Planning Intern

Planning Intern

The City of Paso Robles is excited to welcome a planning intern to the Community Development Department's Planning Division. This is an opportunity for a current student or recent graduate to turn classroom learning into real-world experience and see firsthand how thoughtful planning helps guide the growth and future of a community.

Working alongside experienced planning professionals, the planning intern will gain a practical understanding of municipal planning and development while contributing to meaningful work that serves the Paso Robles community. The ideal candidate is curious, detail-oriented, eager to learn, and ready to build a strong foundation for a career in planning or a related field.

This part-time internship is open to current students and recent graduates in planning or a related field. The position is scheduled for up to 17 hours per week for a maximum of one year, with the potential for a one-year extension by mutual agreement.

Paso Robles is nestled in the heart of California's scenic Central Coast, offering a unique blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern opportunity. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and panoramic vineyard views, Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.

Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region, home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants, and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, California Mid-State Fair, and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round.

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City is a full-service municipality, meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. The City operates with a total annual budget of $148.5 million for fiscal year 2026-27 and employs 311.97 full-time equivalent positions across various departments.

The Community Development Department helps guide the thoughtful growth and development of Paso Robles. Through its Planning, Engineering, and Building divisions, the Department works collaboratively to support projects from initial planning and review through construction and completion.

Typical Duties

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or may be required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and evolving business practices.

• Assists planning staff in the preparation of staff reports, zoning letters, conditions of approval, presentations, application materials, and public notifications.
• Assists in reviewing development applications, site plans, and construction drawings for compliance with zoning regulations, design guidelines, and applicable City standards.
• Conducts research, compiles, analyzes, and summarizes data related to land use, zoning, housing, environmental review, and community planning projects.
• Assists in the review and processing of planning applications, including verifying completeness and supporting project tracking.
• Prepares maps, exhibits, diagrams, and other visual materials to support planning reports, public meetings, and presentations.
• Maintains and updates planning records, databases, permit files, and project tracking systems to ensure accuracy and organization.
• Provides professional customer service to the public, applicants, developers, and City staff in person, by phone, and via email, including explaining basic planning processes and requirements.
• Assists with preparation for public hearings, Planning Commission meetings, and community outreach events, including agendas, staff reports, and presentation materials.
• Attends and supports public meetings, workshops, and community engagement events as needed.
• Collaborates and coordinates with City staff, consultants, applicants, residents, and other agencies to support planning projects and development review processes.
• Reads, interprets, and assists in the analysis of architectural plans, site plans, zoning maps, and related planning documents.
• Assists with long-range and current planning projects, including basic policy research and land use analysis under supervision.

Employment Standards & Special Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Fundamental principles and practices of urban and regional planning, zoning, and land use regulation.
• Methods and techniques used to review planning applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable standards and requirements.
• Municipal planning, zoning, and development review processes, including basic permitting procedures.
• Basic concepts of architecture, site planning, and landscape design as they relate to land use planning and development review.
• Recordkeeping principles, practices, and document management procedures.
• Principles of customer service and effective communication with the public, applicants, developers, consultants, and City staff.
• Standard computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and presentation or publishing tools (e.g., PowerPoint or Publisher).
• Basic principles of federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and policies related to planning, zoning, and urban development.
• Proper English grammar, spelling, and professional written communication standards.
• Basic research and analytical methods used to support planning studies, zoning analysis, and land use evaluation.
• Techniques for preparing clear, accurate, and well-organized reports, summaries, and presentation materials.

Ability to:

• Learn and clearly explain planning, zoning, and land use regulations and processes to the public and stakeholders.
• Conduct routine research, compile data, and summarize findings related to planning, zoning, and development projects.
• Read and understand architectural plans, site plans, zoning maps, and related technical documents.
• Identify issues, inconsistencies, or concerns in applications, plans, or public inquiries and bring them to the attention of supervisory staff.
• Perform basic mathematical computations and quantitative analysis related to planning data.
• Prepare clear, concise, and professionally formatted reports, correspondence, and supporting materials.
• Perform detailed support work accurately, organize assigned work, manage multiple tasks, and meet established deadlines.
• Work independently with appropriate supervision, exercising sound judgment and initiative within assigned tasks.
• Interpret and apply planning policies, zoning codes, and regulations in routine situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, applicants, consultants, developers, other agencies, and the public.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, using tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when responding to inquiries and providing information.
• Take a proactive, customer-service-oriented approach when assisting the public and supporting planning functions.

Education and Experience A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Possession of a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; and
• Current enrollment in or recent completion of an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban and regional planning, city and regional planning, geography, public administration, environmental studies, architecture, landscape architecture, community development, or a closely related field.

Coursework or experience related to land use planning, zoning, environmental review, housing, community development, GIS, urban design, public policy, or municipal planning is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications Requires possession of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record

The full job description, including physical demands and working conditions, is available on the Job Descriptions page of the City's website.

Selection Procedure & Application Process

This is a confidential recruitment. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. All information provided in application materials is subject to verification. False statements may result in disqualification or discharge.

This is an at-will position and may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time by the incumbent or the City. The email address provided on the City application will be the primary means of communication regarding this recruitment. The City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify. More information is available at For questions regarding the application process, contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are