Planning Technician or Assistant Planner I

Planning Technician

$34.83 - $42.33/hour Steps 1 - 5 OR Assistant Planner I $42.43 - $51.58/hour Steps 1 - 5

The City of Santa Clarita is hiring one position at either a Planning Technician or an Assistant Planner I level, depending on skill level and qualifications.

The Planning Technician is responsible for assisting customers at the public counter and on the phone with planning questions regarding small residential and commercial projects; reviewing over-the-counter permits; intake of entitlement applications and preparing invoices; identifying zoning and associated development standards; conducting research and planning studies; supporting division permitting and counter operations; and may make public presentations on a variety of planning issues.

The Assistant Planner I position is responsible for assisting customers at the public counter, through the City's online plan review system, and on the phone with planning questions for more complex residential and commercial projects; reviewing subdivisions, zoning, and development requests; performing planning studies; interpreting code requirements and suggesting improvements; and presenting to the Planning Commission on a variety of planning issues.

Planning Technician Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides assistance to customers at the public counter and on the phone; responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests

Reviews over-the-counter permits, entitlement applications, and plot plans; initiates the land use entitlement process by gathering application materials and creating project files; prepares case files for distribution; prepares planning-related correspondence

Maintains planning files for the division; tracks and orders supplies for the planning counter; inputs planning data into an online database

Performs planning studies, conducts research, does site surveys, and prepares reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections

Provides information to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff for the development of graphs and maps

Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues as needed

Establishes positive working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public

Performs other duties as assigned

Assistant Planner I Duties and Responsibilities:

Responds to questions pertaining to subdivision, zoning, and development requests; provides assistance to customers at the public counter and on the phone; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning-related matters

Interprets planning policies, laws, and ordinances; reviews planning proposals; establishes conditions for project approval to ensure compliance with these policies, laws, and ordinances

Issues home occupancy permits, conditional and minor use permits, oak tree permits, and other over-the-counter permits

Performs planning studies, conducts research and analysis, and writes technical planning reports pertaining to the General Plan, Unified Development Code, environmental assessments, annexations, and population projections

Prepares planning documents, including staff reports, resolutions, and environmental review documents

Conducts site surveys and formulates site design alternatives within the regulations of the Unified Development Code

Attends community, City Council, and Planning Commission meetings and makes presentations on a variety of planning issues

Establishes positive working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public

Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

Planning Technician Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field

Experience providing customer service in person and on the phone, preferably within a municipal planning environment, is desirable

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered

A valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related functions

Assistant Planner I Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field

One year of professional planning experience in public or private sector, preferably in a planning organization, is desirable

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered

A valid Class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation to carry out job-related functions

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of land use, planning, and zoning policies and processes, and the ability to use this knowledge to explain regulations and policies to customers and review and evaluate development plans

The ability to review and evaluate planning, zoning, and development plans and recommend workable solutions

Familiarity with the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental Quality Act

Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage time, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work in an environment with constant interruptions, consistently meet deadlines, and be flexible to changing priorities

Strong computer skills and the ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create planning-related correspondence, reports, and presentations

Strong written communication skills and the ability to prepare technical correspondence, reports, and PowerPoint presentations pertaining to planning principles

Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to make clear presentations regarding complex planning issues, and communicate effectively with employees and the public in a way that represents a positive City image to the public, employees, and the development community

Strong customer service skills and the ability to interact with people in a tactful, professional, and helpful manner

Strong conflict management skills and the ability to effectively address and resolve customer concerns at the counter, on the phone, and by email

Strong work ethic and the ability to conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with developers, community organizations, state and local agencies, City staff, and the public

Strong analytical skills and the ability to review and evaluate development plans and prepare graphic displays to illustrate planning data

Strong mathematical skills and the ability to read figures quickly and accurately, and solve mathematical calculations

The ability to drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds

Additional Information

This position will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

An online completed City application form is required to apply for this position. All employment information must be provided on the application. Providing a resume is not a substitute for completing this section of the application. Applications left incomplete, or with a reference to attachments may be rejected. The selection process will include one or more of the following: written exam, technical knowledge assessment, writing skill assessment, and/or oral interviews that may be conducted in person and/or via video conferencing. If you require special accommodations to participate in the application/selection process, please notify Human Resources for assistance.

All offers of regular employment with the City of Santa Clarita are made contingent upon receipt of proof of legal right to work in the United States, successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment physical, which may include a drug screen and Department of Justice fingerprinting. Criminal offender information will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The City uses the E-Verify program to electronically confirm work authorization of newly hired employees. All new employees are required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program. This program authorizes the City to receive a driver record report upon enrollment and during employment. Only degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation will be accepted.

As a City of Santa Clarita public employee, you may be called upon to work as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) in the event of an emergency (in accordance with Government Code 3100-3109). Before entering upon the duties of employment, all public employees, except those excluded by law, take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation set forth in the California Constitution, declaring them to be Disaster Service Workers in time of need.

Compensation includes enrollment in California Public Employees' Retirement System as a replacement for Social Security plus a competitive benefits package. All appointments are made at step 1 of the salary range unless otherwise authorized by the City Manager.