Associate Planner

Job Description:

Associate Planner

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Associate Planner

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list. The eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill a current and future Associate Planner vacancies within OC Public Works. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the Planner Series.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close on Thursday, January 08, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County is a desirable place to live and is one of the premier employers in the region, as well as the third largest populated County in California. At the County you will find a variety, individual opportunity, job satisfaction, and the pleasure of working with colleagues who are dedicated to making a positive difference. You can learn more about the County of Orange by clicking here .

O C PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of 10 service areas, each of which directly impacts the quality of life for Orange County residents and the private sector. OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, cities, and other County agencies and departments. The primary mission is to protect and enrich Orange County communities through the sustainable delivery of projects and services.

Click here for more information about OC Public Works.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Public Works is seeking an Associate Planner who is able to conduct research for technical and analytical planning projects, implement long-range land use plans, prepare policies, ordinances, and regulations as it relates to land use, disseminate information to the public on Zoning Codes and other related regulations and perform other responsibilities as needed.

The job duties listed below are examples of the various types of work that may be performed, but is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties:

• Provides information to members of the public, other County agencies/departments, and representatives of external agencies regarding the General Plan, the Zoning Code, and other related planning programs, policies, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepares reports related to housing units, permit issuance and other data for California Department of Finance, U.S. Census Bureau, California Department of Housing and Community Development, Center for Demographics and Research at CSUF, and Southern California Association of Governments.
• Plans, conducts, and organizes research related to land use, zoning, demographic trends, housing, and environmental compliance, in coordination with land use proposals, permits, applications, or as otherwise needed.
• Analyzes and interprets social, economic, transportation, population, and land use data and trends, and prepares written and statistical reports to local, state, and federal agencies.
• Reviews applications and permits for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the Zoning Code and applicable regulations.
• Evaluates land use requests and has knowledge of implementation of long-range land use plans.
• Reviews staff reports for compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Prepares memos, letters, and staff reports, along with recommendations regarding development proposals and/or public projects.
• Presents recommendations to Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, and/or Subdivision Committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will also have knowledge and experience related to the following core competencies:

Planning Knowledge | Experience

• Knowledge of planning and land use principles
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to planning and zoning
• Ability to deliver information to stakeholders regarding development proposals, regulations, and/or ordinances
• Knowledge and ability to utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) or comparable mapping tools
• Proficient in research and statistical methods
• Understanding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and related laws and regulations
• Ability to operate and skillfully use software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite

Leadership Skills

• Ability to foster a collaborative approach that supports compliance and quality improvement efforts
• Provides information necessary for decision making and engages all levels of participants
• Ability to lead the work of interns, staff, and/or consultants on individual assignments or projects
• Ability to plan and carry out work independently

Analytical Skills

• Approaches problems and decisions methodically while considering the needs of the County, department, and community
• Analyzes, researches, organizes, accurately interprets, and applies relevant data to projects
• Identifies solutions and recommendations to address potential impacts and concerns

Relationship Building | Effective Communication Skills

• Prepares and delivers effective written and verbal communication with various audiences
• Creates conducive working relationships
• Uses diplomacy when dealing with challenging situations and/or people
• Ability to provide effective consultation and advice to land or property owners, builders, and members of the public on compliance with codes and regulatory practices
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to external and internal stakeholders, such as County agencies/departments, management, consultants, contractors, and the general public

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the Minimum Qualifications for the Associate Planner classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental conditions.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.) .

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen applications and supplemental responses for those minimum and desirable qualifications, that are most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Brandy Soria at Brandy.Soria@ssa.ocgov.com or (714) 245-4580.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 1/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$89,648.00 - $120,848.00 Annually