Assistant Planner (Open-Competitive)

This recruitment will close on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time.


Definition: Under limited supervision, performs professional-level current and/or long-range planning work.

The City of El Segundo, incorporated in 1917, is a unique, quaint city by the sea. Home to approximately 17,000 residents and over 75,000 private sector employees of major aeronautical, sports, media, industrial and multiple Fortune 500 companies including Mattel, Chevron and most recently, the Los Angeles Times and Beyond Meat. Further, El Segundo has become the headquarters for major sports franchises, including the LA Lakers, LA Chargers and LA Kings. As the economy broadens, El Segundo is becoming home to a variety of high tech and “creative economy” start-up companies. This is reflected in the City motto "Where Big Ideas Take Off!"Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Position in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities:

• Receives and reviews permit applications; 
• Assesses fees; 
• Establishes conditions for project approval, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, ordinances, regulations and City policies; 
• Recommends methods to reconcile project conflicts with zoning requirements and state environmental laws; 
• Performs final inspections; 
• Ensures collection of designated fees; 
• Conducts research for planning projects involving land use, populations, economic activities, housing, transportation and related subjects; 
• Confers with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems; 
• Conducts and participates in interdepartmental planning reviews; 
• Advises applicants on the status of projects; 
• Conducts plan check reviews of commercial, industrial and residential construction projects; 
• Reviews business license applications for conformance with municipal code requirements; 
• Recommends and/or creates graphic examples to illustrate alternatives to specific project elements; 
• Reviews final working drawings to ensure compliance with approved projects; 
• Drafts ordinances and amendments; prepares professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions and recommendations, and presents reports at Planning Commission hearings; 
• Confers with and advises architects, engineers, attorneys, developers and the general public regarding City planning and zoning procedures and processes; and
• Responds to inquiries and provides information at the counter, by telephone and through correspondence.

Knowledge, Skills and Other Characteristics:
To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

• Planning and environmental principles and practices, laws, ordinances, rules and related regulations; 
• Site planning and architectural design; and
• Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the planning field.

Skill in:

• Reading and interpreting maps, plans and legal descriptions; 
• Planning and organizing work; 
• Preparing and presenting reports; 
• Applying applicable laws and regulations to planning projects; 
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing; 
• Dealing constructively with conflict and developing effective solutions; 
• Operating typical office equipment, including personal computer and standard office programs; and
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with governmental officials, other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:
A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: A Bachelors degree with major coursework in Planning, Environmental Design, Architecture or a related field.
Experience: Two (2) years of planning experience.
Licensing/Certification Requirements: A valid California driver's license.
Working Conditions: Occasional exposure to weather conditions.

Salary : $6,578 - $7,996