Junior/Assistant Planner

City of Mountain View, CA

$101K — $151K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in urban planning, housing, architecture, transportation planning, sustainability, or a related field.
  • No experience necessary for Junior Planner; internship experience preferred.
  • One year of relevant professional experience for Assistant Planner or a master's degree as a substitute for part of the experience.
  • Valid California Class C driver's license is required.
  • Local government experience in California is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct professional work in current or advanced planning and environmental review.
  • Assist at the public counter, responding to inquiries in-person, phone, or email.
  • Advise architects, builders, and others on city development policies.
  • Manage electronic planning application processes using city software.
  • Review development proposals for compliance with regulations; process applications and issue clearances.
  • Collaborate with planning staff on complex development projects.

Benefits

  • Work in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment.
  • Opportunity to make a community-wide impact through planning projects.
  • Professional development opportunities in urban planning and related fields.
  • Direct supervision and mentoring from experienced planners.
Full Job Description
Salary : $101,553.92 - $151,636.42 Annually
Location : Mountain View City Hall
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 100190
Department: Community Development Department
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: EGLE
Max Number of Applicants: 250

What's the Role and What You'll Do
We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and collaborative professional to take on the role of Junior or Assistant Planner in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. The qualifications of the finalist selected will determine whether the position is filled at the Junior or Assistant level.

You will join a fast-paced, dynamic team environment, and work under direct supervision while contributing to innovative planning projects. Tasks include assisting at the public counter with general inquiries, managing permit application intake, review, and distribution, and working on various current and long-range planning projects. If you are looking to make a community-wide impact, have a strong aptitude for providing excellent customer service, and want to start an exciting career in City planning, this position is for you! Review our detailed job description here.

What You'll Do:
  • Perform professional-level work in the field of current or advanced planning, zoning/land use, design, and environmental review.
  • Perform multiple weekly shifts at the public counter, answering general inquiries in-person, by phone, or by email.
  • Regularly confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Manage electronic application intake, distribution, and monitoring of planning applications and other permits reviewed by the division via the City's software programs.
  • Review development proposals for conformance with appropriate regulations and consistency with established policies; process permit applications; issue zoning clearances; and prepare reports and recommendations.
  • Assist other planning staff on complex development (current) or advance planning projects, reporting and other duties as assigned.

The Essentials
Junior Planner
  • Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, housing, architecture, transportation planning, sustainability, or a closely related field.
  • No experience necessary, though a master's degree, and internship experience are highly desirable.
  • Valid California Class C driver's license.

Assistant Planner
  • Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, housing, or a closely related field.
  • One year of professional planning, housing, architecture, transportation, planning, land use, or closely related experience. A master's degree in a directly related field may be substituted for six months of the required experience.
  • Valid California Class C driver's license.


Bonus Points:
  • Master's degree in urban planning, housing, or a closely related field.


  • Local government experience in California.
  • Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) degree, certification, or professional experience.

Are We a Match?
  • You work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
  • You are a clear, strategic thinker with project management skills.
  • You are passionate about planning, striving to improve the Mountain View community and providing excellent customer service.
  • You are collaborative and responsive, both with co-workers and with stakeholders.
  • You are adept at managing multiple priorities in order to meet targeted deadlines.
  • You are reliable and flexible in a fast-paced work environment.
  • You are capable of mastering new technology in the department, and willing to assist others.
  • You are interested in public speaking and giving presentations.
  • You enjoy analyzing and resolving complex challenges.
  • You take initiative where you proactively address situations and exercise some independent judgment.

Apply Now
Submit your application and resume online at governmentjobs.com or to the Human Resources Department; City of Mountain View, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 903-6309. Please provide a valid email address on your application. This recruitment will close at 5:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, July 28,or until 250 applications have been received, whichever occurs first.

01

Do you possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, housing, or a closely related field?
  • Yes
  • I possess a bachelor's degree, but in a different area of study
  • No

02

Do you possess a valid California Class C drivers license?
  • Yes
  • No

03

What is the field in which you obtained your bachelor's degree (Ex: Urban Planning)?
04

Do you possess a master's degree? Select the option that best describes your educational background.
  • I possess a master's degree in urban planning, housing, transportation planning, sustainability, or architecture from an accredited college or university
  • I possess a master's degree in another field from an accredited college or university
  • I am in the process of completing a master's degree in one of the aforementioned fields from an accredited college or university and expect to graduate within a year.
  • I do not possess a master's degree

05

Do you possess local government work experience in California?
  • Yes
  • No

06

Are you a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)?
  • Yes, I am a member
  • I am an AICP candidate
  • No

07

Do you possess a degree, certification, or professional experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Please briefly describe your planning experience as it relates to the areas of urban planning, including years of experience and your scope of responsibilities, if any. Internship experience can be included. If you do not have any relevant work experience, please write "N/A".
09

Please describe your project management experience, including a brief description of one example project that demonstrates how you worked with other departments, outside agencies/groups and/or classmates to complete the work. If you have local government work experience, please use a project/permit from your work in that role.
Required Question

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