The Planning and Community Development Department is excited to announce an opening for an Associate Planner. This position will be assigned to the Community Planning Section. This recruitment is open continuous with first consideration given to those who apply by Month, Date 2026. This recruitment may close at any time. Apply today! THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate is a customer-focused team player who possesses excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with knowledge and experience in community planning (i.e., advanced, long-range planning). The ideal candidate is also an effective problem-solver who combines technical experience with excellent communication skills. The city offers outstanding benefits, including 9/80 schedules with alternative Fridays off as well as eligibility for the Hybrid Work Program after one year of employment.
The Planning and Community Development Department is excited to announce an opening for an Associate Planner. This position will be assigned to the Community Planning Section.
This recruitment is open continuous with first consideration given to those who apply by Month, Date 2026. This recruitment may close at any time. Apply today!
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate is a customer-focused team player who possesses excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with knowledge and experience in community planning (i.e., advanced, long-range planning). The ideal candidate is also an effective problem-solver who combines technical experience with excellent communication skills.
The city offers outstanding benefits, including 9/80 schedules with alternative Fridays off as well as eligibility for the Hybrid Work Program after one year of employment.
Position Duties
The following list represents some of the essential functions of the position. Assignments may vary. For more detailed information, please refer to the job description for Associate Planner . Assigned work is made under immediate supervision, allowing for some latitude in the formulation of solutions and responsibility for accomplishing projects. Work review is not constant but checks and reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions. Research, collect, analyze, comprehend, prepare, and interpret data related to land use matters, such as, but not limited to: zoning/land use regulations; environmental factors; population and social economic trends; transportation, housing, economic and development trends; and other related factors. Prepare summaries, technical assistance, and recommendations to their supervisor on data related to land use matters, in consideration of state legislation, local legislation and policies. Prepares and assists in the preparation of Zoning Code and General Plan amendments, implementation tracking, and annual reporting. Manage Master Plan land use applications for larger, phased development projects, such as institutions (e.g., private schools, medical uses). Includes conducting review and reporting of existing Master Plans as well as review of plan submittals for sites with a Master Plan. Evaluate proposed development projects for compliance with adopted requirements by conducting a detailed review of Zoning Code, Specific Plan, General Plan, and existing Conditions of Approval. Confer with applicants to identify problems and propose methods to resolve noncompliance issues. Perform field surveys to inform the review and research process, and upon completion of projects, to ensure conformance with applicable requirements; discuss recommendations and noncompliance with applicants. Prepare hearing notices, decision letters, and staff reports. Primarily makes presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council. On occasion, you may make presentations to the Hearing Officer or a Council committee. These meetings occur in the evenings. Provide customer service, on a limited basis, at the Zoning public counter and via email, advising residents and the development community regarding City development procedures, processes and Zoning Code regulations. May conduct and/or participate in presentations to residents and neighborhood groups outside of normal work hours (e.g. evenings). May assist in the supervision of interns and technicians.
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The following list represents some of the essential functions of the position. Assignments may vary. For more detailed information, please refer to the job description for Associate Planner .
Assigned work is made under immediate supervision, allowing for some latitude in the formulation of solutions and responsibility for accomplishing projects. Work review is not constant but checks and reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.
Research, collect, analyze, comprehend, prepare, and interpret data related to land use matters, such as, but not limited to: zoning/land use regulations; environmental factors; population and social economic trends; transportation, housing, economic and development trends; and other related factors.
Prepare summaries, technical assistance, and recommendations to their supervisor on data related to land use matters, in consideration of state legislation, local legislation and policies.
Prepares and assists in the preparation of Zoning Code and General Plan amendments, implementation tracking, and annual reporting.
Manage Master Plan land use applications for larger, phased development projects, such as institutions (e.g., private schools, medical uses). Includes conducting review and reporting of existing Master Plans as well as review of plan submittals for sites with a Master Plan.
