Associate Planner / Assistant Planner

Salary : $78,015.00 - $114,311.00 Annually
Location : City of Westminster, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-49
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 11/9/2026 11:59 AM Pacific

Description
ASSISTANT PLANNER

$78,015 - $99,569 annually

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

$89,565 - $114,311 annually

These positions are scheduled for a 5% increase effective January 2027

The City of Westminster's Community Development Department is looking for a Planner. There is currently one opening and our team will be reviewing resumes from qualified Assistant and Associate Planners. The position will be filled at either level of experience based on experience and qualifications.

ASSISTANT PLANNER
Under general supervision, performs various professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides professional staff assistance to the Planning Manager or Senior Planner, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER
Under general supervision, performs advanced level professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; provides project management and administration; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides complex professional staff assistance to the Planning Manager or Senior Planner, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

This position may be filled at either level based on skill and experience.Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment may close at any time once sufficient qualified applications are received.
Typical Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Both positions require the equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or closely related field and four (4) years of responsible experience in professional urban planning and public administration.
Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of application review, an oral panel interview, and a department-level interview.
Vacancy Information:

There is currently one full-time vacancy in the Community Development Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Examples of Duties
Under general direction from the Community Development Director, performs difficult and specialized assignments, analyzing data and preparing written and oral reports on current and long range planning projects; receives and reviews complex development proposals and ensures compliance with appropriate regulations and policies; makes recommendations for modifications or conditions; conducts environmental reviews; collects and analyzes data and prepares environmental documents; prepares staff reports, ordinances, amendments, resolutions and graphics, and attends and makes presentations to Planning Commission or City Council; conducts field inspections, land use surveys, and related planning studies; assists the public with processing of applications, advises applicants of recommended modifications; administers, interprets, and enforces the provisions of the City's Municipal Code, State Laws, and regulations and requirements pertaining to planning, zoning, subdivisions, and environmental laws; may administer the activities of current or advanced planning activities, conduct staff meetings, organize priorities, and assign projects to staff, provide training, and other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:
Theory, principles, and practices of City planning, development review, and environmental review; land use, zoning, Subdivision Map Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act; statistical and research methods; technical writing techniques, Geographic Information Systems; Contract administration; personnel policies and procedures; principles of quality customer service.

Ability to:
Use computer software and programs to prepare written and graphic materials; interpret planning and zoning requirements to the general public; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; manage multiple projects and priorities; analyze development plans, land use compatibility, site planning and design; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of employment.

Education/Experience/Licenses

• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Urban Planning, Public Administration or closely related field (proof required)*
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional urban planning and public administration; possession of a valid California Driver License or reliable transportation if required.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Ability to walk, sit, stand, reach, grasp, bend and squat to access public counter, files, computer keyboard and other office equipment; walk on uneven surfaces to check building sites and land parcels; enter and retrieve information from computer; lift/carry/move supplies and equipment typically weighing 25 lbs. or less; read to input or compare data; communicate both orally and in writing with supervisors, co-workers, staff and the general public; work in an office setting with moderate noise levels.
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to full time employees, including:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides for the following retirement tiers:

Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011): 2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.

Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013): 2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.
The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.

INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the City's cafeteria benefits plan provides $1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Two-Party or Family plan will receive a City contribution equal to 90% of the monthly PERS Gold premium

Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

VACATION: Employees earn 120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five (5) years. Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service. Employees are permitted to cash out accrued unused vacation hours a maximum of 2 times per calendar year.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays, and an additional 27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employee's discretion.

HOLIDAY FURLOUGH: City offices are closed between Christmas and New Year's Day. Employees may use accumulated leave banks or elect leave without pay during the furlough.

SICK LEAVE: Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave per year. Employees may elect to cash out sick leave earned during the previous year at the rate of 50% of total value.

WORK SCHEDULE: The City offers flexible work schedules. Employees will have the option to work a 9/80, 4/10, or 5/8/40 work schedule. The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time.

LONGEVITY PAY:As an incentive for continuous service, employees are entitled to longevity pay at completion of the following service intervals:

• 21 years of service = 2.0% longevity pay
• 22 years of service = 4.0% longevity pay
• 23 years of service = 6.0% longevity pay
• 24 years of service = 8.0% longevity pay
• 25 years of service = 10.0% longevity pay

CELL PHONE / DATA PLAN REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who use their personal cell phone for business-related purposes may qualify for up to $60 per monthreimbursement.

BILINGUAL PAY: The City provides $200 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages including Spanish and Vietnamese.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, please refer to the Resolution covering Management, Administrative, and Confidential Employees at:
01