Assistant Planner

Salary : $80,537.60 - $118,996.80 Annually
Location : 100 Civic Center Mall, Indio, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 07172026
Department: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 100


Description


***DISCLAIMER: The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. The City is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make all reasonable accommodations for the disabled to participate in employment programs and facilities. Women, minorities, and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply. The finalist must pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen.***
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, learns to perform and performs professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advance planning and implementation of the City's General Plan, Zoning Code, and in the administration of land use regulations and policies; reviews complex zoning and development applications; performs complex research; prepares maps, graphs, models, and reports; presents projects to the Planning Commission; coordinates special projects; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Assistant Planner is the entry-level class in the professional planning series that allows the incumbent to develop journey level knowledge and abilities in the field of municipal planning. Initially, under immediate supervision, incumbents learn to perform and perform a variety of fundamental support activities in the area of current and advance planning. This classification is alternatively staffed with Associate Planner and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher level class.

Duties


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Learns to perform and performs professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advance planning and implementation of the City's General Plan, Specific Plans, and Zoning Code; reviews complex zoning and development applications.

Performs complex research and analyses; develops land use, environmental and statistical data related to planning; performs major planning and zoning studies for development; investigates planning problems while considering legal and public relations aspects, as well as plans and makes presentations of findings; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning and zoning related matters; interprets planning policies, state laws, and local ordinances or explains procedures.

Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners, and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications, and implementation requirements; assists in the administration and enforcement of zoning, sign, and subdivision ordinances; issues sign permits and reviews actual locations; performs field inspections of project sites to verify compliance with conditions of approval and code requirements; communicates and coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies.

Prepares interpretive maps, graphs, charts, models, and reports; plans, organizes, and executes projects or surveys; prepares staff reports, resolutions, letters, reports, zoning ordinance changes, and environmental review documents.

Performs advanced planning activities, including major General Plan updates and amendments; monitors the effectiveness of the General Plan implementation, zoning, and design guidelines; recommends action or petitions for general planning, zoning, and development; attends numerous meetings to resolve controversial project issues.

Receives and reviews applications, for conditional use permits, tentative tract and parcel maps, zone changes, and planned developments; establishes conditions for project approval by analyzing projects with respect to relevant laws, ordinances, regulations, and city policy; determines methods to reconcile project conflicts with zoning requirements and state environmental laws; reviews final working drawings to ensure compliance with approved projects.

Coordinates various planning studies and related matters with consultants; responds to public inquiries at the public counter, on the phone, and through email; coordinates with regional and sub-regional agencies to address certain regional and inter-jurisdictional issues.

Assists the public at the front counter; provides information and responds to inquiries regarding planning and development programs and project application issues with developers, brokers, lenders, and the public.

May represent the City by serving on various planning committees, commissions and task forces in an advisory capacity and/or as a voting member; makes presentations to the City Council.


Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Receives immediate supervision from the Principal Planner or Planning Manager. Incumbents do not routinely exercise supervision.

OTHER DUTIES:
Assists with redevelopment and economic development matters as necessary.

May assist in updating and revising entitlement application materials, economic development promotional materials and other literature for public dissemination.

May participate in community meetings.

May assist with GIS projects.

Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications


(The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Assistant Planner

Education:
The required qualification is to possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning, Architecture, Environmental Design or a related field

Experience:
The required qualification is to possess one year of planning experience

Associate Planner

Experience:
In addition to the requirements above, the required qualification is to possess one year of experience in municipal planning equivalent to that of an Assistant Planner in the City of Indio.

License/Certificate:

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license.

Additional Information


KNOWLEDGE:
Modern principles, practices and techniques of current and advanced planning; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic, and social concepts as applied to municipal planning; statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies; methods and techniques of training; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations, including the City Municipal Code, the California Environmental Quality Act, and California laws relating to subdivisions, annexations, zoning, and land use; basic principles of mathematics; methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; standard office procedures, practices, and equipment; modern office practices, methods, and equipment, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and grammar; occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

SKILLS:
Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications, including, graphic and presentation programs.

ABILITIES:
Apply policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process; interpret and prepare maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; attend evening meetings, including Planning Commission, City Council, and other agency meetings as required; collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning and zoning; make comprehensive presentations; perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret, and record data accurately; organize, prioritize, and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue and develop and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A flex benefit is provided monthly. There are several medical insurance programs, two dental plans and one vision plan from which to choose.
RETIREMENT: City participates in the 2% @ 62 for new PERS miscellaneous members and 2.7 @ 57 for New PERS sworn program. The City also participates in social security. Please contact Human Resources if you are an existing PERS member.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution, a choice of two 457 plans.
VACATION LEAVE: Based on length of employment with the City. 0<4 years = 3.08 hours, 4<7 years = 4.62 hours, 7<10 years = 5.54 hours, 10 years = 6.15 hours, 11 years = 6.46 hours, 12 years = 6.77 hours, 13 years = 7.08 hours, 14 years = 7.39 hours and 15 more years = 7.69 hours.
Maximum vacation accumulation shall be three (3) times that employee's annual accrual coinciding with his/her current rate of earning. Upon reaching this ceiling, no more vacation shall accumulate until vacation is taken.
HOLIDAYS: City observes thirteen (13) holidays each year.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 60 day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances providing 100% of pay.
LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 term life. Premiums paid by the City. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for purchase.


MILEAGE: Employees who are required to use their personal vehicles for City business shall be reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate.
EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: May be reimbursed for actual cost, subject to availability of funds.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, or Resolution. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
01


Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning, Architecture, Environmental Design or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess one year of planning experience?

• Yes
• No

03


List the name of the employer, your job title, and the dates of employment where you gained the required experience. You must provide the requested information. Responses including "see resume" or "see application" will result in rejection of your application.
Required Question