Assistant/Associate Planner

Salary: $6,763.00 - $8,220.00 Monthly
Location : 2200 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: AP0626
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 7/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Welcome
This recruitment is subject to close without advance notice.
Interviews Date: TBD

Final Interview Date: TBD
Competitive Wages:

4% COLA increase effective July 1, 2026
The Community Development Department is looking for an enthusiastic, excellent interpersonal skills, dedicated, knowledgeable, and customer service-oriented professional to join our team. If you are interested in joining a team that is motivated and committed to delivering the highest level of customer service, apply today! The department is responsible for administering and enforcing local and state regulations applicable to construction on private property within the city. Included in this responsibility is the review of construction plans, issuance of permits and field inspection of projects from foundation through final completion of buildings. The department plays the major role in ensuring conformance with city ordinances, state laws, and promoting property maintenance.
Situated 12 miles from the majestic foothill mountains, the beautiful City of San Marino, California, with a population of approximately 13,000 is located northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. Incorporated in 1913, San Marino is primarily a residential community known for expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, well- maintained parkways, and top- performing schools. A city of 3.75 square miles, the City is home to numerous recreational and cultural opportunities that complement all interests. Residents and visitors enjoy hiking in the foothill mountains, exhibits at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, historical culture and art galleries at the Old Mill (El Molino Viejo), and recreational activities at the historic Lacy Park. Other recreational activities include shopping and dining in the delightful business districts along Mission Street and Huntington Drive. With a focus on resident services and community engagement, the City of San Marino is recognized for its police and fire services, library, parks and community amenities, and planning and zoning that maintain the community's high-quality residential character.


DEFINITION

Associate Planner-

The Associate Planner functions under the Senior Planner and under the direction of the Community Development Director.

Assistant Planner-

Under general supervision, performs professional and technical planning work in the development and implementation of current, long range, community and environmental goals as governed by planning ordinances and development relating to municipal planning, environmental review, and housing.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Associate Planner-

The Associate Planner is the journey level position in the professional planning series that performs routine professional level work in the field of current planning and advanced planning, environmental analysis, and building code administration.

Assistant Planner-
Reporting to the Senior Planner, the Assistant Planner is an entry-level position in the professional planning series that performs routine professional-level work in the field of current and advanced planning, environmental analysis, and building code Administration.

Essential Functions

Associate Planner/Assistant Planner

The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and demands.
Duties
Associate Planner-

• Provides assistance at the public counter with inquiries and requests regarding the City's planning functions and procedures for obtaining building permits.
• Reviews development plans for construction of single-family homes and commercial buildings; explains the City's zoning requirements and procedures to contractors, architects and homeowners for applications to the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission.
• Participates in the preparation of initial studies and in the preparation of, or review of environmental impact reports.
• Provides primary staff support to the Design Review Committee; compiles information and makes recommendations on special studies and prepares routine planning reports.
• Assists in making presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and various committees and advisory boards as directed.
• Participates in zoning enforcement and administration; assists in reviewing development proposals; researches and drafts ordinances for review.
• Assists in coordinating City planning activities with outside departments.
• May provide supervisory responsibilities over subordinate personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Assistant Planner-

• Provide assistance at the public counter regarding inquiries and requests about the City's planning functions and procedures for obtaining building permits.
• Interpret and explain City policies, plans, procedures, and regulations to the public.
• Conduct code enforcement field studies, investigations, and compliance actions.
• Review development plans for construction of single-family homes and commercial buildings; explain the City's plans for construction of single-family homes and commercial buildings; explain the City's zoning requirements and procedures to contractors, architects and homeowners for application to the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission.
• Participate in preparing initial studies and in preparing or reviewing environmental impact reports; compile information and make recommendations on special studies and prepares routine planning reports.
• Assist in the creation of presentations for the Planning Commission, City Council, various committees, and advisory boards.
• Participate in zoning enforcement and administration.
• Research and draft ordinances for review; and assist in coordinating City planning activities with outside departments.
• Research, collect and analyze demographic, social, economic, geographic, and environmental data and write reports to make recommendations to management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND DEMANDS

Associate Planner/Assistant Planner

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of urban planning.
• Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Major types of construction materials and techniques.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation and basic mathematics.
• Familiarity with standard office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software.

Skills and Demands:
Associate Planner-

• Retain and interpret building and zoning codes and City ordinances related to the Planning and Building Department activities; interpret technical building codes, ordinances, plans and specifications with increasing independence.
• Apply environmental laws and regulations and methods of assessment; analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports; interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Review and understand architectural, grading, topographical and related drawings; conduct research, prepare detailed narrative reports, perform complex numerical analysis and sort/file documents.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Operate a computer, software programs, and other modern office equipment.
• Respond to the public's and staff's requests for assistance both on the phone and in person; and deal effectively with the public while working at the front counter.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, members of the public, and with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Observe safety rules; sit for up to two hours at a time, stand, stoop or bend for long periods of time; drive to and from construction sites and conduct field inspections; lift up to 15 pounds; get from one location to another, including climbing stairs, in the course of doing business.

