Associate Planner

Associate Planner – City of Ojai

The City of Ojai is seeking an experienced and community‑oriented Associate Planner to join our Community Development team. This position provides an opportunity to participate in meaningful planning and land‑use work in a unique, engaged, and highly valued community.

Under direction, the Associate Planner performs a full range of professional current and advance planning duties, zoning review, environmental analysis, and code enforcement. This is a journey‑level position that exercises independent judgment, prepares technical reports, and provides high‑level support to the Director of Community Development.

This position will also have scheduled Planning Counter hours, serving as a primary point of contact for members of the public, applicants, architects, developers, and community members seeking planning, zoning, or development information.

The role additionally includes responsibility for conducting zoning and code enforcement, including responding to complaints, inspecting sites, ensuring compliance with city ordinances, and working collaboratively with residents to resolve issues.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of local planning, zoning, development review, and CEQA processes
• Excellent communication skills, especially when working with the public at the Planning Counter
• Ability to balance customer service expectations with enforcement responsibilities
• Experience preparing planning reports, presenting at public meetings, and interpreting complex ordinances
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects independently
• Commitment to fostering positive, collaborative relationships with the community and City staff

Salary: $43.81 to $53.26 per hour

Deferred Compensation:
City matches the greater of 3% of salary or $200/month.

Retirement:
Participation in CalPERS and Social Security.

Health Insurance:
Access to CalPERS health plans. City pays 100% of employee and 80% of dependent premiums (up to PERS Platinum rate).

Dental & Vision Insurance:
City pays 100% of employee premium.

Disability Insurance:
City paid short‑ and long‑term disability.

Life/AD&D Insurance: $30,000 City paid policy.

Holidays: 13 paid holidays annually.

Vacation:
Starts at 88 hours per year, with increases based on service.

Sick Leave: 96 hours per year.

The City of Ojai is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Ojai will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the city.

This is the full journey level in the professional Planner class series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Planner level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including responsibility for the application of professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects. Responsibilities include the preparation of specific reports and plans with opportunity for working independently and exercising judgment and initiative.

Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Associate Planner level are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant Planner level with three years of experience and successful performance reviews.

When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have prior related experience which allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the Associate Planner level.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level staff.

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

• Check plans submitted by developers and the public; review applications for completeness and accuracy.
• Oversee,…