Assistant/Associate Planner (Community Development)

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

• Assistant Planner - $36.44 - $48.83 Hourly DOQ
• Associate Planner - $40.22 - $53.89 Hourly DOQ
• Benefits
  • Medical Insurance options include HMO, PPO, HSA
  • Dental and Vision Insurance Paid
  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation
  • Deferred Compensation
  • CalPERS Retirement
  • Educational Incentive & Bilingual Pay

A New Opportunity and what you’ll do…

The City of Ventura Community Development Planning Division is looking for two Assistant Planners/Associate Planners with a well-rounded knowledge of planning principles to join the team!  An ideal candidate will enjoy using their communication skills to work with the public, and make presentations to staff and decision-making bodies. New team members will use their creative thinking and process improvement skills to help[ identify process implementation improvement opportunities to improve public engagement and collaboration to promote and support community goals and economic development.

Currently, there are two Assistant/Associate Planner full-time positions available. Positions are flexibly staffed and can be filled at either level depending on qualifications.

Reporting to a Principal Planner, the Assistant/Associate Planners will collaborate with a team of 10 Planning Division staff to assist applicants working on projects throughout the community. Planners are responsible for professional planning work involving land use planning, environmental analysis, historic preservation, design review, public policy and ordinance development, technology for case processing, and housing development related programs. The Assistant/Associate Planners operate with some immediate supervision in connection with the preparation of staff reports and case management, allowing for the opportunity for independent judgment in the planning work, analysis of municipal code and general plan policies and latest land use and environmental regulations.

Experience and Qualifications for Success!

A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in City  Planning, Architecture, Environmental Studies, Economics or closely related field, and depending on assignment, qualifying experience as described below, in the following areas: land use planning, economic development, environmental analysis, historic preservation, design review, general plan policy and ordinance development, green technology in economic development,  or CDBG/HOME programs.

• Assistant Planner: One year of responsible professional planning experience or project management experience in assigned area.
• Associate Planner: Three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience or project management and program development experience in assigned area. A related master's degree is highly desirable. Prior experience in historic preservation, urban design, and working with community councils and advisory boards is highly desirable.

Licenses: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

Certificates: AICP certification is desirable.

Apply Now!

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline or first review date at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail.  Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Start Your Journey… Follow the Process

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline. 
• A select number of candidates will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Select candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted via video teleconference. Selected applicants will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at  City of Ventura Jobs or by clicking here Assistant Planner and Associate Planner .

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact any of the Human Resources Recruitment Team at [email protected].  or Melanie Hanisco at [email protected].

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: [email protected]. 

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!