Junior Planner

Job Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply to the following related recruitments:

• Assistant Planner
• Associate Planner

Junior Planner positions perform planning and environmental research and analysis; prepare community, general, and land use plans and related studies; perform development permit review and plan checks; assist in the administration of historic preservation, landscape, rezoning, and subdivision ordinances; engage community members in the planning process; prepare preliminary reports and recommendations; draft land use ordinances; conduct field investigations; collect data; develop graphic materials; assist community planning groups; and perform other duties as assigned.

Note:

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

Minimum Requirements

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed units = 120 semester/180 quarter) which MUST include a minimum of 18 semester/27 quarter college-level units in Archeology, History, Urban Planning, Urban Studies or Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Economics, Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Public Administration, Life Science (e.g., Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Botany), Environmental Studies, or a closely related field.

Notes:

• Additional qualifying professional-level planning experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units. Qualifying full-time professional-level planning experience MUST include be in at least ONE of the following areas:

1. Prehistoric or historic archeology.
2. Historic preservation.
3. Environmental review or analysis.
4. Resource management.
5. Landscape planning or landscape architecture.
6. Environmental, general, and community planning.
7. Transportation planning.
8. Design, redevelopment, and capital improvement projects.
9. Zoning administration and enforcement.
10. Architecture and urban design.
11. Site planning.
12. Discretionary permit review and processing.

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

Screening Process

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

Supplemental Information

Pre-employment requirements: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 7 - May 22, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)