Associate Planner

Overview

The Community and Economic Development Department brings together Building & Safety, Planning, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Economic Development to keep Fullerton safe, vibrant, and growing. The team ensures development is well planned, safe, and ready for the future. They administer and enforce the City’s Zoning Code, Municipal Code, General Plan, and adopted Building Codes while providing services like permit issuance, plan reviews, construction inspections, housing programs, and responding to code concerns.

Their goal is to support safe, orderly growth that respects Fullerton’s heritage and creates opportunities.

Our Planning team is looking for an Associate Planner who will take on hands‑on work making a real difference. This journey‑level role involves digging into complex projects, working with great people, and seeing efforts shape neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces.

• Coordinating environmental and community planning projects.
• Reviewing residential, commercial, and industrial development plans.
• Visiting sites to ensure projects meet City standards and zoning rules.
• Preparing reports, drafting ordinances, and making recommendations.
• Presenting your work to community groups, committees, and commissions.
• Helping residents, architects, and developers understand the planning process.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Engineering, or Geography.
• Experience: Minimum one year (two years preferred) of professional planning experience at the Assistant Planner level.
• Knowledge of:
  • Urban and regional planning principles
  • CEQA & Subdivision Map Act
  • Zoning codes, land use regulations, and plan review processes
• Skills:
  • Strong analysis and report‑writing
  • Reading/interpreting maps, site plans, and engineering scales
  • Clear, professional communication with a wide range of people

Under general supervision, perform a variety of professional‑level and technical municipal planning work. Tasks include analyzing assignments, reviewing proposals/projects, coordinating projects, compiling data, drafting reports, ordinances, and correspondence.

• A valid Class C California driver’s license or arrangements for timely transportation for field travel.
• Compliance with the City of Fullerton’s Conflict of Interest Code (file financial disclosure statements).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate City needs.

Work performed indoors and outdoors. May be exposed to elements. Travels locally on City business. Requires sitting, using basic hand tools, operating camera, computer, and lifting boxes up to 30 lbs. Physical requirements include mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing, and dexterity.

Applicants must attach a resume. Assessment may include written exam, performance test, oral interview, or other methods. Successful candidates placed on eligible list for at least one year.

• Employment offers are conditional on background check, including fingerprinting.
• Probationary period: 12 months for appointees, 6 months for regular employees promoted.
• These provisions may be modified or revoked without notice.
• Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for disabilities.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S. (Immigration Reform and Control Act).

Competitive compensation, benefits, professional development opportunities, and the satisfaction of contributing to Fullerton’s growth.

Future general salary increase – 3% increase effective July 2026.

Municipal employees are disaster service workers and must take the oath of service. Driver enrollment in DMV Government Pull Notice Program stated earlier.

The City of Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation. The City is committed to accessibility and will provide reasonable accommodations.