Assistant / Associate Planner

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

The mission of the Community Development Department is to assist the public in managing the development of the community in order to protect and preserve the quality of life, promote a sound economic base and appropriate design, and ensure safe construction, all in balance with the constraints of the City’s environment and resources. Read more about the Department of Community Development here.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Community Development Department, Planning Division is seeking a motivated Assistant or Associate Planner. The current vacancy will be filled at either the Assistant or Associate Planner level, according to depth and breadth of experience.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background and interest in working with project applicants, other City departments, government agencies, decision-makers, and the public to process development projects through environmental, design, and development review, and building permit plan check.   This position performs project review for compliance with policies and regulations, complex plans examination, may act as primary staff to a design review board, will present projects to the Staff Hearing Officer and Planning Commission, and may also gather and analyze data and prepare staff reports and special studies. Work in this position is characterized by a combination of typical urban planning assignments with some complex and controversial assignments involving important community issues such as affordable housing, urban design and architecture, transportation, cultural diversity, land use policies and development standards, growth management, and environmental protection.  

Distinguishing Characteristics

The desired candidate will have a strong foundation in providing good customer service, a solution-oriented approach to resolving issues and conflicts, and a willingness to adapt to regulations and procedures to simplify and streamline project review. 

Assistant Planner

$86,479.64 - $105,116.96 Annually

This is the entry-level class in the Planner series, which follows the Planning Technician series.  The Assistant Planner performs basic level environmental, design, and development review; report preparation; and will have a high degree of public interaction. The Assistant Planner receives general supervision from higher level staff.

Associate Planner

$93,663.70 - $113,848.80 Annually

This is the full journey level class within the Planner series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including complex plans examination, policy development and advanced report preparation. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class may be filled by advancement from the Assistant level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal planning, zoning, policy development, public participation, environmental review, and coastal and growth management issues.
• Site planning and urban and architectural design techniques and terminology. 
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment.
• Local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to urban planning and environmental review, and their practical application to local situations.
• Preparation of reports, graphs, and visual presentations.
• Research techniques and record keeping.

Ability to:

• Interpret and review commercial, industrial, and residential development plans and application materials to determine compliance with requirements. 
• Review projects for compliance with California Environmental Quality Act; work with the Environmental Analyst to prepare environmental documents as needed. 
• Coordinate project review with other departments or outside agencies.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Confer with and advise architects, attorneys, contractors, engineers, environmental and technical consultants, and the general public, regarding City development policies and standards.
• Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment. 
• Apply basic planning principles, present staff recommendations on development proposals to Boards and Commissions, and explain proposals’ conformance to local, state and federal requirements.
• Use computerized permit system, Windows based software and other required computer applications.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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

Education and/or Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major in urban planning and policy, urban design and architecture, or closely related field e.g., environmental studies/policy, sustainability/transportation planning, geography, or urban law.

A minimum of two to three years’ professional planning experience, preferably with local government experience.

California coastal planning and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) experience highly desired.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.  

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Planning Division. The current vacancy will be filled at either the Assistant or Associate Planner level, according to depth and breadth of experience.

If filled at the Assistant Planner level, the position has opportunity for promotion to the Associate Planner level.

Eligibility lists established for either position may be used for future vacancies in the Planning Division.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON MONDAY, MARCH, 31, 2025. 

Salary : $86,480 - $105,117