Evaluate proposed development projects for compliance with adopted requirements by conducting a detailed review of Zoning Code, Specific Plan, General Plan, and existing Conditions of Approval. Confer with applicants to identify problems and propose methods to resolve noncompliance issues.
Perform field surveys to inform the review and research process, and upon completion of projects, to ensure conformance with applicable requirements; discuss recommendations and noncompliance with applicants.
Prepare hearing notices, decision letters, and staff reports. Primarily makes presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council. On occasion, you may make presentations to the Hearing Officer or a Council committee. These meetings occur in the evenings.
Provide customer service, on a limited basis, at the Zoning public counter and via email, advising residents and the development community regarding City development procedures, processes and Zoning Code regulations.
May conduct and/or participate in presentations to residents and neighborhood groups outside of normal work hours (e.g. evenings).
May assist in the supervision of interns and technicians.
Minimum Qualifications
CORE COMPETENCIES The following list represents some of the core competencies for this position; see the job descriptions for more detailed information: Adaptability – Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires. Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products. Critical Thinking - Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims. Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectations of customers. Legal and Regulatory Navigation - Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships. Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability. Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals. Writing - Communicating effectively in writing. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, geography, public administration, or a closely related field. Two years of recent paraprofessional planning experience in one or more of the following areas: zoning, historic preservation, design review, redevelopment, and/or planning research. Applicants with experience in community (i.e. advance, long-range) planning will be deemed most qualified. SELECTION PROCESS The selection process will consist of any combination of application evaluation, written exam, oral panel interview, department interview and may be required to complete a brief soft-skills assessment during the selection process. The candidate assessment provides insight into core interpersonal skills, behavioral traits, and preferred work environment, helping us support your success in the role. This position is part of the Pasadena Management Association bargaining unit. The probationary test period is one year. VACANCIES As a result of the selection process, an eligible list of candidates will be established which will be used to fill this vacancy and other similar vacancies that may occur in the future. There is currently one vacancy in the Community Planning section of the Planning and Community Development Department.
CORE COMPETENCIES The following list represents some of the core competencies for this position; see the job descriptions for more detailed information:
Adaptability – Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
Critical Thinking - Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
Legal and Regulatory Navigation - Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
Relationship Building - Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
Self-Management - Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, geography, public administration, or a closely related field.
Two years of recent paraprofessional planning experience in one or more of the following areas: zoning, historic preservation, design review, redevelopment, and/or planning research.
Applicants with experience in community (i.e. advance, long-range) planning will be deemed most qualified.
Other Qualifications
Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record may be required for some assignments.
Benefits
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage our defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers. Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) and 2.7% at 57 benefit formula (if a safety employee). Employees who are deemed “Classic” members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system such as the Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement System (LACERA) or Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS) will receive the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) or 3% at 55 benefit formula (if a safety employee). A CalPERS “Classic” member is a member who previously worked for a California public agency and meets the following criteria: First established CalPERS membership or membership in a CalPERS reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013, And is hired by the City of Pasadena after a break in service of less than six months And did not have concurrent (overlapping) service with the other agency.
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage our defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers.
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) and 2.7% at 57 benefit formula (if a safety employee).
Employees who are deemed “Classic” members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system such as the Los Angeles County Employees’ Retirement System (LACERA) or Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS) will receive the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) or 3% at 55 benefit formula (if a safety employee). A CalPERS “Classic” member is a member who previously worked for a California public agency and meets the following criteria:
First established CalPERS membership or membership in a CalPERS reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013,
And is hired by the City of Pasadena after a break in service of less than six months
And did not have concurrent (overlapping) service with the other agency.
Supplemental Questions
Yes
No
Less than 2 years
Between 2 and 3 years
Between 3 and 4 years
More than 4 years
I have no experience in this activity.
I have assisted others in doing this.
I have done this independently but not extensively.
I have done this as a regular part of my job duties.
I have trained/coached others in performing this activity.
I have managed a consultant to perform this activity.
Required Question
About City of Pasadena, CA
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