Associate Planner / Assistant Planner

City of Westminster; Westminster (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Westminster is seeking qualified professionals for Assistant and Associate Planner roles within the Community Development Department in Westminster, California. Positions involve current and advanced planning tasks, development review, and public guidance on zoning and environmental matters.

Candidates should have a four-year degree in urban planning or related field and four years of experience. Both roles offer growth opportunities and a pathway to senior planning responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or closely related field.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional urban planning and public administration; California Driver License or reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Review development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; prepare written project analyses and staff reports.
• Provide professional advice to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; assist Planning Manager or Senior Planner.
• Advance planning work; conduct studies and present staff reports; support staff meetings and project assignments.
• Coordinate with other departments; administer the City's Municipal Code and applicable state laws related to planning, zoning, subdivisions and environmental requirements.
• May administer current or advanced planning activities and lead project priorities and staff training.

Skills

Urban planning

Zoning

Environmental review

GIS

Public administration

Data analysis

Technical writing

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or closely related field

Tools

GIS software

Job description

ASSISTANT PLANNER

$78,015 - $99,569 annually

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

$89,565 - $114,311 annually

These positions are scheduled for a 5% increase effective January 2027

JOIN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT!

The City of Westminster's Community Development Department is looking for a Planner. There is currently one opening and our team will be reviewing resumes from qualified Assistant and Associate Planners. The position will be filled at either level of experience based on experience and qualifications.

ASSISTANT PLANNER

Under general supervision, performs various professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides professional staff assistance to the Planning Manager or Senior Planner, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

Under general supervision, performs advanced level professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; provides project management and administration; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides complex professional staff assistance to the Planning Manager or Senior Planner, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

This position may be filled at either level based on skill and experience.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Both positions require the equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or closely related field and four (4) years of responsible experience in professional urban planning and public administration.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of application review, an oral panel interview, and a department-level interview.

Vacancy Information

There is currently one full-time vacancy in the Community Development Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Under general direction from the Community Development Director, performs difficult and specialized assignments, analyzing data and preparing written and oral reports on current and long range planning projects; receives and reviews complex development proposals and ensures compliance with appropriate regulations and policies; makes recommendations for modifications or conditions; conducts environmental reviews; collects and analyzes data and prepares environmental documents; prepares staff reports, ordinances, amendments, resolutions and graphics, and attends and makes presentations to Planning Commission or City Council; conducts field inspections, land use surveys, and related planning studies; assists the public with processing of applications, advises applicants of recommended modifications; administers, interprets, and enables the provisions of the City's Municipal Code, State Laws, and regulations and requirements pertaining to planning, zoning, subdivisions, and environmental laws; may administer the activities of current or advanced planning activities, conduct staff meetings, organize priorities, and assign projects to staff, provide training, and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Theory, principles, and practices of City planning, development review, and environmental review; land use, zoning, Subdivision Map Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act; statistical and research methods; technical writing techniques, Geographic Information Systems; Contract administration; personnel policies and procedures; principles of quality customer service.

Ability to:

Use computer software and programs to prepare written and graphic materials; interpret planning and zoning requirements to the general public; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; manage multiple projects and priorities; analyze development plans, land use compatibility, site planning and design; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of employment.

Education/Experience/Licenses

• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Urban Planning, Public Administration or closely related field (proof required)*
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional urban planning and public administration; possession of a valid California Driver License or reliable transportation if required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to walk, sit, stand, reach, grasp, bend and squat to access public counter, files, computer keyboard and other office equipment; walk on uneven surfaces to check building sites and land parcels; enter and retrieve information from computer; lift/carry/move supplies and equipment typically weighing 25 lbs. or less; read to input or compare data; communicate both orally and in writing with supervisors, co-workers, staff and the general public; work in an office setting with moderate noise levels.