Demo

Assistant/Associate Planner

City of Orange
City of Orange Salary
Chapman, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/18/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/3/2026



Join the City of Orange Community Development Department
as an Assistant or Associate Planner!
(The level of position offered will be based on the qualifications of the most suitable candidate.)

To ensure your application is considered, apply by Sunday, May 3rd - the recruitment may close at any time after that date.

Click here to learn more about the City's Community Development Department!

Why work for the City of Orange?
 
  • Employees enjoy the perks of working within Old Towne Orange where our Metrolink, parks, shops, and restaurants are all just a short walk away!
  • You will have every other Friday OFF! This role offers a “9/80 work schedule” which means we work 9-hour days Monday through Thursday, and just an 8-hour day every other Friday. That equates to 26 Fridays off per year!
  • Your retirement will include a pension through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).  Classic CalPERS members joining Orange will enjoy the 2.7% @ age 55 formula!
  • We provide a generous amount towards the purchase of healthcare insurance plans, but if you do not need insurance through the City, you will be eligible for a portion of that money as income.
  • We offer Tuition Reimbursement benefits, and we are a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Our Wellness Program offers reimbursement for various wellness expenses including gym memberships, weights, and exercise equipment, providing employees with resources, social support, and strategies to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Historically, City Hall is closed between Christmas Day through New Year’s Day for a holiday break.

In the City of Orange’s Community Development Department, you can:

  • Expand the scope of your professional experience and abilities through working on a wide variety of projects.
  • Perform work that protects and promotes the built environment and cultural history of the community.
  • Engage with staff from all City departments and community members who are passionate about Orange. 
  • Be part of a team that embraces having fun while being productive and innovative at work.  

DEFINITION OF THE POSITION

Under direct and general supervision, Assistant and Associate Planners perform 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; provide project management and administration; complete technical assessments and prepares written project analysis; provides environmental review and project analysis for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and special projects in advance planning; provide professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provide complex professional staff assistance to the Planning Manager, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; perform a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and perform related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Assistant and Associate Planners receive direct and general supervision from the Community Development Department management staff.  Exercise no direct supervision over staff.  May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.
Click here for the full Assistant Planner job description.

Click here for the full Associate Planner job description.
See the job descriptions referenced above to review the knowledge, skills, and abilities that qualified candidates will possess.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical and ideal way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Assistant Planner: Bachelor's degree with major coursework in urban planning, community development, or a related field. One (1) year of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities.  Experience applying historic preservation principles is highly desirable.  Experience preparing and presenting municipal code amendments is highly desirable.


Associate Planner: Bachelor's degree with major coursework in urban planning, community development, or a related field. Three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities, or two (2) years of experience as Assistant Planner at the City of Orange.  Experience applying historic preservation principles is highly desirable. Experience preparing and presenting municipal code amendments is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid California Class C Driver's License with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking 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 and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee’s physical presence at the workplace.  May be required to work various shifts, including, but not limited to, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, at a variety of City locations.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Worker:

All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.”  In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers.   Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
 
 
City Mission, Vision, and Values:

Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors.  As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community.  The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.

Salary : $71,292 - $108,852

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Assistant/Associate Planner?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Assistant/Associate Planner career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$49,359 - $62,131
Income Estimation: 
$59,158 - $74,794
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at City of Orange

  • City of Orange Chapman, CA
  • Join the City of Orange Community Development Department as a Senior Planner ! To ensure your application is considered, apply by Sunday, May 10th - the re... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • City of Orange Orange, CA
  • JOIN THE CITY OF ORANGE AS A WATER QUALITY INSPECTOR! Under general supervision, performs a variety of chemical, physical, biological, and bacteriological ... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • City of Orange Orange, CA
  • The City of Orange Community and Library Services Department is looking for one new Assistant Recreation Services Coordinators to join our Evening and Week... more
  • 5 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Assistant/Associate Planner jobs in the Chapman, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • City of Huntington Beach Huntington, CA
  • This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on March 3,... more
  • 2 Months Ago

  • Vans Costa Mesa, CA
  • Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next? Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our... more
  • 27 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!