Assistant Planner-

• Retain and interpret building and zoning codes and City ordinances related to planning and building department activities; interpret technical building codes, ordinances, plans and specifications with increasing independence; interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Apply environmental laws and regulations and methods of assessment; analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Conduct, research, prepare detailed narrative reports, perform complex numerical analysis and sort/file documents; make oral presentations.
• Review and understand architectural, grading, topographical and related drawings.
• Set priorities, organize workflow and maintain organization of work and records.
• Use time effectively and efficiently to maximize work assignments.
• Exercise good judgment and uphold confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; understand, interpret, and apply general administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Show interest and understand the needs, expectations, and circumstances of internal and external customers.
• Develop and maintain working relationships.
• Fully comprehend spoken communication by picking up on nuances in tone and meaning and being attentive to non-verbal cues and body language.
• Maintain emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Education
Associate Planner-

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public administration, geography, architecture, or a closely related field.
• Experience
  • Two (2) years of full-time-related experience in the position of Assistant Planner or any equivalent.
  Licenses/Certificates
  • Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

Assistant Planner-

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public administration, geography, architecture, or a closely related field.
• Experience
  • Internship experience in the field of planning.
  Licenses/Certificates
  • Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

PRINCIPLE VALUES

Associate Planner/Assistant Planner
The City maintains a strong culture of integrity, collaboration, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community at large. To that end, the incumbent is expected to:

• Maintain a strong sense of honesty and integrity by committing to ethical behaviors and taking personal accountability for actions and takes initiative to intervene upon observing unethical behavior.
• Support and appreciate the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the City's workforce and residents by demonstrating respect to everyone, providing excellent service to all individuals, and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrate an ability to respond positively and adapt to changes in the workplace.
• Ability to work as a team-player by collaborating with co-workers to make sound decisions when necessary and demonstrating empathy towards co-workers and the community.
• Adhere to all safety practices and procedures as required by City policies and the law and encourage others to do the same.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Associate Planner/Assistant Planner

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
Employee is regularly required to sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time; to stand at the counter for long periods of time; talk or listen, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment, surrounding desk; walk to observe construction activities; bend and squat to perform file searches; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; operate an automobile, and frequently enter and exit an automobile, to attend various meetings and go on inspections. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust focus. While performing duties, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; analyze planning and building services, and technical reports; research and write staff reports and other documents; know laws, regulations and codes; explain and interpret codes, policies and procedures; interact
with City management, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public.
Work Environment:
Employee spends 80% working in an office environment and while performing the duties of this job indoors, the work environment is generally in a temperature controlled office. Noise levels in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, telephones and other office equipment.
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The City of San Marino is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and seek diversity in our workforce. San Marino is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
RETIREMENT - PERS
CalPERS 2% @ 60 (Classic Members) or CalPERS 2% @ 62 (New members). The employee pays the full employee portion of the retirement contribution, and the City does not participate in Social Security.

SOCIAL SECURITY
No contributions are paid by the City or employee into Social Security

MEDICARE
1.45% of salary paid by the City and 1.45% by the employee

VACATION LEAVE
The City provides full time and probationary employees with 90 hours of annual vacation accrual, increasing up to 180 hours based on years of service. Please refer to the San Marino CEA Memorandum of Understanding for vacation accrual formula.

SICK LEAVE
Employees receive 96 hours of sick leave per year, maximum accrual of up to 240 hours.

HEALTH COVERAGE
Effective July 1, 2024- June 30, 2027, the costs for all medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans shall be fully funded by the City for the Los Angeles County region of medical coverage.

In the event that the "FFBP" fails to cover the actual costs, the individual employee shall pay the difference.

MEDICAL INSURANCE
The City participates in the CalPERS health benefit program for medical plans: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, Kaiser, PERS Gold, PERS Plantinum, UnitedHealthcare.

DENTAL INSURANCE
Delta Dental PPO or DeltaCare HMO coverage

VISION INSURANCE
Ameritas/VSP

LONG TERM DISABILITY & SHORT TERM DISABILITY
Benefits equal 60% of employee's base salary for qualified periods

LIFE INSURANCE
$50,000 Basic Life Insurance - Lincoln Financial Group
Up to $500,0000 Voluntary Life Insurance with Humana

457b TAX-DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Income may be deferred on a pre-tax and/or post-tax basis through TIAA based on IRS Regulations. The City will match up to $100 per month towards the employer-sponsored tax-savings retirement plan.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS
The City provides access to supplemental insurance programs currently administered through American Fidelity

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
EAP services designed to help manage life's challenges. Free counseling sessions, legal and financial consultation, discounts, and referrals.

HOLIDAYS - 12 DAYS ANNUALLY
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday following Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

FLOATING HOLIDAYS
1 Floating holiday per year

LONGEVITY PAY
Longevity Pay compensation after 10 consecutive years of full-time years of service with the City of San Marino.
- 10 Yrs of Service- 2% of base salary per month
- 15 Yrs of Service- 4% of base salary per month
- 20 Yrs of Service- 6% of base salary per month