PLANNING TECHNICIAN

Planning Technician

Come join the City of Newport Beach Community Development Department! Currently, the Community Development Department has one flexibly staffed vacancy at the Planning Technician level. The Planning Technician serves as a frontline resource for residents, developers, and businesses, providing guidance on zoning regulations, land use policies, and development applications. The role is dedicated to staffing the public Planning Counter and assisting customers with a wide range of planning and development inquiries. This position combines customer service, plan review, technical research, and project coordination skills to support development throughout the City.

Selection Components:

• Application Evaluation: This position will remain open on a continuous basis with the first review on July 3, 2026, or until 150 applications are received. In order for the application package to be considered complete, candidates are required to attach their resume to the online application.
• Interviews: Those candidates deemed most qualified as reflected in their online application will be invited to an in-person interview tentatively scheduled for July 27, 2026. Passing applicants will be placed on an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

Schedule: This position has the potential to work a flexible schedule (e.g. 5/40 or 9/80).

Career Path: Planning Technician is the first level in the flexibly staffed Planner series followed by Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, and Senior Planner.

Retirement: The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS and the employee is required to contribute 8% (or half the normal cost, whichever is higher) of pay towards the retirement benefit.

Please see the online job specification for a more detailed description of essential duties.

Please see the online job specification for a more detailed description of qualifications.

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

• Experience: Six months related work experience in urban planning is highly desirable. Experience in working with the public will also be considered.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in urban planning, environmental planning, geography, landscape architecture, or a related field.
• License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.

Please Note: Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. The prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.