Salary : $93,305.14 - $113,412.98 Annually
Location : Murrieta City Hall, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-40
Department: Development Services
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MSA

Description and Essential Functions
The City of Murrieta is accepting applications for the position of Associate Planner to fill one (1) current vacancy for our Development Services Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to one (1) year.
Work Schedule: This position is currently assigned a regular 9/80 work schedule; however, the schedule is subject to change based on operational needs.
DEFINITION
Under general direction, 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; provides project management and administration; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides environmental review and project analysis for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and special projects in advance planning; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides professional staff assistance to the City 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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the City Planner. Exercises no supervision of staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the full journey-level classification in the professional planning series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Sr. Planner in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class in the series and is responsible for organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of departmental and/or contract staff involved in a major area of the Planning Division, in addition to performing the more complex planning and project management activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to enable qualified individuals to perform the position's essential functions. The omission of a specific duty does not preclude it from being assigned if it is similar, related, or logically aligned with the role's overall responsibilities.

• Reviews routine to complex commercial, industrial, and residential development proposals, plans, and applications for issuance of zoning clearance and for compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, standards, laws, rules, regulations, and policies
• Reviews permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provides interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local environmental guidelines; identifies corrective actions to be taken by owners; recommends improvement and rehabilitation programs; conducts follow-up and re-check and approves or denies submittals
• Reviews and signs off on plans submitted for Building Plan Check and permits
• Prepares or assists in preparing and reviewing environmental impact reports; prepares written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects
• Assists the public, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, approved development proposals, and the City's entitlement process; performs plan check functions for various projects; receives and reviews applications for building permits for completeness; receives and records zoning and code compliance complaints, establishes appropriate files, performs inspections of document violations, coordinates actions with those of other agencies, and implements appropriate procedures to correct or resolve each complaint and violation
• Serves as project manager on planning and development projects, which includes application and plan review, coordination with project applicants and other City departments, preparation and posting of legal notices, background research, environmental review, preparation of staff reports, scheduling meetings and hearings, and monitoring of project implementation to verify substantial conformance with approved plans, conditions, and mitigation measures; suggests revisions to site plans and architecture; inspects project development sites
• Compiles information for a variety of studies and reports; researches, analyzes, and interprets social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; researches and reviews previous entitlements and City records; develops recommendations and prepares written reports on various planning matters and the City's General Plan; participates in the implementation and administration of the City's General Plan and development regulations
• Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database
• Prepares and presents staff reports for the City Council, Planning Commission, Development Review Committee, Zoning Administrator, Staff Review Committee, and various other committees and advisory boards as directed; prepares research, reports, maps, and conducts briefings and meetings
• Confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards; provides and clarifies information relative to land use, zoning, code interpretation, general plan compliance, signage, and other issues
• Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review
• Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies
• Refers to and applies numerous documents including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, State Planning laws, Municipal Code, Specific Plans, Redevelopment Guidelines, emergency operations manual, historical preservation guidelines, County tax assessor's maps and records, building and architecture plans, etc
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment
• May provide technical direction and training to other planning and technical staff
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:

Required:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field and
• Three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Disaster Service Workers

In accordance with Government Code 3100, this position is declared to be a disaster service worker subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Tier 1 - Basic Pre-Employment Requirements
Final candidates must successfully complete a basic pre-employment screening process, which includes a Department of Justice Live Scan (DOJ/LS) background check and a non-safety pre-employment physical examination to ensure the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions
KNOWLEDGE OF

• Modern principles and practices of technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to city planning
• Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process
• Site planning and architectural design principles
• General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility
• Project management and contract administration principles and techniques
• Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work
• Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively serving the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

ABILITY TO

• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions
• Read plans and specifications and conduct effective site visits
• Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services
• Conduct routine research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Read and understand technical drawings and specifications
• Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals
• Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required
• Direct the work of contract consultants
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials an