JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The City of Monterey is currently recruiting for a full-time Associate Planner in the Community Development Department. The position serves as an integral role reviewing current planning applications and stewarding advanced planning work program items. The department includes a diverse team of professionals in planning, project management, environmental compliance, housing, property management, historic preservation, sustainability, and architectural disciplines serving five (5) individual boards/commissions including the City Council. The position offers a unique opportunity for an individual interested in a variety of topics including progressive mixed-use redevelopment in a culturally-significant community.

**All applicants must apply online at Governmentjobs.com/careers/montereyca, by March 26, 2026, at 11:59pm**

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:

Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

SUMMARY:

Under general direction, reviews planning and permit applications and project plans and verifies compliance with state and federal laws, and City policies and procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the entry level of the planning series. It differs from the next higher class of Senior Associate Planner in that the latter performs the more difficult professional planning work and projects and functions as a lead over or supervises subordinate staff.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review planning and permit applications, and architectural/engineering plans for compliance with state and federal laws, and City codes, policies, and procedures.
• Write environmental analysis reports for compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Conduct entry level studies and develop elements and revisions for the City General Plan, serve as lead planner on specific plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance and other ordinance amendments.
• Conduct studies and develop components and revisions for the City General Plan, other land use plans, and ordinances; may serve as primary specialist for an assigned portion of City planning functions.
• Provide customer service, information, and recommendations within scope of authority.
• Collect, compile and analyze technical planning data using specialized software applications.
• Prepare and present reports and recommendations to decision-makers.
• Work with concerned citizens to encourage cooperative solutions to planning problems and issues.
• Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Perform other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university in Urban Planning or a closely related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of professional planning experience working with land use development problems and issues, or completion of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, or closely related field and one (1) year of professional planning experience working with land use development problems and issues.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Info

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, policies, rules and regulations governing planning and development, including California Environmental Quality Act, and California Coastal Act of 1976.
• Principles of urban planning, growth management, community development, land use, and permitting.
• Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.
• Customer service methods and techniques.

Skill in:

• Researching and analyzing the factors and components affecting community planning projects.
• Checking designs, details, estimates, plans, specifications, and reports of planning projects.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized applications, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

BENEFITS

The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!