Junior Planner: Trainee to Associate Path

Stanislaus-County-; Modesto (CA); On-site; Full time

Job description

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Assistant Planner Trainee - $29.70 hourly
• Assistant Planner - $34.94 - $42.47 hourly
• Associate Planner - $41.71 - $50.70 hourly

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Planning and Community Development Department is seeking a candidate with strong organizational, quality control, time management, and communication skills wanting to work in a team-oriented environment focused on customer service and service delivery. The ideal candidate must have the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external customers and have a can-do attitude.

Gain insights into Stanislaus County's application process. Review our application process and quick guide to applying.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

• Application Deadline: 08/18/2026
• Written Examination: 08/31/2026
• Oral Examination: 09/14/206

To learn more about the Planning and Community Development Department, https://www.stancounty.com/planning/.

THE POSITION

The Department is seeking a qualified candidate for the Trainee, Assistant, or Associate Planner position. As a member of the Planning and Community Development Department, you'll be part of an organization that fosters collaboration, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment are essential.

The position will be assigned current planning tasks including, but not limited to, processing land use entitlements, subdivisions, and preparing initial studies in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act; however, other assignments may be made as department needs shift.

As a block-budgeted position, a promotion from the Assistant to Associate Planner may be approved by the Department Head once an incumbent demonstrates the leadership and ability to work effectively and independently with minimal supervision and has attained the minimum years of experience. As required by department workload and funding, the incumbent may be assigned to various tasks within the Department.

ABOUT THE TRAINEE DESIGNATION

• Trainees are part of the unclassified service of the County;
• All trainees will be appointed to the first step of the salary range for the appropriate position, and will be compensated 15% below the range established for the Assistant Planner classification;
• Trainee appointments are not to last longer than one year; however, appointments are extendible to a maximum of two years in cases where minimum qualifications are involved; and
• Upon completion of the training period and the acquisition of minimum qualifications, the individual may be upgraded to a probationary appointment at step 1 of the Assistant Planner salary range. (An approximate 15% increase in salary)

ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Assist the public at the front counter, on the phone, and in writing, by answering questions and providing detailed information regarding zoning, development standards and development proposals;
• Review entitlement and building permit applications for completeness and accuracy and compliance with applicable ordinances and guidelines;
• Prepare initial studies and environmental determinations in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
• Review development proposals, subdivision proposals, and building plans for consistency and conformance with appropriate regulations;
• Research, collect, analyze, summarize and present data related to entitlement applications for land use studies and related environmental studies;
• Assist in the compilation, analysis, and presentation of data for elements of the General Plan or other County projects such as capital improvement and conservation programs;
• Assist in the drafting and administration of ordinances relating to the County's planning program;
• Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, outside agencies and the general public regarding County development policies and standards;
• Coordinate project review with other County departments and outside agencies;
• Prepare all project related written correspondence in accordance with applicable laws, policies and customer service standards;
• Prepare graphics, charts, and other illustrative materials;
• Prepare Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Agenda reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Present and explain projects and problems at public meetings and conferences;
• Assist with grant management, including competitive grant funding, or state or federal entitlement grant funded programs (such as Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs) administered by the Department; and
• Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER (In addition to the tasks listed above)

• Independently and with minimal assistance and supervision, conduct all tasks listed above for both routine and complex projects;
• Review, process, and implement all levels of environment assessments in accordance with CEQA; and
• Plan, assign, trains, and supervise work of subordinate personnel.

KNOWLEDGE

ASSISTANT AND ASSOCIATE PLANNER

• Principle and practices of land use planning and zoning;
• Principle and practices applying to governmental planning;
• Local, State and Federal laws relating to planning procedures;
• State and Federal environmental laws;
• Current trends in local, State and Federal Planning;
• Trend and statistics affecting public planning; and
• Engineering and building drawing and topographic mapping.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Review, collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning, demographic and zoning situations;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written and oral reports;
• Provide project reports at public meetings such as the Planning Commission;
• Work on and coordinate several complex planning projects simultaneously, often as part of a team;
• Effectively communicate and maintain harmonious relations with subordinates, governmental officials, fellow employees and the public;
• Complete work assignments in a timely and accurate manner;
• Read site and plot plans and blueprints;
• Understand governmental structures and current policy issues in Stanislaus County;
• Review current legislation and identify the impact on current programs; and
• Use PC's, including word processing, spreadsheet and GIS applications.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER (In addition to abilities defined above)

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

ASSISTANT PLANNER TRAINEE

• This position can be made at the Trainee level. For this recruitment, appointees will be selected at the Trainee level consistent with the County's 'Trainee' provision. This means their appointment will be 15% below the salary assigned to the Assistant Planner.
• The person applying for the 'Trainee position' is not required to meet the minimum qualifications but must be within one (1) year of acquiring the education and experience required for the Assistant Planner.
• Appointments under the 'Trainee' provision will be up to 12 months. For successful performance and meeting the minimum qualifications, the Trainee will be considered for regular appointment.

ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four (4) years of related education and/or planning experience; OR
• A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year experience within the above pattern or four (4) years of non-professional planning experience with a local government land-use planning agency and completion or commitment to complete an approved land-use certification program may be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree; AND
• One (1) year of progressively responsible related professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

NOTE:

A Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning may be substituted for six (6) months of the required experience.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four years (4) of related education and/or planning experience. A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience within the above pattern; AND
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

NOTE:

A Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning may be substituted for six (6) months of the required experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Proof of education must be provided at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6330 to make other arrangements before 5pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before final filing deadline will result indisqualification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year experience in applying the principles and practices of the California Land Use Planning and Zoning Laws, Subdivision Map Act, and California Environmental Quality Act in the review of land use entitlement applications; OR
• One (1) year experience in processing environmental assessments in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); OR
• One (1) year experience in working with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to review, analyze and develop geographical data; OR
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with grant management, including competitive grants or entitlement grants such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs or similar federal and state grants; OR
• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, or Geography.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application form.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation.
• Perform job duties in a manner assuring a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Maintain confidential information according to the legal standards and/or County regulations as required.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements.