Assistant Planner
The Assistant Planner is an entry-level professional role responsible for conducting land use planning assignments including reviewing development projects, performing environmental reviews, and preparing planning reports. The position involves public interaction, data analysis, and ensuring compliance with county planning policies and regulations, supporting sustainable community development within Confidential Client.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Housing & Community Development (Public Sector).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Assistant Planner to support housing, land-use, and community development projects. This role performs routine professional planning assignments and acts as project planner on smaller reviews under guidance from senior staff.
- Provide factual and interpretive information to the public regarding land use plans, permit procedures, environmental review processes, and filing requirements.
- Review land use entitlements and agency referrals for consistency with plans and regulations; prepare staff recommendations and comprehensive reports.
- Conduct environmental review and support preparation of environmental documents.
- Conduct studies, analyze socioeconomic and environmental data, and develop methods for tracking planning information.
- Research property/resource information from electronic databases and maintain planning records.
- Perform site/field inspections to verify compliance with permit conditions and application accuracy.
- Prepare clear written reports, correspondence, and concise oral presentations for internal teams, boards, and commissions.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:
- Working knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Some knowledge of land use planning principles, resource management practices, and long-range plan preparation.
- Familiarity with federal, state, and local laws and procedures governing land development and environmental review.
- Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to read and interpret maps, aerial photos, legal descriptions, and planning documents.
- Ability to collect and tabulate statistical data and perform related calculations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare clear planning reports and presentations.
- Capacity to work collaboratively in teams and build cooperative relationships with stakeholders.
- Proficiency with common office software and willingness to learn planning-specific tools and databases.
Education & Experience (Qualifying Options)
Any combination of training, education, and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Typical ways to qualify:
- Option I — Education: Completion of all coursework leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Planning or a closely related field (with planning coursework).
- Option II — Education + Experience: Equivalent of two years of college-level coursework in planning (or related field) plus a minimum of two years of progressive planning experience.
- Option III — Experience: A minimum of four years of experience in land use planning or a related field; internship experience in public or private planning is desirable.
Compensation & Benefits
- Monthly salary range: $6,197 – $8,459
- Annual equivalent: approximately $74,364 – $101,510
- Confidential Client offers a competitive public‑sector benefits package (health, retirement, paid time off); specific benefits follow the applicable Memorandum of Understanding or personnel policies.
Additional Information & Conditions of Employment
- Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or provide approved transportation.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and disaster/emergency events.
- Employment contingent upon acceptable background review and documentation verifying identity and work authorization (I‑9).
- Temporary hires may be paid hourly and may not be eligible for the full benefits package.
- Veterans’ preference and eligible military spouse preference may apply where eligible.
Why Apply via Careertakes
- Careertakes is a dedicated third‑party recruiting partner — we help surface role details and additional matched opportunities while ensuring a fair, privacy‑minded process.
- If you meet the qualifications and want to grow in housing and land use planning within the public sector, this entry‑level role provides hands‑on experience in permitting, environmental review, and policy support.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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