban and regional planning principles; CEQA & Subdivision Map Act; Zoning codes, land use regulations, and plan review processes.
• Strong analysis and report-writing; Reading/interpreting maps, site plans, and engineering scales; Clear, professional communication with a wide range of people.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating environmental and community planning projects.
• Reviewing residential, commercial, and industrial development plans.
• Visiting sites to ensure projects meet City standards and zoning rules.
• Preparing reports, drafting ordinances, and making recommendations.
• Presenting your work to community groups, committees, and commissions.
• Helping residents, architects, and developers understand our planning process.

Skills

Strong analysis and report-writing

Reading/interpreting maps

Clear, professional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, or Geography

Job description

Description

The Community and Economic Development Department brings together Building & Safety, Planning, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Economic Development to help keep Fullerton safe, vibrant, and growing. Our team works to make sure development in the city is well-planned, safe, and ready for the future. We administer and enforce the City’s Zoning Code, Municipal Code, General Plan, and adopted Building Codes — all while providing essential services like permit issuance, plan reviews, construction inspections, housing programs, and responding to code concerns.

Whether we’re helping a resident with a home project, guiding a business through expansion, or preserving the character of a neighborhood, our goal is the same: to support growth that’s safe, orderly, and respectful of Fullerton’s rich heritage — while creating opportunities for today and for generations to come.

Join the Community and Economic Development Department and help shape the future of Fullerton! Our Planning team is looking for an Associate Planner who’s ready to take on exciting, hands‑on work that makes a real difference in our community. This is a journey‑level role where you’ll dig into complex projects, work with great people, and see your efforts take shape in the neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces around you. Candidates with experience or a background in historic preservation or historic planning are especially encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Coordinating environmental and community planning projects.


• Reviewing residential, commercial, and industrial development plans.


• Visiting sites to make sure projects meet City standards and zoning rules.


• Preparing reports, drafting ordinances, and making recommendations.
  
• Presenting your work to community groups, committees, and commissions.


• Helping residents, architects, and developers understand our planning process.

What We’re Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, or Geography.


• Experience: Minimum of one year (two years preferred) of professional planning experience at the Assistant Planner level.


• Knowledge of:
  
  
  
  • Urban and regional planning principles
  
  
  • CEQA & Subdivision Map Act
  
  
  • Zoning codes, land use regulations, and plan review processes
  
  
  
  


• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong analysis and report-writing
  
  
  • Reading/interpreting maps, site plans, and engineering scales
  
  
  • Clear, professional communication with a wide range of people
  
  
  
  

Your work will directly shape the growth and character of our city, providing you with a unique opportunity to see the real-world impact of your contributions. Every day offers variety — from conducting on-site inspections to researching policies and drafting reports — so the work stays fresh and engaging. You’ll join a team in a dynamic and supportive environment where your expertise is valued. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for professional development, and the satisfaction of knowing your efforts will contribute directly to enhancing the lives of Fullerton’s residents.

The Position

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional-level and technical municipal planning work of above average difficulty, to include analyzing planning assignments, reviewing proposals/projects in progress, and coordinating planning projects; compiles data and drafts reports, ordinances, and correspondence, and performs related work as required.

Employment Guidelines

Special Requirements

• A valid Class C California driver’s license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel is required. Employees in this classification who drive during the course and scope of City business will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicle Government Pull Notice Program.


• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate City needs.

Physical Tasks And Working Conditions Include The Following

Work is performed indoors in an office environment, at a public counter, and outdoors in the field. When work is performed outdoors, there may be exposure to the elements. An incumbent travels locally on City business, sits for extended periods of time, uses basic hand tools, operates a camera, computer, keyboard, and related equipment, stands, walks, reaches, bends, twists, kneels, reaches and grasps, and may lift and move boxes of records weighing 30 pounds or less. When in the field, an incumbent may walk on slippery/uneven surfaces and slopes, crouch, twist and be exposed to construction materials and dust. An incumbent must be able to meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Supplemental Information

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

Applicants are required to include a copy of their resume as an attachment.

Applicants must provide specific and complete details about their qualifications. Based on the information provided in the application and other required materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to take part in the examination process, which may include a written exam, performance test, oral interview, and/or other assessment method.

Candidates who successfully complete the assessment process for this recruitment will be placed on an eligible list, which will remain in effect for at least one year or until an insufficient number of candidates remain on the list.

Current City of Fullerton employees may be given preference during the testing and/or selection process.

Additional Information

Employment offers are conditional upon the successful completion of a background check. The background check will include fingerprinting, verified by the State of California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An appointee will serve a 12-month probationary period. Regular City employees promoted to this position will serve a 6-month probationary period.

This bulletin does not form an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions outlined are subject to modification or revocation without prior notice.

Per California Government Code

• 3100 - 3109, all public employees are declared to be disaster service workers and must take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires that you must be a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully authorized to work in the United States to be eligible for hire.

The City of Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service.

The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] before the filing deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

Fullerton is renowned for its unique mix of residential, business, educational, and cultural environments. Boasting a population of approximately 140,000 citizens. Fullerton is a community with a strong sense of tradition and takes pride in providing an atmosphere that allows for both the preservation of its historic past and opportunities to meet the challenges of the future. Known as the "Education Community", Fullerton is also home to an award‑winning elementary and secondary school system, plus five universities and colleges, including Cal State Fullerton.

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EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employees under this classification are represented by the Fullerton Municipal Employees Federation (FMEF). For further information, please see the appropriate MOA: Fullerton Municipal Employees Federation (FMEF) MOA.