Planning Technician

Planning Technician

Salary

$5,617.73 - $7,527.87 Monthly

Location

City Hall - 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-39

Department

Community Development

Division

Planning

Opening Date

09/09/2026

Closing Date

9/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Launch your career and build a strong foundation in municipal planning with the City of Tustin. We are seeking an enthusiastic, customer-focused Planning Technician to serve as a vital first point of contact for the Community Development Department. This entry-level opportunity offers aspiring urban planning professionals hands-on experience in development review, zoning, and land-use research. The ideal candidate will have a passion for public service, strong communication skills, attention to detail, can-do initiative, and an eagerness to learn from an experienced and collaborative team.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Desirable Experience & Knowledge

• Foundational Background: A bachelors degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, environmental studies, or a closely related field (or equivalent combination of education, internship, or entry-level administrative experience) is desirable.
• Baseline Understanding: Basic familiarity with urban planning principles, local government functions, zoning concepts, or reading simple maps and site plans.
• Tech-Savviness: Comfort using digital permitting software, GIS tools, and standard office software to track applications and manage public records.

Essential Skills

• Clear Communication: Ability to break down administrative procedures, zoning forms, and basic city codes into clear, easy-to-understand written and verbal explanations for the public.
• Detail-Oriented Review: Care and precision in screening planning applications, intake forms, and site plans for missing items before routing them to technical staff.
• Organization & Adaptability: Capability to multitask effectively at a busy public service counter, keeping inquiries organized while learning municipal policies on the job.

Key Qualities

• Welcoming: Serves as a warm, positive first point of contact for the Planning division, ensuring residents, business owners, and applicants feel valued and supported from their very first interaction.
• Diplomatic: Handles sensitive questions, community concerns, or frustrated visitors with patience, neutrality, and professional grace.
• Genuine: Brings authenticity, reliability, and care to public service, building trust with the community and department staff through honest and helpful assistance.
• Approachable: Maintains an open, friendly, and patient demeanor that puts first-time applicants and seasoned property owners at ease as they navigate the planning process.
• Open-Minded: Embraces diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and constructive feedback; readily adapts as City programs, technologies, and public needs evolve.
• Initiative: Actively looks for ways to contribute to the City team, enjoys looking for ways to improve workplace processes and adopt new technologies.
• Enjoys a Positive Workplace Culture: Knows how to have fun while working, bringing energy, good humor, and a collaborative spirit to the team while maintaining high professional standards.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department is comprised of the Planning, Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, Historic Preservation, Housing, and Economic Development divisions. Community Development manages and promotes the overall well-being of a community by overseeing initiatives that encourage economic growth, improve quality of life, and facilitate responsible development through planning, housing programs, business recruitment, code enforcement, and building permits, all while considering the needs of residents and businesses within the area.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The first step in the selection process is a training and experience evaluation of each candidate based on the application materials submitted. Candidates whose qualifications are determined to best meet the needs of the position will be invited to complete a one-way video interview (week of 10/5). Based on video interviews, the best qualified candidates will subsequently be invited to participate in a structured panel interview (week of 11/2). Finalists will participate in follow-up interviews (week of 11/9). Dates are tentative and may change if necessary.

All candidates who pass the panel interview will earn placement on the eligible list, which is valid for one (1) year and may be used for current and future vacancies in the job classification.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the analysis and interpretation of social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; assists in the preparation of written reports on various planning and environmental matters
• Compiles basic information and makes recommendations on special studies of a limited scope
• Researches and drafts ordinances for review by supervisor
• Reviews basic re-zoning, variances, conditional use permits, design review, and other planning related applications; assists with preparing legal notices to public hearings; assists with preparing reports pertaining to advisability and permissibility of the requests; confers with property owners and petitioners regarding effects and implications of zoning and development actions
• Reviews basic building plans and other development related applications for conformance with appropriate regulations and conditions of approval
• Assists the public at the front counter and on the phone, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, development standards, and approved development proposals
• Enters and updates information in permit software database

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. A typical combination includes:

Education and/or Experience:

Current enrollment in a college or university and completion of two (2) years of college in pursuit of a bachelors degree in urban or regional planning, architecture, or a related field. Completion of a bachelors degree and experience as a planning-related student intern are desirable.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Special Requirements:

Satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical examination and administrative screening.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

To view an extensive list of the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of the position, follow the link here.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Information on the physical demands, mental demands, and work environment can be found by following the link here.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The City of Tustin offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit program that includes:

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN

The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee to use toward the purchase of individual or family health coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, additional life insurance, deferred compensation, and other optional benefits. Currently, the flexible benefit amount for Employee + 2 is $2125 per month.

The City contracts through CalPERS medical program (PEMHCA) which offers multiple PPO and HMO options for health insurance providers. Employees also have the choice of Delta Dental PPO or HMO plans.

RETIREMENT

Employees will be enrolled in a defined benefit (pension) plan with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS determines the retirement plan in which a new employee will be enrolled based on the individuals membership status with CalPERS or a reciprocal retirement system on the individuals first day of employment with the City.

Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 60 plan, with an employee contribution of 10% (pre-tax). New CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, with an employee contribution of 7.25% (pre-tax). The City does not participate in Social Security, though participation Medicare is mandatory (1.45% employee contribution).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program and the City contracts with Nationwide Retirement Services.

GENERAL LEAVE

General Leave may be used for vacation and/or illness. Annual accrual amounts increase from 160 to 248 with years of service.

HOLIDAYS

The City has 13 paid holidays per calendar year.

LIFE INSURANCE

Full-Time employees receive a $100,000 life insurance policy.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE

The 9/80 alternative work schedule is available for most full-time positions.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE

Employees who retire from the City of Tustin with ten (10) years of full-time service and continue enrollment in the Citys health plan are eligible for reimbursement of $250 per month toward retiree health insurance costs. Employees first hired into a benefitted position with the City of Tustin prior to July 1, 2011 are eligible for this benefit after five (5) years of service.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

After passing the probationary period, employees may request reimbursement up to a maximum of $4000 per calendar year for tuition and related expenses when attending a community college or four year university.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of legal and counseling services.

MEDICARE

All newly hired employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage. The employee contribution to Medicare is 1.45%.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM

The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

SPECIALITY PAY

The City has specialty pay for designated positions. Examples of specialty pay include Bilingual Pay, Water Certificate Pay, Stand-by Pay, Call-Back Pay, and Shift Differential.

01

Which of the following best describes your education? Select the option that most closely applies.

• I possess a bachelors degree or higher in Urban or Regional Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• I have completed at least two years of college and am currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• None of the above.

02

Please provide the name of your college or university, your major or field of study, and the degree earned or currently being pursued. If you are currently enrolled, include your anticipated graduation date. If you possess or are pursuing a masters degree, please also identify the degree program, institution, and completion or anticipated completion date.

03

Tell us why you are interested in a career in urban planning.

04

Describe your planning-related experience, including any employment, internships, volunteer assignments, academic projects, or other relevant experience. If you do not have planning-related experience, enter "N/A."

Required Question

Employer City of Tustin

Address 300 Centennial Way

Tustin, California, 92780

Phone (714) 573-3040

Website https://www.tustinca.org/216/Human-Resources